Saturday, April 13, 2024
1st-FKS, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 3yo, 1150m
ECORO KAISER (c, 3, American Pharoah–High Heeled Girl, by Malibu Moon), a $180,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, was hammered down to Emmanuel de Seroux's Narvick International for $300,000 after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 flat ahead of last year's OBS April Sale. The colt's dam, a $75,000 acquisition by Stonehaven Steadings at Keeneland November in 2016, is a daughter of two-time stakes winner and multiple Grade I-placed High Heeled Hope (Salt Lake), also the dam of Grade III winner Lady T N T (Justin Phillip). The mare's current 2-year-old, a filly by Nyquist, made $750,000 at this year's OBS March sale after hammering for $250,000 at KEESEP last fall. B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY)

2nd-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
TOKUSHI GENERAL (JPN) (c, 3, Omaha Beach–Lucky Number, by Smart Strike), knocked down for $110,000 with this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, is out of an unraced half-sister to GISW Got Lucky (A.P. Indy), the dam of SW & GSP Slip Mahoney (Arrogate) and GSP Overtook (Curlin). The Grade III-winning third dam, a full-sister to champion Rhythm, produced MGSW/GISP Daydreaming (A.P. Indy), GISW Girolamo (A.P. Indy), MGSW/GISP Acclerator (A.P. Indy) and the dam of GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver (Maria's Mon) and GSWs Cyrus Alexander (Medaglia d'Oro) and Brethren (Distorted Humor). B-Yuki Dendo

3rd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 3yo, 2000m
XEBEC (JPN) (c, 3, Gun Runner–Stellar Agent, by More Than Ready) is the first foal from his dam, a longshot third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf in 2018 and sold carrying this colt for $400,000 at KEENOV in 2020. A daughter of the stakes-placed Lawn Party (Medaglia d'Oro), Stellar Agent is a half-sister to SW Anaconda (Pioneerof the Nile) and the deeper female family includes champions Flanders (Seeking the Gold) and her daughter Surfside (Seattle Slew). Ryusei Sakai rides for Yahagi. B-Mishima Bokujo

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Sunday, March, 17, 2024
2nd-CKO, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400m
LA LA MONSTRE (c, 3, Mitole–Speightastic, by Speightstown), a $390,000 KEESEP acquisition, was unplaced in a couple of tries on the grass last November and switches to the dirt for his sophomore debut. The colt's dam, a full-sister to three-time stakes winner and Grade III-placed Bayerd, was purchased by Cove Springs for $65,000 at KEENOV in 2017, and her now 2-year-old colt by Not This Time was hammered down to Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm for $725,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. B-Cove Springs LLC (KY)

1st-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
AMERICAN RUNNER (c, 3, Gun Runner–Acqua Fresh (Uru), by Ecclesiastic) was a debut ninth going a mile over the Tokyo dirt last November but improved to be second with a stretch out to this trip at this venue Feb. 25. The January foal, a $125,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of the Uruguayan champion 3-year-old filly of 2016 who changed hands for $45,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale. This is also the female family of Repent and Canadian champion King Ruckus. Christophe Lemaire has the call. B-Michael J Snyder & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY)

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Sunday, March 10, 2024
3rd-CKO, ¥10,400,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1400mT
KAFUJI NIHONIUM (c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Broken Dreams, by Broken Vow) represents six generations of Glen Hill Farm breeding and is out of a Grade III-winning dam who produced Caribou Club (City Zip), a graded winner in California, Maryland and Canada. A $190,000 Keeneland September yearling, the May-foaled chestnut counts GI Breeders' Cup Distaff upsetter One Dreamer (Relaunch) as his third dam. B-Glen Hill Farm (KY)

3rd-HSN, ¥10,480,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
JUN FIRENZE (JPN) (c, 3, Ghostzapper–Street Cash, by Street Boss), whose dam cost $95,000 with this colt in utero at the 2020 Keeneland November sale, is out of a daughter of 2000 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Collect the Cash (Dynaformer), also the dam of 2010 GI Toyota Blue Grass S. winner Stately Victor (Ghostzapper) and the GSP duo of Hot Cash (Ghostzapper) and Bay Street Money (Street Sense). An April foal, the bay colt changed hands for ¥16.5 million ($120,495) at the 2022 Hokkaido Selection Yearling Sale. B-Yuki Dendo

11th-HSN, Fillies' Revue-G2, ¥99m ($688k), 3yo, f, 1400mT
JUNE BLAIR (f, 3, American Pharoah–Lap of Luxury {Ire}) carried Yutaka Take to a half-length victory in a 1200-meter newcomers event at Nakayama Oct. 1 (see below, SC 1) and was not beaten far when seventh behind eventual champion Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice) in the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. when tried over a mile at Kyoto Nov. 11. The $275,000 Keeneland September acquisition is out of a half-sister to Group 1-winning sire Dutch Art (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and a full-sister to GSW/G1SP Keeneland November topper Up (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose four winners from six to race include last year's GII Lake Placid S. winner Aspray (Quality Road), G1SP Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) and GSP Khartoum (Pioneerof the Nile). She makes her first start in sex-restricted company here. B-Diamond Creek Farm (KY)

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Saturday, February 24, 2024
3rd-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
OTANISAN (c, 3, Justify–American Song {Arg}, by Stripes Song {Arg}) is the first foal from his dam, a Group 1 winner in Argentina who was exported to the U.S. in 2019 and was covered by this Triple Crown winner the following season. Having produced this colt in Kentucky in early April 2021, the half-sister to dual Group 1 scorer Mystery Train (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}) was bred to American Pharoah prior to her export to Japan. She foaled a colt in April 2022 who fetched better than $509,000 when offered at the JRHA Select Sale just over three months later. B-Grand Bokujo (KY)

Nikkan Sports reports: “3yo OTANISAN (his name comes from Mr. O(h)tani ?) (JUSTIFY ex the Stripes Song mare American Song ) is yet to make a debut. He worked five-furlongs on the wood chip track at MIHO Training Centre, timed in 65.8, the last 1F in 11.6.” https://t.co/mKBJztfkQc

— Katy (@InLuv_w_Horses) February 15, 2024

Sunday, February 25, 2024
1st-KOK, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m
SING MY BLUES (c, 3, War Front–Solo Piano, by Empire Maker), a half-brother to British listed winner and Group 3-placed Purser (Mizzen Mast) and the stakes-placed Clavichord (Super Saver), is out of a daughter of 2001 GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. winner Flute (Seattle Slew), also the dam of GSW & MGISP Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). Solo Piano is also kin to the dam of GSW Current (Curlin) and GISW Weep No More (Mineshaft)–dam of two winners in Japan–and cost $35,000 in foal to Flintshire (GB) at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. B-Galteemore Bloodstock, Grouseridge Ltd & OPA Bloodstock (KY)

5th-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT
SHIMAI (JPN) (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Lyrical Moment, by Unbridled's Song) was purchased for $190,000 in utero at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale and is out of a granddaughter of Be a Prospector (Mr. Prospector), whose multiple Grade III-winning daughter Away (Dixieland Band) was responsible for the ill-fated MGSW & GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song). B-Mishima Bokujo

The post Justify Colt Otanisan On ‘Sho’ at Nakayama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“Planning matings is always fun, putting all the tools you have available to make the best decision for your mare in hope of breeding the next champion,” said Barry, a long-time advisor to the late Josephine Abercrombie and now serving the farm's current owners, Jim and Dana Bernhard. “As a team, we sit around the table and make the best decisions we can to help our mares achieve the best outcome. Here is a sample of our choices.”

SWEET SAMI D (8, First Samurai–Treaty of Kadesh, by Victory Gallop)

She is a young graded-stakes mare and earner of over $250,000. Her first foal is now a yearling by Gun Runner, and she is currently in foal to Flightline. She will return to Gun Runner in 2024, as the yearling is very nice and the cross has already produced two Grade I winners in Echo Zulu and Gunite.

Welcome to the world, little one! Sweet Sami D foaled this Flightline (@LanesEndFarms) colt last night. #FoalFriday #Foalsof2024 pic.twitter.com/GdE5wbakGU

— Pin Oak Stud (@PinOakStud) February 9, 2024

QUERELLE (8, Violence–Orbital Affair, by El Corredor)

A very attractive young mare by Violence who earned $187,000, she has a very racy yearling filly by Constitution and is in foal to Tapit. We plan to send her to Street Sense this year. The team thinks the size and substance of Street Sense will help this mare–what a solid sire he has become, and he gets a top horse yearly. The cross has produced four stakes winners in 16% with a Grade III winner in First Mission.

OMA THE GREAT (5, Tapit–Rise Above, by Violence)

We bought this mare in foal to Candy Ride (Arg) at Keeneland November ($60,000). She is a winning daughter of Tapit from the family of Grade I winner Twilight Eclipse and Grade III scorer Grand Contender. She will visit the very underrated sire, American Pharoah. A very similar mating has produced the Grade I-winning filly Harvey's Lil Goil, and the American Pharoah over Tapit cross is yielding 30% stakes winners.

MIND OUT (7, Tapit–Kid Majic, by Lemon Drop Kid)

She is another Tapit mare that we bought in 2021 ($1.2m KEENOV). A 'TDN Rising Star', she is half-sister to graded stakes-placed Miss Mischief and is multiple stakes-placed herself. The mare seems to have a lot of her family coming through and needs some refinement and athleticism. That is the reason we have chosen Gun Runner for her in 2024 and look to illuminate the success of Gun Runner with Tapit mares (Grade I winner Society, Grade II winner Wicked Halo).

GLITTER AND GOLD (9, Bodemeister–Expo Gold, by Johannesburg)

A winning half-sister to champion and GI Preakness S. winner Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), her first foal is now a 2-year-old by Curlin named Cajun Curls who is pre-training at the farm. She has an excellent Tapit yearling colt, so that is the main reason for Glitter and Gold to visit Tapit again this year.

DIAMOND SPARKLES (7, War Front–Diamondsandrubies {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})

She is a winning graded stakes-placed mare from an amazing prolific family–that of Group 1 winners Diamondsandrubies, Quarter Moon (Ire) and Yesterday (Ire). We have had a nice update in the 3-year-old half-sister with Aidan O'Brien named Pearls and Rubies (No Nay Never), showing a lot of promise (second in the 2023 G1 Cheveley Park S.) and will be one to watch this year. The mare will visit the sire of the moment, Not This Time. She looks a lot like her sire, War Front, and we believe this mating will offer her some size and scope. There are four very amazing broodmares up close in this mating: Mariah's Storm, Miss Macy Sue, Starry Dancer and Quarter Moon.

CORE VALUES (6, Honor Code–Sweet Awakening, by Street Cry {Ire})

A very attractive daughter of Honor Code (a broodmare sire of the future), she is a multiple stakes and graded stakes-placed winner of over $220,000 and half-sister to Are You Kidding Me, a champion in Canada with earnings over $1 million. The mare is currently in foal to Curlin and will visit Candy Ride (Arg) this year. This cross has produced 20 stakes winners to date, including Grade I winners Game Winner, Ollie's Candy and Mastery.

COMPETITIVE SPEED (6, Competitive Edge–Shopped Out, by Mineshaft)

A nice, young stakes-winning and graded stakes-placed mare of $191,000, this mare was purchased in November 2022 and produced a Maxfield colt last year. She is in foal to Justify and will visit Constitution this year as the cross has produced two Grade I winners. The team at Pin Oak really likes the sire; we have a 3-year-old, 'TDN Rising Star' Parchment Party, that is 2-for-2, and we bought two yearlings in September that we like a lot and are pre-training at the farm.

BROADWAY LADY (7, Constitution–Livi Makenzie, by Macho Uno)

She is a young Grade III-placed mare we purchased in 2022 ($500,000 KEENOV) from the family of GIII Ohio Derby winner Tawny Port and Grade II winner Surf Cat. She will visit Candy Ride (Arg) this year. Constitution is a young broodmare sire, so we are hoping his sire's Tapit's affinity for Candy Ride comes into play.

Broadway Lady | Keeneland

SUMMERTIME MAGIC (5, Carpe Diem–Tap Softly, by Tapit)

We purchased this mare in November ($225,000 KEENOV). She is a stakes winner in Canada and from the family of Silver Prospector, winner of the GII Kentucky Jockey Club. She is currently in foal to the exciting young sire Jackie's Warrior and visits Twirling Candy in 2024. A similar cross has produced Grade I winners Pinehurst and Rombauer.

CHECKERED EMPIRE (6, Empire Maker–Checkered Past, by Smart Strike)

This young mare is a recent purchase and is a very elegant filly by Empire Maker with size and substance. She is the full sister to multiple Grade II winner and Grade I-placed Messier. She will visit Twirling Candy and this mating has inbreeding to the great mare Toussaud. We are hoping we can have some of that Juddmonte magic rub off on her.

The post Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: Pin Oak Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024
1st-TOK, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, f, 1400m
COLLEVILLE (JPN) (f, 3, Omaha Beach–Tiz a Chick, by Tiznow), who was purchased for $200,000 in utero by J S Company at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, is out of an own sister to 2009 GII Demoiselle S. heroine Tizahit, who has since gone on to produce GI Ballerina S. winner Come Dancing (Malibu Moon), GSP So Darn Hot (Ghostzapper) and the dam of SW & MGSP Skipalute (Midnight Lute). This is also the female family of Tiznow's champion 2-year-old filly Folklore, multiple Eclipse Award winner Essential Quality (Tapit) and Japanese Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). B-Kazuyoshi Yamagami

4th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($79k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m
KENJO (c, 3, Gun Runner–Be Fair, by Exchange Rate) is a half-brother to 2022 GI Del Mar Debutante S. winner And Tell Me Nolies (Arrogate) whose Grade III-winning and GI Apple Blossom H.-placed dam was purchased for $35,000 with this colt in utero at the 2021 OBS January Sale. An April foal, Kenjo also made an appearance at OBS, selling for $200,000 at last year's April Sale, having made $150,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November in 2021. Be Fair is a half-sister to GISW Macho Again (Macho Uno). B-Lara Run LLC (KY)

4th-TOK, ¥11,850,000 ($79k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600m
WIDE ETOILE (f, 3, Justify–Overheard, by Macho Uno) is the latest to the races for her dam, a two-time graded winner on the grass for the late Josephine Abercrombie's Pin Oak Stud and trainer Malcolm Pierce. A daughter of SW Whisper To Me (Thunder Gulch) and from the extended family of the Grade I-winning juvenile filly Confessional (Holy Bull), Overheard was purchased by Arch Bloodstock for $300,000 in foal to McKinzie out of the Pin Oak sale at Fasig-Tipton and produced a colt in 2022 who has since been sent to Russia. Overheard passed away in 2022. B-The Justify Syndicate & Pin Oak Stud LLC (KY)

Sunday, February 18, 2024
9th-TOK, Hyacinth S.-Listed, ¥36,200,000 ($241k), 3yo, 1600m
PIKARI (f, 3, Twirling Candy–Laudation, by Congrats) fetched $265,000 from Redwings Enterprises at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale before blossoming into a $900,000 OBS March breezer that was purchased by trainer Hideyuki Mori for owner Susumu Fujita. Placed once from three starts on the grass to begin her career, she switched to the dirt for the first time in her most recent appearance and managed to break her maiden going six furlongs (see below, SC 9). She tries a one-turn mile in this spot. Pikari's dam is a daughter of GSW Rite Moment (Vicar), herself responsible for the Group 3-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Mimi Kakushi (City of Light) and dual stakes winner Moment Is Right (Medaglia d'Oro). Woods Edge Farm acquired Laudation for $150,000 with this filly in utero at KEENOV in 2020. B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY)

The post Twirling Candy’s $900k Pikari Steps Up To Listed Company in Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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WATCH: Awesome Result makes it five in a row

The post Justify’s Awesome Result Remains Perfect at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Saturday, January 13, 2024
4th-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m
DANON K TWO (JPN) (c, 3, Justify–Enticed {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) is the first foal from a mare that cost 800,000gns ($1.1 million) at the 2017 Tattersalls October Sale and who was entered for, but withdrawn from the 2020 Keeneland November sale with this colt in utero. Enticed is kin to seven winners from nine to race, including 2017 G1 Irish Derby and G1 St Leger winner Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), SW & GSP Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3 winner and G1 Irish Oaks third Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Group 3 winner Cypress Creek (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the dam of 2022 G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}). B-Mishima Bokujo

4th-NKY, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m
ERIKA VENEZIA (f, 3, Curlin–First Passage, by Giant's Causeway), a $370,000 Keeneland September graduate, is out of a Grade III-winning dam who is also responsible for Grade III winner Berned (Bernardini) and MGSP First to Act (Curlin). The dual stakes-winning second dam Win's Fair Lady (Dehere), who twice fetched seven figures as a broodmare, was a full-sister to MGSW/GISP Graeme Hall and a half to Grade I winner Harmony Lodge (Hennessy) and GSW Win McCool (Giant's Causeway). Win's Fair Lady's half-sister Giant Win (Giant's Causeway) bred GISW Pinehurst (Twirling Candy). B-AR Enterprises LLC (KY)

Sunday, January 14, 2024
3rd-KYO, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m
DISTANT SKY (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Elisheva, by Smart Strike) is the second foal out of a daughter of champion Believe (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), whose notable produce includes G1 Sprinters' S. winner Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) MSW & G1SP Faridat (Kingmambo) and SW & GSP Fiducia (Medaglia d'Oro). Third dam Great Christine (Danzig) was a half-sister to Horse of the Year Lady's Secret (Secretariat). B-North Hills Co Ltd (KY)

5th-KOK, ¥11,850,000 ($82k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT
ALFHEIMR (f, 3, Arrogate–Duff One, by Harlan's Holiday), whose Grade II-placed dam was sold for $60,000 carrying this filly at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, was a $125,000 purchase as a foal at the same event 12 months later and fetched $80,000 at Keeneland September in the fall of 2022.  This is the deep Alexander family that traces back to champion Althea, and Alfheimr's stakes-winning third dam Amelia (Dixieland Band) is responsible for MGSW/GISP Rainha Da Bateria (Broken Vow) and Japanese Group 2 winner Rabbit Run (Tapit), whose 3-year-old daughter Bunny Hop (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) makes her second career start Saturday at Kyoto. Duff One was bought back on a bid of $40,000 at Keeneland January this past week when offered in foal to Maclean's Music. B-Theta Holdings 1 Inc (KY)

The post Beautifully Bred Justify Colt Gets Going at Kyoto appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Drawn 15 of 15 for Sunday's 1800-metre event, Godolphin's Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) not only had that to overcome, but also lingering questions as to his ability to stay a trip this far. After all, his trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka needed some convincing by the Godolphin braintrust to try him in the G1 February S., a 1600-metre affair, which he duly won with something in the locker.

A trip to Dubai was ultimately decided upon, the G1 Golden Shaheen (1200m) versus the G2 Godolphin Mile. Lemon Pop was ultimately no factor, but even as many as eight months ago, Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney mentioned the Champions Cup as a potential target in a Q&A with this reporter ahead of World Cup night. That brand of outside-the-box thinking paid off handsomely Sunday afternoon at Chukyo Racecourse, as Lemon Pop became the fourth horse to win both JRA Group 1 dirt races in the same calendar year.

Favoured–albeit midly so at $3.80 (14-5)–Lemon Pop broke a bit to his right, but very alertly, and managed to show enough speed to come across the entire field and lead out from this year's G2 UAE Derby runner-up Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) with 2021 winner T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) enjoying the gun run from third.

Lemon Pop had done some work to get there, having clocked :23.5 for the opening 400 metres, but he came back to Ryusei Sakai and got the opening 800m in :48.8, with Dura Erede keeping him honest. Traveling nicely within himself with his jockey sitting against him–similar to his win in the February–Lemon Pop was clear into the straight, pinched what appeared to be a winning break and was home comfortably first as Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) jumped out of the ground for second at rough odds. Dura Erede settled for a creditable third. Multiple international group winner Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) was disappointing in 11th with a bit of a wide trip, while the previously unbeaten Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) finished 10th.

“Christmas has come early for us in Japan! And indeed if Santa Claus doesn't turn up in three weeks' time, we won't be too upset,” Sweeney said on the Godolphin website. “Lemon Pop was awesome today–there can be no denying that. No horse drawn in the outside three stalls has even made the frame in the last decade, so Lemon Pop needed to overcome the obstacle of the widest draw of all. Also, doing it from the front is probably not the easiest way to win a Group 1, but he had little alternative because of the draw and it was another excellent ride for Ryusei Sakai. In truth, he looked all over the winner when turning in–he was still traveling very well while everyone else was hard at work.”

In the aforementioned Q&A, Sweeney spoke of the honour of bringing a Godolphin-owned Japanese-based runner to Dubai to race before His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. A similar plan was in the works in 2021, when Lemon Pop was an intended runner in the UAE Derby, having won the 2020 Cattleya Sho on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. But the injury bug bit, dashing those plans. His victory Sunday opens a few more doors as the calendar turns to 2024.

“Though five years old, he is relatively lightly raced and over four seasons has only run a total of 14 times,” Sweeney said. “As he is in great form, we are hoping to keep him in training for another year and will be considering the G1 Saudi Cup before hopefully going back to Dubai in March.”

A horse that has passed every test that's been set for him, Lemon Drop would have to be considered a major player in Riyadh and/or at Meydan.

A big thrill…the wonderful Lemon Pop, who we bred in the USA, wins another Group 1.
He is arguably the best horse on dirt in Japan and the global stage awaits in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Congrats to his owner @godolphin and to @PadraigCampion who raised him for us in Kentucky. https://t.co/aZFRogRwki

— Twin Hills Stud (@TwinHillsStud) December 3, 2023

Pedigree Notes:

On behalf of former Darley executive Olly Tait and his wife, Blandford Bloodstock went to 165,000gns for Unreachable from the Juddmonte draft at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Unreachable is a daughter of Harpia, a full-sister to the highly influential Danehill as well as Eagle Eyed and Shibboleth, etc., and is a half-sister to the stakes-placed First Word (Chester House) and Redesdale (Speightstown). This is also the family of Dundonnell (First Defence), a Group 3 winner in England, a listed winner in Hong Kong and Group 3-placed in Dubai.

Unreachable was offered in foal to Good Magic at the 2020 Keeneland January Sale and was led out unsold on a bid of $55,000, but Chad Schumer acquired the mare privately for $50,000 on behalf of Jay and Christine Hayden's Saintsbury Farms. Schumer also purchased Redesdale for $18,000 at the 2016 January Sale and he now stands at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in the state of New York. The colt Unreachable was carrying at the time of her acquisition–an Ontario-bred 3-year-old now named Equivoque–would go on to fetch $325,000 from China Horse Club/Gandharvi at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and CHC bought out the partnership for $240,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale. Equivoque, an impressive debut winner at Keeneland this past April and an allowance second at Churchill on Derby Day May 6, has recently returned to training at Todd Pletcher's South Florida base at Palm Beach Downs after spending some time at WinStar Farm .

Unreachable is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Magic Rush (Good Magic) and a yearling colt by Maclean's Music that sold for $310,000 to Powerstown Stud at this year's Keeneland September sale. Unreachable, now 14 years of age, did not produce a foal this year and was bred back to Curlin.

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,740,000, Chukyo, 12-3, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.60, ft.
1–LEMON POP, 128, h, 5, by Lemon Drop Kid
1st Dam: Unreachable, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Harpia, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Razyana, by His Majesty
($70,000 Wlg '18 KEENOV). O-Godolphin; B-Mr & Mrs Oliver S Tait (KY); T-Hiroyasu Tanaka; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥123,318,000. Lifetime Record: 14-10-3-0, ¥481,756,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Chesutoke Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings; B-Ryoken Farm; ¥48,948,000.
3–Dura Erede (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Duramente (Jpn)–Marchesa (Jpn), by Orfevre (Jpn). (¥100,000,000 Ylg '21 JRHAJUL). O-Three H Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥30,474,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NK. Odds: 2.80, 91.00, 30.20.
Also Ran: T O Keynes (Jpn), Meisho Hario (Jpn), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn), Make a Leap (Jpn), Notturno (Jpn), Ater Astrea (Jpn), Seraphic Call (Jpn), Crown Pride (Jpn), Keiai Shelby (Jpn), Gloria Mundi (Jpn), Icon Tailor (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart and VIDEO.

The post Lemon Pop Defies Doubters, History In Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Saturday, November 18, 2023
5th-KYO, ¥13,720,000 ($91k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT
EVEN NOW (f, 2, Catholic Boy–Evening Call, by Tapit), a $385,000 in-utero purchase by Katsumi Yoshida at Keeneland November in 2020, is out of an unraced daughter of SW For Royalty (Not For Love), the dam of GI La Brea S. winner Constellation (Bellamy Road), three-time stakes winner Truth Seeker (Into Mischief) and an additional pair of black-type performers. Even Now will be campaigned in the Sunday Racing colors. B-Northern Farm (KY)

11th-TOK, Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai S.-G2, ¥72m, 2yo, 1800mT
CIRCLE OF JOY (JPN) (c, 2, Constitution–Mirth, by Colonel John) belied debut odds of nearly 10-1 going this distance at Hanshin Sept. 10, coming from behind midfield to graduate in professional fashion (video, SC 4). The chestnut is the first foal from his dam, the GI Rodeo Drive S. heroine who was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.05 million with this colt in utero at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Circle of Joy is bred on the same cross as Classic winner Tiz the Law, GSW We the People and SW/GISP Never Surprised, et al. B-Shunsuke Yoshida

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