Amazing Azazel - Stakes' Winner

Ready To Run Sales graduate Azazel (3 g Shocking – Alagant Angel, by Tavistock) continued his fine progress by winning the $200,000 Roderick Insurance Brokers Geelong Classic (Listed, 2200m) on 23 October at Geelong.

Bought by Te Akau principal David Ellis CNZM in conjunction with OTI Racing & Bloodstock for $140,000 at the 2024 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, from the draft of Riverrock Farm, Azazel had displayed plenty of grit and determination to score narrowly when debuting in the Maiden 1600 metres on 11 September at Seymour, and stepped in class with a strong performance for fourth in the Super Impose Stakes (Listed, 1800m) on 4 October at Flemington.

Faced with an even field of staying type three-year-olds, Azazel was able to slot in seventh on a steady pace for Kiwi jockey Michael Dee, improved three-wide inside the 1000m when the pace slackened, challenged nearing the home turn, and kept lifting to score in a close finish.

On Soft7 footing, Azazel ran 2200 metres in 2:21.0 and remained firm in betting to pay $6.30 & $2.10 on the NZ TAB tote. 

Winning two of his three starts, Azazel will now target the $2m VRC Derby (Gr. 1, 2500m) on Saturday 1 November at Flemington.

“It was a really good staying performance and a first-class ride by Mick Dee,” said Te Akau trainer Mark Walker.

“It’s great to get a stakes’ win for Terry Henderson, Shayne Driscoll, and Gus Boyd, and all the OTI team, whose colours have been carried by some outstanding horses. 

“He’s a horse that is peaking at the right time and Ben (Gleeson) and I think we can really look forward to Derby Day with him. 

"He proved another really good purchase by David Ellis and OTI at the Ready To Run Sale, and we’ll be on the look out for more promising horses when the sale comes around again next month, on 12 & 13 November at Karaka.

“We were involved in his purchase a year ago, and it’s amazing to think that 12 months later he will contest a race for two-million dollars on the biggest race day in Australasia. It’s a great testament to the quality of horses at the New Zealand Bloodstock RTR sale.” 

Azazel looked good at a gallop when breezing up last October at Te Rapa, and prior to racing he went clear when winning a 1400-metre jump out on 1 September at Cranbourne.

OTI Racing & Bloodstock, established by CEO Terry Henderson, has recorded over 155 wins at Group & Listed level and had 60 wins worldwide last year. Azazel is owned by ?O T I Racing, Te Akau Angelic, Mr L D Freeman, G Force Racing, Sparks Flying, Greighten, Mr P A Tasker, Mr C Treherne, Mr L Webb, Ms D McKeown, Mr W Peart, and K Peart.

Azazel is by Australian Cup (Gr. 1, 2000m) and Melbourne Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) winner Shocking (Street Cry), who stands at Rich Hill Stud in Walton (NZ), and a sire that OTI has already experienced success through the deeds of I’m Thunderstruck, Hezashocka, and Mark Twain. 

While Te Akau has also had success with progeny by Shocking (Street Cry). Shocking Luck won the Rough Habit Plate (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Doomben racecourse in Brisbane, and more recently Self Obsession (Shocking), who tied New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours with stable-mate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy).

Azazel from a Tavistock (Montjeu) mare, in turn out of impressive Group winning miler Alagant Satin (Al Akbar), and from the family of Te Akau trained Wild Night, who won five in a row as a three-year-old, including the Sarten Memorial (Gr. 2, 1400m) and Uncle Remus Stakes (Listed, 1400m).  

“He breezed up well, had a good walk, and lovely staying type pedigree which he’s now showing,” Ellis said. 

“We’ve bought and trained quite a few good horses from the family. Wild Night raced really well during his three-year-old season, too, and now Azazel has picked up the mantle to keep the family going. 

“Terry Henderson (OTI) and his team do an incredible job in the thoroughbred racing industry, deserve every success, and I’m thrilled for the people they’ve got involved to race this horse with them.

“Mark (Walker), his assistant trainer Ben Gleeson, and all the staff in our stables at Cranbourne can be very proud of the job they’re doing and look forward to Derby Day at Flemington.”

Azazel was originally purchased as a yearling by Guy Lowry, who owns and operates Game Lodge with training partner Leah Zydenbos at Hastings.

Lowry was impressed by Azazel at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Sale, purchasing from breeder Grangewilliam Stud (Wanganui), and after educating and preparing the horse for sale Lowry sent him to Chad Ormsby at Riverrock Farm for the finishing touches.

“I like to do one a year, buy a yearling to then prepare for the Ready To Run Sale, and the one before Azazel was Immediacy (Tarzino) that Chad (Ormsby) also put through the sale and he won a Group Two at Caulfield for Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young,” Lowry said.

“I’ve had a good week, with Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) finishing third in the Everest, who we trained before he went to Australia, and now Azazel.

“I sat down with Mark (Walker) after Te Akau bought Azazel and wished him all the best with the horse. He was a really nice horse. He threw a leg a little bit, but breezed up beautifully, and he was a treat to do anything with.

“I loved him as an individual and he’s got similar breeding to Winx, being by a Street Cry stallion and having Al Akbar as his grand-dam sire.

“He was always a nice horse, say ‘go’ and he went and he loved racing and being in the stables. He became a real favourite and stable pet when he was here at Game Lodge. 

“It was great to have Micky Dee on him for the win, a good lad and we have a lot to do with his parents, Richard & Jo, in Hawkes Bay, and I’m glad for the owners that won that race on the way to the Derby. It’s a huge thrill for them.” 

Azazel was strapped by Hayden McInnes. 

Photo credit - Racing Photos