Japanese Group One Winner Adds Shine to Australian Pedigrees

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 29
Undefeated Lord Kanaloa colt Saturnalia made it three wins in as many starts when taking out the Group I Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama in Japan on Friday, a result interesting for Australians as his grand-dam Kirov Premiere (Jpn) spent most of her stud career at Arrowfield Stud and has three daughters at stud all with yearlings headed for sales next year.

Saturnalia - HorseRacinginJapan TwitterTrained by Kazuya Nakatake, two year-old Saturnalia ran clear to win the 2000m contest by a length and a half becoming the second Group I winner for his sire Lord Kanaloa, whose star daughter Almond Eye won the Japan Cup this year.

"I feel great," said winning rider Mirco Demuro.

"I knew I was riding the strongest 2-year-old of the season, but it was his first time over 2,000 meters, so I was a little worried. He really showed his strength, though, squeezing his way through the narrow opening.

"I am really looking forward to his 3-year-old season,"

Saturnalia is a half-brother to Group I Japan Cup winner Epihaneia and Leontes, who also won the Hopeful Stakes and was the Champion 2YO Colt of Japan in 2015.

They are among seven winners from Group I winner Cesario, the best winner left by Kirov Premiere, who was sent to Australia the year after she was born.

Kirov Premiere died in 2014, but has three daughters at stud in Kirovskaya, Vishneva and Savannahs' Choice, who has already left an Australian stakes-winner in Overshare who has just finished his first season at Spendthrift Farm.

Arrowfield Stud will offer a Real Impact (Jpn) colt from Kirovskaya at the Magic Millions as Lot 1015 and he is pictured below.




They will also offer a Not a Single Doubt colt from Vishneva at Inglis Easter, while Torryburn Stud will offer the More Than Ready (USA) colt from Savannah's Choice at Inglis Easter.



Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 19
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
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.