Hill ‘n’ Dale introduced Aug. 19 that Arabian Knight , the sale-topping 2-year-old and grade 1-winning millionaire by Uncle Mo , has been retired from racing and can arrive Aug. 20 on the farm close to Paris, Ky., the place he’ll take up stud obligation.
A $2.3 million buy from the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ April 2-Yr-Outdated Sale, Arabian Knight served discover to the worldwide racing world on Breeders’ Cup day that yr at Keeneland, the place he drew clear from a deep subject of juveniles in a seven-furlong maiden race, drawing off by 7 1/4 lengths in 1:21.98.
To place his ultimate time into a correct perspective, the a number of Eclipse-winning sprinter Goodnight Olive ran the seven furlongs at Keeneland later that day within the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Dash (G1) in 1:21.61.
In a post-race interview, coach Bob Baffert stated that jockey John Velasquez requested him, “How good is that this horse?” To which Baffert responded, “You trip him such as you rode Uncle Mo, as a result of I believe he’s Uncle Mo.”
Baffert added, “He was a beast on the gross sales, that is why he value a lot. He has acquired to be one of the crucial gifted 2-year-olds I’ve ever had.”
When interviewed after the race and requested for comparisons to the most effective horses he has ridden, Velasquez responded, “He’s so spectacular, he jogs my memory a lot of his father, Uncle Mo.”
In solely his second begin, Zedan Racing Stables’ Arabian Knight dominated the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, the place he was despatched off the two/5 favourite, romping by 5 1/2 lengths whereas gearing down. Arabian Knight’s tour-de-force efficiency got here later in September of his 3-year-old season at Del Mar. Within the $1 million Pacific Traditional (G1), Arabian Knight grew to become the primary horse to win the 1 1/4-mile race with solely three earlier begins.
“He confirmed his brilliance from day one of many 2-year-old sale the place he was a person amongst boys,” Baffert stated. “We knew he was particular from the second we noticed him. He has what I really like in a horse: stunning conformation and brilliance.
“He is simply not again to the place I had him final yr. We want extra time, which we do not have. I simply don’t desire one other Arrogate scenario on my arms. That is an exceptionally gifted horse,” added Baffert.
Hill ‘n’ Dale proprietor John Sikura stated: “I used to be at Keeneland the day that Arabian Knight broke his maiden. He was brilliantly quick but easy in his first begin, profitable off with out being requested. As a grade 1-winning son of Uncle Mo, Arabian Knight has the brilliance, physicality, and easy movement which can be so vital for a sire to own. He was the star on the 2-year-old sale making $2.3 million and has the ‘it’ issue all of us search for.
“The primary time I noticed him in individual, Bob Baffert stated, ‘Let me present you the proper racehorse. His presence and conformation are flawless.’ ”
Bred by Corser Thoroughbreds, Arabian Knight ends his profession 3-0-1 from six begins with $1,562,275 in earnings.
This press launch has been edited for content material and elegance by BloodHorse Workers.
