Azamour
Encyclopedia
Azamour is a retired Thoroughbred
racehorse
and active sire. He won four Group One
races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was Europe's Champion Older Horse in 2005. At his peak, he was rated the third best thoroughbred racehorse in the world.
. He was bred in Ireland and raced by the Aga Khan
. His sire, Night Shift, was a son Northern Dancer
who is regarded as the 20th century’s best sire of sires, while his dam was Asmara, a daughter of Lear Fan, a Group One
winning son of Roberto
.
Apart from Azamour, Night Shift sired many good racehorses in a long stud career, including the multiple Group One winning filly In The Groove
and the leading steeplechaser Well Chief
, as well as Lochangel (Nunthorpe Stakes
), Barons Pit (Diadem Stakes) and Nicolotte (Queen Anne Stakes
). Azamour's dam Asmara won the Listed
Trigo Stakes in 1996 and was a half-sister of the Prix Ganay
winner Astarabad. Apart from Azamour, her best foal has been Arazan, who won the Group Two Futurity Stakes
in 2008.
Azamour was trained throughout his career by John Oxx
at his base near the Curragh
, and ridden in nine of his twelve races by Michael Kinane
.
. He made his debut in a race for maidens on September 14, 2003, ridden by Johnny Murtagh
. Starting at 7/4 he led three furlongs from the finish and won "easily" by two and a half lengths.
He was stepped up in class and distance four weeks later, when he contested the Group Two
Beresford Stakes
over a mile on soft (officially "yielding") ground. Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in a field which included runners from the leading stables of Aidan O'Brien
, Jim Bolger
and Dermot Weld
. Murtagh tracked the leader Relaxed Gesture
throughout the race and Azamour stayed on under pressure in the straight to take the lead inside the last furlong and win by a neck.
Relaxed Gesture was highly regarded by Dermot Weld, and Azamour was identified by some observers as a colt who could go on to better things in 2004.
2000 Guineas at Newmarket
. He was largely ignored in the betting and started at 25/1, but exceeded expectations, staying on strongly up the centre of the straight mile course and finishing third, beaten just under three lengths, behind Haafhd
and Snow Ridge.
As a result of his performance at Newmarket, Azamour was made 6/4 favourite for the Irish 2000 Guineas
at the Curragh Racecourse
three weeks later. Kinane had Azamour just behind the leaders for most of the race before moving into the lead a furlong from the finish, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the English-trained Bachelor Duke.
Azamour was then sent back to England for the Royal Ascot meeting, where he faced a strong field, including Haafhd and Bachelor Duke in the St. James's Palace Stakes
. Azamour produced his best performance to date, taking the lead in the straight and running on strongly under pressure to hold off the French-trained Diamond Green by a neck. The performance established Azamour as one of the best milers in Europe, but Oxx suggested that the colt's future lay over longer distances.
Oxx withdrew Azamour from the International Stakes
at York
after being concerned that his horse would be unsuited by the soft ground. He had therefore been off the course for almost three months before he ran again, this time against older horses, in the Irish Champion Stakes
. Kinane held the colt up in last place before making his challenge in the straight. Azamour produced a powerful, sustained run (described by RTÉ
as a "blistering flourish") to move past the entire field, catching Norse Dancer in the last strides and winning by half a length. The beaten horses included the Group One winners Powerscourt
, Grey Swallow, Rakti
and the odds-on favourite Doyen
.
On his final start of the season, Azamour returned to Newmarket's Rowley Mile course for the Champion Stakes
. He was again held up, before making headway in the closing stages, but could never reach the lead, and finished third of the eleven runners, beaten three and a half lengths by Haafhd. Oxx was not particularly disappointed, explaining that the colt was unsuited by the soft ground. Oxx also stated that, unlike most of the Aga Khan's horses, Azamour would stay in training as a four-year-old and nominated the Tattersalls Gold Cup
, Prince of Wales's Stakes
and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as his targets.
in which he took fourth place behind Grey Swallow, Bago
and Ace. He was unable to find a clear run after Bago drifted across in the closing stages, and Kinane felt that he had been an unlucky loser.
Azamour was then sent to Royal "Ascot". Because of redevelopments at Ascot Racecourse
, all the course's fixtures were moved in 2005, with the Royal meeting taking place at York
. Azamour was made 11/8 favourite for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
, and justified his position by leading a furlong from the finish and beating Ace by one and a half lengths, with Elvstroem
, Warrsan
and Ouija Board among the also-rans.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, often regarded as Britain's most prestigious weight-for-age race was run at Newbury
in 2003. Azamour was made 5/2 favourite in a field which included Bago, Grey Swallow, Doyen and several other major winners, although the absence of top-class three-year-olds was noticable. Kinane held the colt up in last place before making "smooth" progress in the straight to take the lead inside the last quarter of a mile. He ran on strongly in the closing stages to record what one commentator called an "insultingly easy" win by one and a quarter lengths from Norse Dancer, with Bago third. In winning the race, Azamour broke the course record, which had stood for more the fifty years. Oxx described his colt as being "in a different league."
Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in his attempt to win a second Irish Champion Stakes in September, despite the presence of the Derby
winner Motivator
. As Kinane had been injured in a fall at the Curragh, Azamour was ridden by Christophe Soumillon
. Oxx expressed some concern about the situation, pointing out that Kinane had "a real rapport" with the horse. Azamour failed to reproduce his best form, and finished fifith of the ten runners behind Oratorio. Azamour came out of the race with a muscle injury, and was then forced to miss an intended run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
after suffering from a hoof abscess.
Azamour's final race was a challenge for the Breeders' Cup Turf
at Belmont Park
. He was held up as usual, but when Kinane attempted to make his move he was unable to find a space, and was forced to drop back and switch to the outside. Azamour made rapid progress in the closing stages, but his effort was too late, and he finished third behind Shirocco and Ace.
Azamour's retirement was announced shortky afterwards. Oxx paid tribute to the horse, calling him "phenomenal" and emphasising his toughness and ability to win over a range of distances.
.
Azamour was rated at 123, making him the ninth best horse in the world.
In the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
Azamour was rated at 126, making him the third best horse in the world, behind Hurricane Run
and Ghostzapper
.
His 2005 performances earned Azamour the title of European Champion Older Horse at the Cartier Racing Awards.
Azamour was also named Champion middle distance horse and Champion older horse by the British Horseracing Board.
Several years after Azamour's retirement, John Oxx pointed out the colt's similarities to Sea The Stars
, explaining that both horses had dominant temperaments- they were natural "herd leaders."
for the 2006 season, Azamour stands at his owners Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen
, Ireland
. His stud fee for 2011 is €15,000.
Azamour has produced three crops of foal of racing age and has had some success. His best offspring is probably Native Khan, winner of the Craven Stakes
. His other winners include Eleanors Duse (Blandford Stakes
), Azmeel (Dee Stakes
), Puncher Clynch {Ballysax Stakes
) and No Explaining (Gallorette Handicap
).
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
and active sire. He won four Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
races including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was Europe's Champion Older Horse in 2005. At his peak, he was rated the third best thoroughbred racehorse in the world.
Background
Azamour is a "powerful" bay horse standing 16.2 hands highHand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
. He was bred in Ireland and raced by the Aga Khan
Aga Khan IV
Prince Karim, Aga Khan IV, NPk, NI, KBE, CC, GCC, GCIH, GCM is the 49th and current Imam of the Shia Imami Nizari Ismaili Muslims. He has held this position under the title of Aga Khan since July 11, 1957, when, at the age of 20, he succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan...
. His sire, Night Shift, was a son Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer
Northern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history"....
who is regarded as the 20th century’s best sire of sires, while his dam was Asmara, a daughter of Lear Fan, a Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
winning son of Roberto
Roberto (horse)
Roberto was an American-bred Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who competed in Ireland and England.-Background:Roberto was bred by Galbreath at his Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. The son of the successful sire Hail To Reason out of the dam Bramalea, Roberto's grandsire was Turn-To, a...
.
Apart from Azamour, Night Shift sired many good racehorses in a long stud career, including the multiple Group One winning filly In The Groove
In the Groove
In the Groove may refer to:*"In the Groove" , classic jazz composition by Mary Lou Williams*In the Groove , music video game series produced by Roxor**In the Groove , first game in the series...
and the leading steeplechaser Well Chief
Well Chief
Well Chief is a race horse currently trained in Britain by David Pipe and owned by David Johnson.-Early life:He started his racing career as a Flat horse in Germany trained by Ralf Suerland and made his debut in a Listed race at Dortmund, which he won...
, as well as Lochangel (Nunthorpe Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes
The Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged two years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
), Barons Pit (Diadem Stakes) and Nicolotte (Queen Anne Stakes
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
). Azamour's dam Asmara won the Listed
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Trigo Stakes in 1996 and was a half-sister of the Prix Ganay
Prix Ganay
The Prix Ganay is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May....
winner Astarabad. Apart from Azamour, her best foal has been Arazan, who won the Group Two Futurity Stakes
Futurity Stakes (Ireland)
The Futurity Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
in 2008.
Azamour was trained throughout his career by John Oxx
John Oxx
John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his...
at his base near the Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
, and ridden in nine of his twelve races by Michael Kinane
Michael Kinane
Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009....
.
2003: two-year-old season
Azamour made two starts at age two, both at the CurraghCurragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
. He made his debut in a race for maidens on September 14, 2003, ridden by Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world...
. Starting at 7/4 he led three furlongs from the finish and won "easily" by two and a half lengths.
He was stepped up in class and distance four weeks later, when he contested the Group Two
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Beresford Stakes
Beresford Stakes
The Beresford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September or October....
over a mile on soft (officially "yielding") ground. Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in a field which included runners from the leading stables of Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
, Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger (racehorse trainer)
James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland...
and Dermot Weld
Dermot Weld
Dermot K. Weld is one of Ireland's most successful racehorse trainers. He holds the record for the most winners trained in Ireland ....
. Murtagh tracked the leader Relaxed Gesture
Relaxed Gesture
Relaxed Gesture is a thoroughbred racehorse known for winning the $2 million Canadian International Stakes in 2005. A chestnut stallion, he was bred and raced by Walter Haefner's Moyglare Stud Farm...
throughout the race and Azamour stayed on under pressure in the straight to take the lead inside the last furlong and win by a neck.
Relaxed Gesture was highly regarded by Dermot Weld, and Azamour was identified by some observers as a colt who could go on to better things in 2004.
2004: three-year-old season
After missing an intended run in the Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial, Azamour began his three-year-old season by going directly to the Group OneConditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
2000 Guineas at Newmarket
Newmarket Racecourse
The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping...
. He was largely ignored in the betting and started at 25/1, but exceeded expectations, staying on strongly up the centre of the straight mile course and finishing third, beaten just under three lengths, behind Haafhd
Haafhd
Haafhd is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion, best known for winning the 2000 Guineas and Champion Stakes in 2004.-Background:...
and Snow Ridge.
As a result of his performance at Newmarket, Azamour was made 6/4 favourite for the Irish 2000 Guineas
Irish 2000 Guineas
The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
at the Curragh Racecourse
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
three weeks later. Kinane had Azamour just behind the leaders for most of the race before moving into the lead a furlong from the finish, but was caught in the closing stages and beaten a neck by the English-trained Bachelor Duke.
Azamour was then sent back to England for the Royal Ascot meeting, where he faced a strong field, including Haafhd and Bachelor Duke in the St. James's Palace Stakes
St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
. Azamour produced his best performance to date, taking the lead in the straight and running on strongly under pressure to hold off the French-trained Diamond Green by a neck. The performance established Azamour as one of the best milers in Europe, but Oxx suggested that the colt's future lay over longer distances.
Oxx withdrew Azamour from the International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
after being concerned that his horse would be unsuited by the soft ground. He had therefore been off the course for almost three months before he ran again, this time against older horses, in the Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
. Kinane held the colt up in last place before making his challenge in the straight. Azamour produced a powerful, sustained run (described by RTÉ
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
as a "blistering flourish") to move past the entire field, catching Norse Dancer in the last strides and winning by half a length. The beaten horses included the Group One winners Powerscourt
Powerscourt
Powerscourt may refer to:*Viscount Powerscourt, title in the Irish peerage*Powerscourt Estate, County Wicklow, Ireland**Powerscourt Golf Club, on the estate*Powerscourt Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Ireland, near the estate...
, Grey Swallow, Rakti
Rakti
Rakti was a British Thoroughbred racehorse, who won six Group One races in Italy and the United Kingdom in a career which lasted from 2001 to 2005.-Background:...
and the odds-on favourite Doyen
Doyen (horse)
Doyen is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, who was bred in Ireland but trained in France, Dubai and the United Kingdom during a racing career which lasted from 2002 to 2005...
.
On his final start of the season, Azamour returned to Newmarket's Rowley Mile course for the Champion Stakes
Champion Stakes
The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October...
. He was again held up, before making headway in the closing stages, but could never reach the lead, and finished third of the eleven runners, beaten three and a half lengths by Haafhd. Oxx was not particularly disappointed, explaining that the colt was unsuited by the soft ground. Oxx also stated that, unlike most of the Aga Khan's horses, Azamour would stay in training as a four-year-old and nominated the Tattersalls Gold Cup
Tattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
, Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as his targets.
2005: four-year-old season
As predicted, Azamour began his season in a strong renewal of the Tattersalls Gold CupTattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
in which he took fourth place behind Grey Swallow, Bago
Bago
Bago may refer to:*Denmark** Bago, Denmark, the island of Bågø*Myanmar**Bago, Burma a city**Bago Region an administrative region*Philippines**Bago City, Negros Oriental**Bago **Bago...
and Ace. He was unable to find a clear run after Bago drifted across in the closing stages, and Kinane felt that he had been an unlucky loser.
Azamour was then sent to Royal "Ascot". Because of redevelopments at Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
, all the course's fixtures were moved in 2005, with the Royal meeting taking place at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
. Azamour was made 11/8 favourite for the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, and justified his position by leading a furlong from the finish and beating Ace by one and a half lengths, with Elvstroem
Elvstroem
Elvstroem was an outstanding bay Thoroughbred racehorse, by world champion sire Danehill from the former champion three-year-old filly, Circles of Gold.-Dam:...
, Warrsan
Warrsan
Warrsan was a Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in Ireland who competed in Europe and Asia. Owned and bred by Saeed Manana of the United Arab Emirates, he was sired by Caerleon, a son of the great Nijinsky, and out of the mare, Lucayan Princess.Conditioned by veteran trainer Clive Brittain, throughout...
and Ouija Board among the also-rans.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, often regarded as Britain's most prestigious weight-for-age race was run at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse
Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps...
in 2003. Azamour was made 5/2 favourite in a field which included Bago, Grey Swallow, Doyen and several other major winners, although the absence of top-class three-year-olds was noticable. Kinane held the colt up in last place before making "smooth" progress in the straight to take the lead inside the last quarter of a mile. He ran on strongly in the closing stages to record what one commentator called an "insultingly easy" win by one and a quarter lengths from Norse Dancer, with Bago third. In winning the race, Azamour broke the course record, which had stood for more the fifty years. Oxx described his colt as being "in a different league."
Azamour was made 6/4 favourite in his attempt to win a second Irish Champion Stakes in September, despite the presence of the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Motivator
Motivator (horse)
Motivator is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby.-Background:Motivator is a bay horse with a white star bred by Salah M...
. As Kinane had been injured in a fall at the Curragh, Azamour was ridden by Christophe Soumillon
Christophe Soumillon
Christophe Soumillon is a Belgian Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Career:Raised in a horse racing family, he is the son of a horse jumping jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon. Christophe Soumillon apprenticed at Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France to Cédric Boutin, and won his first race in...
. Oxx expressed some concern about the situation, pointing out that Kinane had "a real rapport" with the horse. Azamour failed to reproduce his best form, and finished fifith of the ten runners behind Oratorio. Azamour came out of the race with a muscle injury, and was then forced to miss an intended run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
after suffering from a hoof abscess.
Azamour's final race was a challenge for the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
at Belmont Park
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905...
. He was held up as usual, but when Kinane attempted to make his move he was unable to find a space, and was forced to drop back and switch to the outside. Azamour made rapid progress in the closing stages, but his effort was too late, and he finished third behind Shirocco and Ace.
Azamour's retirement was announced shortky afterwards. Oxx paid tribute to the horse, calling him "phenomenal" and emphasising his toughness and ability to win over a range of distances.
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza Stop EBF Maiden | 7 | The Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... |
M | 8 | 7/4 | 9 | 1 | 2.5 | 1:25.40 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
|
| Beresford Stakes Beresford Stakes The Beresford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September or October.... |
8 | The Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... |
2 | 54 | 6/4 | 6 | 1 | Neck | 1:42.00 | Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| 2000 Guineas | 8 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 174 | 25/1 | 14 | 3 | 2.75 | 1:36.64 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Irish 2,000 Guineas | 8 | The Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... |
1 | 164 | 6/4 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1:40.00 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| St. James's Palace Stakes St. James's Palace Stakes The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.... |
8 | Ascot Ascot Racecourse Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races... |
1 | 139 | 9/2 | 11 | 1 | Neck | 1:39.02 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Irish Champion Stakes Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
1 | 407 | 8/1 | 8 | 1 | 0.5 | 2:01.90 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Champion Stakes Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October... |
10 | Newmarket Rowley Newmarket Racecourse The town of Newmarket, in Suffolk, England, is the headquarters of British horseracing, home to the largest cluster of training yards in the country and many key horse racing organisations. Newmarket Racecourse has two courses - the Rowley Mile Course and the July Course. Both are wide, galloping... |
1 | 215 | 6/1 | 11 | 3 | 3.5 | 2:06.90 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Tattersalls Gold Cup Tattersalls Gold Cup The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.... |
10.5 | The Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... |
1 | 109 | 4/1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2.15.10 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Prince of Wales's Stakes Prince of Wales's Stakes The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.... |
10 | Newmarket York York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August... |
1 | 203 | 11/8 | 8 | 1 | 1.5 | 2:08.15 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Newbury Newbury Racecourse Newbury Racecourse is a racecourse in the civil parish of Greenham, adjoining the town of Newbury in Berkshire, England. It has courses for flat races and over jumps... |
1 | 408 | 5/2 | 12 | 1 | 1.25 | 2:28.26 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Irish Champion Stakes Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
1 | 396 | 6/4 | 10 | 5 | 2.25 | 2:03.90 | Christophe Soumillon Christophe Soumillon Christophe Soumillon is a Belgian Thoroughbred horse racing jockey.-Career:Raised in a horse racing family, he is the son of a horse jumping jockey Jean-Marc Soumillon. Christophe Soumillon apprenticed at Chantilly Racecourse in Chantilly, France to Cédric Boutin, and won his first race in... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
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| Breeders' Cup Turf Breeders' Cup Turf The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner... |
12 | Belmont Park Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905... |
1 | 617 | 100/30 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2:29.30 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
John Oxx John Oxx John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his... |
Assessment
In the 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse RankingsWorld Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
Azamour was rated at 123, making him the ninth best horse in the world.
In the 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
Azamour was rated at 126, making him the third best horse in the world, behind Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run
Hurricane Run is a world champion thoroughbred racehorse.-Background:Hurricane Run was trained by André Fabre, and ridden in most of his races by jockey Kieren Fallon for owner Michael Tabor....
and Ghostzapper
Ghostzapper
Foaled in Kentucky on April 6 in the year 2000, the thoroughbred racehorse Ghostzapper won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2004, outdistancing Roses in May by three lengths in a stakes record of 1:59.02...
.
His 2005 performances earned Azamour the title of European Champion Older Horse at the Cartier Racing Awards.
Azamour was also named Champion middle distance horse and Champion older horse by the British Horseracing Board.
Several years after Azamour's retirement, John Oxx pointed out the colt's similarities to Sea The Stars
Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred colt racehorse. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan - the...
, explaining that both horses had dominant temperaments- they were natural "herd leaders."
Stud Career
Retired to studStud (animal)
A stud animal is a registered animal retained for breeding. The terms for the male of a given animal species usually imply that the animal is entire—that is, not castrated—and therefore capable of siring offspring...
for the 2006 season, Azamour stands at his owners Gilltown Stud near Kilcullen
Kilcullen
Kilcullen , formally Kilcullen Bridge, is a small town on the River Liffey in County Kildare, Ireland. Its population of 2,985 makes it the 12th largest settlement in County Kildare and the fastest growing in the county, having doubled in population from 1,483 in the census of 2002...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. His stud fee for 2011 is €15,000.
Azamour has produced three crops of foal of racing age and has had some success. His best offspring is probably Native Khan, winner of the Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
. His other winners include Eleanors Duse (Blandford Stakes
Blandford Stakes
The Blandford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.The event is named after the...
), Azmeel (Dee Stakes
Dee Stakes
The Dee Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 75 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
), Puncher Clynch {Ballysax Stakes
Ballysax Stakes
The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April....
) and No Explaining (Gallorette Handicap
Gallorette Handicap
The Gallorette Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run on Preakness Day at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland as a stakes feature of the undercard. It's set at a distance of one and one sixteenth miles on the turf....
).