Arazi, 1991 Breeders' Cup winner, dies in Australia at age 32

It took him barely 100 seconds to etch his name permanently into the consciousness of racing fans around the world. That was how long it took Arazi to put on an indelible show by going from next to last at Churchill Downs to win easily in the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

His racing career cut short by injuries starting in that very race and pensioned to live his final days in Australia, Arazi died Friday at age 32.

“It is with immense sadness that Stockwell Thoroughbreds announces the passing of one of the racing world’s most revered champions,” a statement from the Australian farm said.

“The little chestnut with a crooked blaze that made him almost instantly recognizable captured the minds of racing people around the globe when, in 1991, he produced one of the most memorable performances seen on a racetrack in coming from last (actually 13th of 14) to take out the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by an easing, five-length margin.”

Bred in Kentucky by the late Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson and bought as a weanling for $350,000 by Allen Paulson, Arazi established himself on French turf as a 2-year-old, going 6-for-6 on his way to becoming Europe’s horse of the year.

Trained by François Boutin, the son of Blushing Groom was brought back to his native Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup, where he made up 17 1/4 lengths of ground with a unforgettable, closing move going wide on the far turn under jockey Pat Valenzuela.

That performance, however, began a chapter filled with injuries. Arazi chipped both his knees in that race and was operated on right away. A comeback win in France preceded his trip back to America for the Kentucky Derby, where he got within a head of the lead before fading to finish eight as the 9-10 favorite.

Arazi raced five more times after that, winning a Group 2 race in France before his racing career ended with an 11th-place finish as the 3-2 favorite in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Gulfstream Park.

“Arazi was never quite the same horse again,” the Stockwell statement said.

Sheikh Mohammed, who eventually bought out Paulson, stood Arazi to breed at farms in England, Kentucky, Japan, Switzerland and finally Australia.

“His stud career did not match the highlights of his racing career,” the Stockwell statement said, “but he left a champion son in Congaree, and a number of his daughters proved to be highly successful broodmares.

“‘It has been an honor never lost on us to have been guardians to such a beloved horse,’ said Stockwell’s Mike Becker. ‘He had major bowel surgery as a 4-year-old and has lived with a major heart murmur for the past 16 years.

“But in the end it was his body that gave out, not his big heart. He will be very missed around here.”