Harayir

Harayir (22 March 1992 – 2014) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a racing career which lasted from June 1994 to October 1995 she ran thirteen times and won six races. As a two-year-old she won two races, including the Group Two Lowther Stakes at York. The following spring, Harayir became the first horse to win a Classic on a Sunday, when she was victorious in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse after being rejected by her regular jockey Willie Carson in favour of her owner's other runner Aqaarid. Her success gave her trainer Dick Hern his fourteenth and final classic winner. Later in the year, Harayir competed successfully against colts and older horses, winning the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket. She was retired from racing to become a broodmare.

Background

Harayir was a bay filly with white socks on her hind legs, bred in Kentucky by her owner, Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Farm. She was sired by Gulch, a son of Mr Prospector, who was named 1988 American Champion Sprint Horse. Gulch was a successful stallion, siring the multiple Group One winner Nayef and the Japan Cup Dirt winner Eagle Cafe. Harayir's dam, Saffaanh failed to win a race in five attempts, but was a daughter of the Irish Oaks winner Give Thanks. As a grand-daughter of the broodmare Violetta, Give Thanks was closely related to the Epsom Derby winner Teenoso.