Season of Success: Azazel Awesome in Australia

Ready To Run Sale graduate Azazel (3 g Shocking – Alagant Angel, by Tavistock) continued his exciting progression when stepping up to win the A$200,000 Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers Geelong Classic (2200m) on 23 October 2025 at Geelong.

Purchased by Te Akau principal Sir David Ellis CNZM in conjunction with OTI Racing & Bloodstock for $140,000 from the Riverrock Farm draft at the 2024 Ready To Run Sale at Karaka, Azazel had already demonstrated plenty of grit and determination early in his career. After narrowly winning over 1600 metres on debut at Seymour on 11 September, he quickly measured up to stakes' company with a strong fourth in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on 4 October.

Stepping up to 2200 metres against an even field of promising staying three-year-olds, Azazel again showed the qualities that had impressed from the outset. 

Ridden patiently by fellow Kiwi and former Te Akau apprentice Michael Dee, he settled seventh on a genuine tempo before improving three-wide approaching the 1000 metres as the pace eased. Looming strongly nearing the home turn, he dug deep over the closing stages to prevail in a determined finish.

On a Soft7 track, Azazel covered the 2200 metres in 2:21.0 and remained solid in betting, returning NZ TAB dividends of $6.30 and $2.10.

Prepared by te Akau's Cranbourne stable and trainer Mark Walker, the victory marked the 32nd of what has since become 34 stakes' victories for Te Akau in Australia, including 15 Group One wins, since Gingernuts (Iffraaj) captured the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) in 2017.

Walker's own Te Akau journey began in 1997, when he secured five New Zealand Trainers' Premierships before establishing the stable's Singapore operation in 2011, where he added another four premierships. Returning to New Zealand in 2022, he immediately guided Te Akau to a record 203-win season in 2022/23, the first of six consecutive New Zealand Trainers' Premierships.

Azazel races in the colours of OTI Racing, alongside the Te Akau Angelic Racing Partnership.

His success also highlighted the strength of his pedigree. By Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Shocking (Street Cry), who stands at Rich Hill Stud, Azazel is by a stallion that Te Akau has also enjoyed notable success with the progeny of. 

Shocking Luck won the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben, while Self Obsession (Shocking) later shared New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours with stablemate Belle En Rouge (Burgundy).

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

"He breezed up well, had a good walk, and has a lovely staying-type pedigree, which he's now showing," Ellis said at the time of his purchase.

"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."