Although there were only three runners in the 1892 Kentucky Derby, the spectators were treated to a thrilling show anyway as Azra made up six lengths on his chief rival, Huron, in the stretch and battled through a desperate duel in the final furlong to win by a margin the Louisville Courier-Journal estimated as “six inches.” The colt later won the Travers Stakes against a single opponent. He apparently went amiss in the late fall of 1892 as he could not be trained for a 4-year-old campaign and went to stud instead. He returned to training as a 5-year-old following the breeding season but did not start again. He was not a successful sire.
Race record
23 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 7 thirds, US$20,710
1891:
1892:
As an individual
A strongly-made bay horse standing 15.2 hands, Azra was compact in build. He handled off going well and was completely tenacious in a drive.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Azra with two stakes winners.
Connections
Foaled in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Azra was bred and owned by George J. Long, who raced the horse in the colors of his Bashford Manor Stud. The colt was trained by John H. Morris. He stood at Bashford Manor Stud. According to the August 15, 1909, edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal, he had been “dead for some time” (his death having previously been unreported) and died “near about the same time” as St. Gatien, which would place his death about 1906 or 1907. However, the American Stud Book, Vol. X, gives the year of his death as 1909.
Pedigree notes
Sired by the stakes-winning Leamington horse Reform, Azra is inbred 4x5 to the great 19th-century matron Pocahontas and 5x5 to eight-time American champion sire Glencoe. He is a full brother to Roseville, dam of two-time American champion Ben Brush (by Bramble) and 1899 Brooklyn Derby winner Ahom (by Sir Dixon).
Albia, the dam of Azra, is a half sister to Elizabeth (by Strachino), third dam of 1914 Kentucky Oaks winner Bronzewing. The sisters are out of the Kentucky mare Elastic, in turn a daughter of the Revenue mare Blue Ribbon. The female line traces back to an unnamed daughter of Janus (a paternal grandson of the Godolphin Arabian who also had considerable influence on the early background of the American Quarter Horse) and cannot be linked to any of the Bruce Lowe female families.
Fun facts
Last updated: April 26, 2020
Race record
23 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 7 thirds, US$20,710
1891:
- Won Champagne Stakes (USA, 7FD, Jerome Park)
- 2nd Essex Stakes (USA, 6FD, Jerome Park)
- 3rd Nursery Stakes (USA, 6FD, Morris Park)
- 3rd Dunmow Stakes (USA, 6FD, Morris Park)
- 3rd Partridge Stakes (USA, 6FT, Sheepshead Bay)
1892:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA, 12FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Clark Stakes (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Travers Stakes (USA, 12FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Choice Stakes (USA, 12FD, Monmouth)
- 3rd Jerome Stakes (USA. 12FD, Morris Park)
- 3rd Bridge Handicap (USA, 12FD, Sheepshead Bay)
- 3rd Lorillard Stakes (USA, 11FD, Monmouth)
- 3rd Garfield Park Derby (USA, 10FD, Garfield Park)
As an individual
A strongly-made bay horse standing 15.2 hands, Azra was compact in build. He handled off going well and was completely tenacious in a drive.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 credits Azra with two stakes winners.
Connections
Foaled in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Azra was bred and owned by George J. Long, who raced the horse in the colors of his Bashford Manor Stud. The colt was trained by John H. Morris. He stood at Bashford Manor Stud. According to the August 15, 1909, edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal, he had been “dead for some time” (his death having previously been unreported) and died “near about the same time” as St. Gatien, which would place his death about 1906 or 1907. However, the American Stud Book, Vol. X, gives the year of his death as 1909.
Pedigree notes
Sired by the stakes-winning Leamington horse Reform, Azra is inbred 4x5 to the great 19th-century matron Pocahontas and 5x5 to eight-time American champion sire Glencoe. He is a full brother to Roseville, dam of two-time American champion Ben Brush (by Bramble) and 1899 Brooklyn Derby winner Ahom (by Sir Dixon).
Albia, the dam of Azra, is a half sister to Elizabeth (by Strachino), third dam of 1914 Kentucky Oaks winner Bronzewing. The sisters are out of the Kentucky mare Elastic, in turn a daughter of the Revenue mare Blue Ribbon. The female line traces back to an unnamed daughter of Janus (a paternal grandson of the Godolphin Arabian who also had considerable influence on the early background of the American Quarter Horse) and cannot be linked to any of the Bruce Lowe female families.
Fun facts
- The field for Azra's Kentucky Derby was the smallest in the race's history and was equaled only in 1905, when Agile defeated Ram's Horn and Layson.
- Azra was ridden to his Kentucky Derby triumph by Alonzo Clayton, who at age 15 became the youngest jockey ever to win the Run for the Roses. Clayton's record was later tied by James “Soup” Perkins, who rode Halma to victory in 1895.
Last updated: April 26, 2020