The Aga Khan owned and bred Azamour came from last place to land a vintage renewal of the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. The Saint James’ Palace Stakes winner was settled at the rear of the field behind a good early pace set by the leader. Still in last position turning into the short straight, Azamour produced an electrifying turn of foot inside the final furlong, reeling in his rivals one by one and eventually passing the post half a length clear of the valiant runner up Norse Dancer.

Jockey Mick Kinane commented after the race: “I’ve enjoyed riding him all season. He’s a pleasure to be around. He has matured so much physically and mentally and I always though he would improve stepping up from a mile.”

Oxx added : “We will have to wait and see what his rating will be at the end of the year, but he is a very good horse and improving all the time. He probably wouldn’t have the rating of Sinndar and Alamshar yet, but he would not be too far behind them.”

“What marks them apart from the rest is their will to win and that extra edge of toughness. Azamour has that, and the nearer he gets to the winning post, the stronger he gets.”

By Night Shift, Azamour is out of the Stakes winning Lear Fan mare Asmara. He is a half brother to three winners including the Group placed Ahsanabad. He was unbeaten in two races at two, including the Group II Beresford Stakes.