Japanese-Breds Making A Mark Around the Globe

Mark Smith - Sunday May 6

Shortly after Coolmore's Deep Impact (JPN) colt Saxon Warrior (JPN) stretched his unbeaten record to four in the Group 1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, China Horse Club, WinStar Farm and partners were celebrating the success of the Heart's Cry (IRE) colt Yoshida (JPN) in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day.

Carrying the purple silks of Derrick Smith, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Saxon Warrior (JPN) credited O'Brien's 19-year-old son Donnacha with his first Classic and for the trainer an almost unbelievable 300th win at the elite level.

The winner of his three starts at two including the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy and Group II Beresford Stakes, Saxon Warrior (JPN) was untroubled to defeat Tip Two Win (Dark Angel) by one and a half-lengths with Masar (New Approach) a head back in third .(photo The Jockey Club).


"He travelled beautifully today and I thought I was the winner the whole way. I probably got a bit excited at the two pole, gave him a squeeze and got there too early," O'Brien told Racing Post

"He is an absolute monster of a horse, so, you never know, he could improve again. I was very impressed."

Following the path that was trailblazed by John Messara, Coolmore is reaping the rewards of sending some of their best mares to Japan's sire sensation Deep Impact.

Saxon Warrior is the second foal out of the Galileo's European Champion 2yo Filly Maybe, whose five wins included the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stud Stakes and was third in the 1000 Guineas.

Maybe's first foal, the stakes-placed Pavlenko (Jpn) is also by Deep Impact.

From the family of Epsom Derby winner Dr Devious and the successful stallions Archway and Shinko King, Maybe has a yearling colt by American Pharoah and was covered by War Front.

Aidan O'Brien was at Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby where the undercard featured the victory of Heart's Cry (IRE) colt Yoshida (JPN) in the Grade 1 Turf Classic.

Purchased by John McCormack for 94 million yen as a yearling in Japan, the Northern Farm-bred Yoshida is the second foal of the Grade 1 Ballerina Stakes winner Hilda's Passion (Canadian Frontier) who was sold for $1,225,000 at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Winner of four races and second three times from eight starts, Yoshida is a son of the Sunday Silence stallion Heart's Cry (JPN) who is most notable in this part of the world as the sire of Caulfield Cup hero Admire Rakti as well Grand Cheval who was famously guided by Hugh Bowman to victory in the 2017 Japan Cup.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.