Bred in Kentucky, he was trained in France as two-year-old and established himself as a top-class racehorse by winning the Prix des Chênes and finishing a close fourth in the Grand Critérium.
In the following month he was moved up in class and distance and started favourite for the Group Three Prix La Rochette over 1600 metres at Longchamp Racecourse but finished fourth, a length behind the winner River Knight.
He was restrained at the back of the field by Philippe Paquet before accelerating in the straight, taking the lead inside the last 200 metres and winning by one and a half lengths from Pyjama Hunt, who was carrying five pounds more.
The British jockey Lester Piggott took the ride when Jaazeiro contested France's most prestigious two-year-old race, the Grand Critérium at Longchamp in October.
[2] In late 1977 a half share in Jaazeiro was bought by Robert Sangster for a "six figure sum" and the colt was transferred to Ireland where he was trained by Vincent O'Brien at Ballydoyle.
[3] In June, Jaazeiro was sent to England to contest the St James's Palace Stakes (then a Group Two race) over one mile at Royal Ascot in which he was matched against the leading British-trained colts Persian Bold and Formidable.
Piggott attempted to repeat the tactics employed in the Sussex Stakes, but was unable to reach the leaders and finished third behind Captain James and Formidable.