Breeders' Cup Greats - Part 1

The Breeders' Cup is the pinnacle of American racing. Run in November it is their end of season Championship, and also represents something of a World Championship too, with big money and big reputations at stake. It sees the best horses from around the world fighting it out for the title of best in the world. Over the years the meeting has played host to some of the finest moments in horse racing. In this series i will relive some of the best: the best performances, the best races, the best horses.

The first horse in the spotlight is the brilliant juvenile Arazi. He won 6 of his 7 races in France, including the Prix Morny and Grand Criterium. It was decided that he would take his chance across the pond in the Juvenile. Such was his brilliance in Europe, Sheikh Mohammed offered $9m for a 50% share in the horse before his American adventure. The faith of the Sheikh was to be rewarded in brilliant style as he ran away with the 1991 Breeders' Cup Juvenile in astonishing fashion. Drawn terribly in gate 14 of 14 he jumped slowly and headed to the inner. He was trapped a little ride round the first turn and found himself well off the lead, being set by the American star Bertrando (Champion 2yo in California, and winner of the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes). But it was his breathtaking mid-race move as he swept past the whole field to lead entering the stretch that led to the superlatives. It is widely regarded as the finest juvenile performance ever. He was crowned Champion 2yo in Europe and America, and also took the Cartier Award for European Horse Of The Year too. His Timeform rating of 135 was exceptionally high for a 2yo. To put it in perspective Frankel was rated just 129p after his brilliant juvenile campaign last year.

He started as a very hot favourite for the 1992 Kentucky Derby, but drawn 17 of 18 he could not perform the same heroics, and, after threatening for the lead round the home turn, faded to finish 8th. He was never able to recapture his devastating 2yo form and was retired after trailing in 11th in the Breeders' Cup Mile. He underwent an operation to remove bone chips in his knees after his 2yo campaign and some suggested that this was the reason behind his poor form. 

He also failed to make his mark as a sire, and after 3 years standing in Newmarket he was moved to Three Chimney's in America before heading to Japan, and then Australia, with one year standing in Switzerland. Ultimately his latter years, both as a racehorse and as a sire were a disappointment but his showing that night is one that will never be forgotten. It has been described by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association as the "single-most spectacular performance in Breeders' Cup history". Considering the epic performances that the meeting has enjoyed that his high praise indeed.