Arazi has been pensioned by Independent Stallions owner Mike Becker.  Now rising 23, he has covered just a handful of mares for the last three seasons at the Victorian stud.

“He’s very bright and active,” Becker said.  “He loves attention and is quite a character.  We’re proud to have him and he has a home for life here.”

Arazi (USA) was bred in Kentucky and began his career with an unbeaten juvenile campaign in France winning the G1 Prix de la Salamandre, G1 Prix de la Salamandre and G1 Grand Criterium.

He returned to Kentucky to claim the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile by five lengths at Churchill Downs for owners Allen Paulson and Sheikh Mohammed.   He earned the North American 2YO Eclipse Award and was also voted 1991 European Horse of the Year.

Arazi (Blushing Groom – Danseur Fabuleux by Northern Dancer) lost his perfect record when unplaced as a short-priced favourite in the 1992 Kentucky Derby won by Lil E Tee.  Later that year, he bowed out with a four length victory in the G2 Prix du Rond Point at Longchamp.

Sheikh Mohammed stood him at Dalham Stud in England and at Three Chimneys in Kentucky.  He was also based in Japan and Switzerland before making a final move to Victoria in 2003.

Never able to replicate his racecourse ability at stud, Arazi was nevertheless a more than adequate stallion with 265 winners world-wide at a 63% strike-rate.  The best of his 11 stakes to date has been five-time G1 winner Congaree who has carved out a successful stud career in New York.

His daughters have foaled 22 stakes winners topped by Melbourne Cup hero Americain and Dubai World Cup winner Electrocutionist.

Independent Stallions is also home to Brief Truce (Irish River) who defeated Arazi in the 1992 G1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.  Also rising 23, Brief Truce covered a limited book at a $2,200 fee last year.