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 Wednesday, May 28, 2008

  LEOPARDSTOWN, 6.30, Mdn, 20,000, 2yo, 7fT, 1:33.67, gd/fm

  Arazan (Ire), C, 2, by Anabaa

1st Dam: Asmara (SW-Ire), by Lear Fan

2nd Dam: Anaza (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)

3rd Dam: Azaarika (Ire), by Ribero

As a close relative of the brilliant Azamour (Ire), Arazan would not have been expected to be an early two-year-old racing before the Royal Ascot meeting, but John Oxx had seen enough to declare him for a six-furlong race at The Curragh on Saturday. Re-routed here due to the fast ground at that track, the homebred showed why he had been considered for a speed test by breaking sharply and leading under Mick Kinane. Left in second at the three-furlong pole after an aggressive move by Johnny Murtagh on the 9-10 favorite Egypt (GB) (Dansili {GB}), he quickened to reel in that rival under hand riding with 150 yards remaining. Firmly on top at the line, he had a widening two-length margin of comfort there. "That was a good start to his career," Oxx said. "The ground had dried up at the Curragh, but it was ideal here and he'd been showing a bit. We'll look at the Listed Golden Fleece S. [at Leopardstown July 2] or the G2 Railway S. [at The Curragh June 29]." Arazan is a half brother to Ahsanabad (Ire) (Muhtarram, MGSP-Ire) and to Azamour (Ire) (Night Shift, Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 9.5-11f, Ch. Older Horse-Eur, Hwt. Older Horse-Eng & Ire at 9.5-14f, MG1SW-Eng & Ire, GISP-US, $2,688,117). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, Eu13,020.

Click for the pedigree.

O: His Highness the Aga Khan | B: H H the Aga Khan’s Studs SC | T: John Oxx