Fabuleux Jane, Arazi's Granddam, Dead

Fabuleux Jane, granddam of international champion Arazi and dam of grade I turf winner Joyeux Danseur, died Aug. 18 at Graham J. Beck's Gainesway Farm near Lexington because of the infirmities of old age. The daughter of Le Fabuleux out of the Raise a Native mare Native Partner was 29.

Fabuleux Jane's offspring were fixtures at the Keeneland July yearling sale, with one of them, Jareer (by Northern Dancer), commanding $7.1 million in 1984. The price remains the fourth-highest of all time for a yearling sold in the U.S. Fabuleux Jane was owned at the time by her breeder, Ralph C. Wilson Jr., who had bought her back for $100,000 at the 1975 Keeneland July sale.

Sent to Europe to race, Fabuleux Jane was a group stakes winner and classic-placed in France, finishing third in the Prix de Diane de Revlon (Fr-I, the French Oaks). She raced once in England, finishing unplaced, and was retired with four wins from 20 starts and earnings of $145,655. She was returned to the U.S. following her 4-year-old season in 1978.

Ten of Fabuleux Jane's offspring were sired by Northern Dancer or his male-line descendants. Arazi's dam, French group-placed Danseur Fabuleux, is a daughter of Northern Dancer.

Arazi, by Blushing Groom, caused a bit of a sensation by winning the 1991 Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. I) with a bold move at the top of the stretch. He had won three group I events earlier in France and was voted champion in North America and France. Danseur Fabuleux later produced another champion in Noverre (by Rahy).

Wilson sold Fabuleux Jane through the efforts of Bruce Hundley at the 1989 Keeneland November breeding stock sale to Gainesway Thoroughbred Services for $800,000. Joyeux Danseur was the best of the offspring Fabuleux Jane produced for Gainesway. A son of Nureyev, Joyeux Danseur scored his big win in the 1998 Early Times Turf Classic Stakes (gr. IT) at Churchill Downs.

Overall, Fabuleux Jane produced 14 foals, nine of which were winners, including additional stakes winners Doubles Partner and Fabuleux Dancer, both of whom were bred by Wilson. Doubles Partner was a graded winner.

Fabuleux Jane was a half-sister to English champion Ajdal, grade I winner Flying Partner, and English group I winner Formidable.