Talk about close, four year-old Too Darn Hot stallion Hotazhell is no stranger to a desperate hard fought finish and found himself in another dogfight overnight in Germany when capturing the second G1 of his career.
As a two year-old, the Jessica Harrington trained Hotazhell inflicted a nose defeat on high class colt Delacroix when winning the Group I Doncaster Futurity Stakes (1m).
Delacroix returned at three to become an elite G1 winner for Coolmore and the son of Dubawi will shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, while Hotazhell went winless through a five start classic season.
He was fifth to Delacroix in the Group I Coral Eclipse and fourth to him in the Group I Irish Champion Stakes before ending 2025 with a midfield finish in the Arc.
Placed in his first two starts this year, Hotazhell was dispatched to Germany for the Group I Grosser Dallmayr-Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (2000m) and produced a never say die effort for regular rider Shane Foley to win by a nose in a thriller.
"He was a really good two-year-old, he just lost his way a bit last year," Foley said. "His last two runs were good, though, he was just coming back to himself, so hopefully he can have a nice autumn.
"It wasn't the plan to make the running. I went forward from my inside draw and I thought there wasn't much pace, and I ended up getting it very easy in front.
"They attacked me in the straight, but this lad is a fighter on a going day. Thank God our head was in front at the right time."
Hotazhell has the overall record of five wins and four placings from 14 starts.
Bred by Blue Diamond Stud Farm, Hotazhell was a 70,000 guineas purchase for Linehan Bloodstock at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale before selling to Silverton Hill for 200,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale.
He is the best of four winners from eight to race for the Danehill Dancer mare Azenzar, whose unraced dam Dashing is a half-sister to 5-time Group I winner Alexander Goldrun.
Hotazhell is one of seven Group I winners for Too Darn Hot and they include Tornado Alert, who won this race last year.
Too Darn Hot is back at Darley NSW this spring at a fee of $275,000.
