A winner in last season's 1800-meter Spring S., he was a well beaten 10th in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) prior to finishing fourth in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) over 2400 meters. He concluded his 3-year-old season with a victory in Hanshin's G3 Challenge Cup in December.

Breaking sharply from the outer stall this time, Bellagio Opera rushed into contention and settled just behind Stunning Rose (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) who led the way. Keeping that front-running rival in his sights through the final two turns, the second betting choice took over before the 200-meter pole and managed to fend off a game Rousham Park by a nose with fast-closing Rouge Eveil (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) getting up for third. Race favorite Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}) hugged the rails in fourth and shifted slightly to the outside after entering the lane to make bid, but the colt was one paced and gradually fell back in the last 200 meters to finish 11th.

Jockey-turned-trainer Hiroyuki Uemura, who opened his yard in 2019, celebrated his first JRA Group 1 and fifth graded title while jockey Kazuo Yokoyama registered his third Group 1 title.

“I was so disappointed when we lost the Derby that I really wanted to win a Group 1 with this horse. So, I'm really, really happy. Bellagio Opera has very good maneuverability, and I knew that he was in good condition, so I decided to race him toward the front. He's really strong when it comes to a close rally. I'm glad he held off his rivals,” commented jockey Kazuo Yokoyama.

Pedigree Notes:
The 10th Group 1 winner for Lord Kanaloa, Bellagio Opera is out of Air Routine, a sister to Group 3 winner Air Anthem (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S). and multiple group placed Satono Helios (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). This represents the family of Champion 3-year-old and Japanese Classic winner Air Shakur (Jpn).

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
OSAKA HAI-G1, ¥384,800,000, Hanshin, 3-31, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:58.20, fm.
1–BELLAGIO OPERA (JPN), 128, c, 4, Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
1st Dam: Air Routine (Jpn), by Harbinger (GB)
2nd Dam: Air Magdalene (Jpn), by Sunday Silence
3rd Dam: Air Deja Vu (Jpn), by Northern Taste
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Shorai Hayashida; B-Shadai Farm;
T-Hiroyuki Uemura; J-Kazuo Yokoyama; £203,360,000.
Lifetime Record: 8-5-1-0. . Werk Nick Rating: A++
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree
2–Rousham Park (Jpn), 128, h, 5, by Harbinger (GB)–Reinette
Groove (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). O-Sunday Racing;
B-Northern Farm; ¥80,960,000.
3–Rouge Eveil (Jpn), 123, m, 5, Just a Way (Jpn)–Nothing But
Dreams (GB), Frankel (GB). O-Tokyo Horse Racing; B-Shadai
Farm; ¥50,480,000.
Margins: NO, NK, 2; Odds: 2.60, 2.40, 31.80.
Also Ran: Stella Veloce (Jpn), Geoglyph (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Sol Oriens (Jpn), Stunning Rose (Jpn), Catedral (Jpn), Epiphany (Jpn), Tastiera (Jpn), Hayayakko (Jpn), Harper (Jpn), Mikki Gorgeous (Jpn), Killer Ability (Jpn), Licancabur (Jpn)
Click for the JRA chart & video. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Despite the presence of last year's winner Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), the Sunday Racing 3-year-old garnered favouritism at 7-5 in her first start beyond 2000 metres. Hopping at the start, Brede Wag perched next to the fence as Art House (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) carved out fractions of :49 for the first 800 metres and 1:37.50 for the 1600 metres while pressed by Roselite (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}).

Like the winner, Geraldina was not cleanly away from the stalls, but unlike Brede Weg's small hop, she attempted to kickstart her career over jumps, catching a fair bit of air. As a result, the intended frontrunner was instead briefly last and Ryan Moore had his hands full as she was three deep into the first turn. By the 600-metre mark she was just behind Brede Weg's, but several paths deeper into the course.

Brede Weg came off the fence for her run entering the straight, but treaded water for a bit before shifting gears. By the 200-metre mark she had dead aim on Art House, with Harper (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) also rallying strongly on her outside. Rouge Eveil (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) also flashed home strongly up the inside as the wire neared. At the line it was Brede Weg by three-quarters of a length over Rouge Eveil, who was a neck to the good of Harper. Geraldina's run flattened late and she ran on to be fifth, a half-length behind Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}).

“I was a bit worried about the soft ground but it was no problem for her,” said pilot Christophe Lemaire. “We couldn't break well but were able to travel in good position behind Harper. She was calm, responded well throughout the race and

pulled away strongly with her explosive kick.”

Second on debut last August, she graduated by six lengths at Tokyo in February and added another victory, this time over 2000 metres, at that venue in June. Brede Weg was runner-up in the G2 Rose S. at Hanshin in September.

Pedigree Notes

Brede Weg is the 46th stakes winner and 32nd group winner for her sire, who stands at Shadai Stallion Station. She is also his ninth top-level scorer and one of four Group 1 winners by the son of King Kamehameha (Jpn) out of mares by Sunday Silence or one of his sons.

Inner Urge missed to Lord Kanaloa for 2021, but currently has a Saturnalia (Jpn) yearling filly and foaled a colt by Harbinger this term. Inner Urge is also a full-sister to the Japanese Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Mikki Queen (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who won both the G1 Yushun Himba and G1 Shuka Sho.

The winner's second dam is the well-traveled Musical Way (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), who won a brace of French group races and was also placed in two editions of the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio as well as the 2007 G1 Hong Kong Cup. Musical Way brought 300,000gns from Katsumi Yoshida out of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2008.

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan
QUEEN ELIZABETH CUP-G1, ¥253,400,000, Kyoto, 11-12, 3yo/up, f, 2200mT, 2:12.60, fm.
1–BREDE WEG (JPN), 119, f, 3, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Inner Urge (Jpn), by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Musical Way (Fr), by Gold Away (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Mulika (Fr), by Procida
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN.
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Keisuke Miyata;
J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥133,780,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0,
¥170,798,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click
   for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Rouge Eveil (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Just a Way (Jpn)–Nothing But
Dreams (GB), by Frankel (GB). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
O-Tokyo Horse Racing; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥43,310,000.
3–Harper (Jpn), 119, f, 3, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Seresta (Arg), by
Jump Start. (¥86,000,000 Wlg '20 JRHAJUL). O-M's Racing;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥43,310,000.
Margins: 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 1.40, 12.30, 5.70.
Also Ran: Lilac (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn), Saliera (Jpn), Divina (Jpn), Izu Jo no Kiseki (Jpn), Shinryokuka (Jpn), Kukuna (Jpn), Big Ribbon (Jpn), Roseite (Jpn), Art House (Jpn), Gold Eclipse (Jpn), Magria Elena (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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The former Silk Racing Co., Ltd.'s colourbearer is the 35th member of the exclusive club after garnering 200 votes (96.6%) of the 207 available. Fellow Japanese Triple Crown Winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) gained 155 votes, one short of the minimum requirement for entry.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda said, “It is a great honor to have Almond Eye selected for the award. From her debut in 2017 until her retirement at the Japan Cup in 2020, she won the Triple Crown for fillies and nine Group 1 races and was also the representative Horse of the Year twice.

“Almond Eye is outstanding both physically and mentally and has always lived up to our high expectations and kept dreaming about what kind of performance she will show in the next race.

“I have nothing but gratitude for the owners who entrusted me with such a famous horse… and the fans who supported me together. Being involved with Almond Eye as a horse trainer has been a great asset for me and the stable staff, and I will continue to devote myself to it.”

Bred by Northern Racing, the bay electrified the racing world with seven straight victories after breaking her maiden at second asking as a juvenile. In her third start and 3-year-old bow, she won the G3 Shinzan Kinen, her last appearance below Group 1 level. After sweeping the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown (Oka Sho, Yushun Himba, Shuka Sho) in the spring and autumn of 2018, Almond Eye claimed her first Japan Cup and earned her first Horse of the Year title. Sent to Meydan for the Dubai Turf at four, she won again and was third in the Yasuda Kinen back in her native land before taking the Tenno Sho (Autumn).  Uncharacteristically off the board in the G1 Arima Kinen at the end of her 4-year-old season, she won the Victoria Mile, ran second in the Yasuda Kinen, and won both the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Japan Cup at five, good for her second Horse of the Year laurels. Almond Eye was retired with a mark of 15-11-2-1 and over $17.6 million in earnings.

The daughter of Fusaichi Pandora (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) has colts by Epiphaneia (Jpn) and Maurice (Jpn) born in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

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5.35 Navan, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo/up, c/g, 8fT
BALLSBRIDGE (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is the first foal out of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the sister to Gleneagles (Ire), Marvellous (Ire) and Joan Of Arc (Ire) from the Giant's Causeway dynasty. One of two Ballydoyle newcomers set for this test, the bay who was described by his trainer as a “little bit laidback” on Monday unsurprisingly sports blinkers and is the pick of Ryan Moore over Drumroll (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a full-brother to Saxon Warrior (Jpn). Among the other first-time starters is Moyglare Stud's Time Tells All (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a half-brother to last year's Irish 1000 Guineas-winning sensation Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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Breaking in good order from barrier 13 over a rain-drenched course, First Force was pushed along by Taisei Danno to hold an outside spot from mid-pack and contentedly tracked pacesetters from that position. Taking closer order with 600 metres to the wire, he unfurled his closing kick from between rivals the length of the stretch and collared Travesura (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) in the last 100 to pull away for a length score. Namura Clair followed the winner into the straight and showed good acceleration to reach contention to claim runner-up honors in the final strides before the line.

“I thought our gate number turned out for the better as the track today seemed to work better for those on the outside. The trip went smoothly for us, much better than I had expected. I was able to give him a short breather before the fourth corner and he responded well at the homestretch,” commented jockey Taisei Danno, who also picked up his first Group 1 victory here and his fourth Group win. Conditioner Masayuki Nishimura would also make personal history claiming his career-first Group 1 victory since opening his yard in 2015, here.

First Force is out of MSP Rush Life, who claims five winners from eight to race including his accomplished half-brother A Day In The Life (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Their dam is herself a half-sister to millionaire SW Tagano Dangerous (Jpn) (End Sweep) as well as to the dam of SP Single Up (Jpn) (Kinshasa no Kiseki {Aus}). This is the extended female family of Japanese champion older mare Louisiana Pit (Jpn), MGSW Meisho Naruto (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), and MGSP Epicharis (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}). Rush Life's more recent offspring on course include 5-year-old Alcione (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who went undefeated in six starts last season. The dam also has a 3-year-old filly Sterilize (Jpn) (Mikki Rocket {Jpn}) as well as a 2-year-old colt by Black Tide (Jpn). She is last reported due to Shuji (Jpn) for 2023.

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
TAKAMATSUNOMIYA KINEN-G1, ¥329,400,000, Chukyo, 3-26, 4yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.20, sf.
1–FIRST FORCE (JPN), 128, h, 7, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
           1st Dam: Rush Life (Jpn) (MSW-Jpn, $733,670), by Sakura Bakushin-Oh (Jpn)
           2nd Dam: Friend Lei (Jpn), by Danehill
           3rd Dam: Martin Miyuki (Jpn), by Maruzensky (Jpn)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Koji Yasuhara; B-Mishima Bokujo (Jpn); T-Masayuki Nishimura; J-Taisei Danno; ¥173,780,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Jpn, 25-4-5-1, ¥313,847,000. *Half to A Day In The Life (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $1,222,321. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com pedigree.
2–Namura Clair (Jpn), 123, f, 4, Mikki Isle (Jpn)–Sun Queen, by Storm Cat. O-Mutsuhiro Namur; B-Tanikawa Farm (Jpn); ¥69,080,000.
3–Travesura (Jpn), 128, h, 8, Dream Journey (Jpn)–Jaja Machan (Jpn), by Admire Cozzene (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Teruya Yoshida; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥43,540,000.
Margins: 1, HF, HF. Odds: 31.30, 4.40, 41.10
Also ran: Naran Huleg (Jpn), Grenadier Guards (Jpn), Lotus Land, Aguri (Jpn), Vento Voce (Jpn), Kir Lord (Jpn), Win Marvel (Jpn), Daddy's Vivid (Jpn), Meikei Yell (Jpn), Pixie Knight (Jpn), Divination (Jpn), Toshin Macau (Jpn), Water Navillera (Jpn), Opal Charme (Jpn), Buon Voyage (Jpn).
Click for the JRA chart and Video.

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Yahagi told Tospo-Keiba, “He is rated 121, and a one-turn left-handed 1800 meters is the best condition for Panthalassa. I think it will be an interesting challenge.”

Since his Meydan victory, he was unplaced in June's G1 Takarazuka Kinen, but ran second in both the Aug. 21 G2 Sapporo Kinen and the Oct. 30 G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn). In his most recent start, Panthalassa was 10 in the G1 Hong Kong cup.

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The remaining stallions and 2023 fees are: Saturnalia and Maurice (¥8Mil: €54,989)); Drefong and Rey D'oro (¥7Mil: €48,115); Bricks and Mortar (¥6Mil: €41,241); Poetic Flare (¥5Mil: €34,368); Mind Your Biscuits (¥4Mil: €27,493); Orfevre, Nadal, Harbinger and Rulership (¥3.5Mil: €24,056); Chrysoberyl, Real Steel and Le Vent Se Leve (¥3Mil: €20,619); Admire Mars, Satono Diamond, Siskin, New Year's Day and Mikki Isle (¥2.5Mil: €17,182); Suave Richard and Danon Kingly (¥2Mil: €13,746); Isla Bonita and Satono Crown (¥1.5Mil: €10,309); Satono Aladdin (¥1Mil: €6,873); Red Falx and Logotype (¥500,000: €3,436).

For more information, click here.

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Sent straight to the front by Seamie Heffernan, the imposing bay always looked comfortable and when asked to open up for the last couple of the seven furlongs responded impressively to put six lengths between her and the well-regarded Ger Lyons-trained Sweetest Rose (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), with another two lengths back to Zurana (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in third. “She has a classy pedigree and she felt very classy,” Heffernan said of the first TDN Rising Star for her sire who recorded a time a mammoth two seconds faster than the second division doing it all on her own. “She's big, clear-winded, has pace and she galloped out through the winning post. She was very impressive. Without doubt she'll be, at least, a stakes filly.”

Easy as you like for Beginnings who makes most for a straightforward success in the Irish Stallion Farms @IrishEBF_ Fillies' Maiden under the guidance of Seamie Heffernan for trainer Aidan O'Brien pic.twitter.com/itEFUzRYax

— Dundalk Stadium (@DundalkStadium) November 4, 2022

Pedigree Notes
Beginnings is the second foal out of Winter, who also broke her maiden over this course and distance in August 2016 when in the care of David Wachman before her career took off and who also garnered the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. after her Guineas double. Her dam, the Wokingham H. winner Laddies Poker Two (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) also produced Lovelier (Ire) by Galileo who captured the Listed Cairn Rouge S. and was second in the G2 Kilboy Estate S. Winter's next two foals are both by Justify, with last year yielding a colt and 2022 a filly.

3rd-Dundalk, €15,000, Mdn, 11-4, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:25.40, st.
BEGINNINGS, f, 2, by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn)
     1st Dam: Winter (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire, $1,424,358), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Laddies Poker Two (Ire), by Choisir (Aus)
     3rd Dam: Break Of Day, by Favorite Trick
Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $9,414. O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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2.00 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 5f 205yT
BEGINNINGS (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is the second foal out of the 1000 Guineas, Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. heroine Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is one of the Coolmore luminaries sent to Japan to be covered. Aidan O'Brien has opted for a six-furlong start for the March-foaled bay, whose second dam Laddies Poker Two (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) enjoyed her finest hour over it when winning the Wokingham H.

3.20 Yarmouth, Novice, £9,950, 2yo, f, 6f 3yT
TURQUOISE DIAMOND (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the third foal out of the G2 Lowther S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Besharah (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who was also third in the G1 Cheveley Park S. Responsible for last month's G3 Ballyogan S. scorer Perfect News (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the March-foaled bay debuts for her owner-breeder Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum and the William Haggas stable who have won three of the last five runnings.

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“It was a great feeling to have won in front of a big crowd like this. It was a close victory and I knew that the horses on the outside route were all coming up with a lot of force, so although I felt we had won crossing the wire, I had to be sure by watching the replay,” said winning jockey Yuga Kawada. “Danon Scorpion was in perhaps his best condition coming into this race so I had a lot of confidence [despite a wide draw]. He was in good rhythm and balance so I had no worries.”

With a pair of wins at two, including the Listed Hagi S., he concluded the 2021 season with a third in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1,600m). He was seventh in his 3-year-old debut in the G3 Kyodo News Hai in February but bounced back to win the Apr. 16 G3 Arlington Cup.

Pedigree Note:

Danon Scorpion is out of Canadian Horse of the Year Lexie Lou, winner of the 2014 Queen's Plate, the first jewel in Canada's Triple Crown. A $5,577 yearling purchase at the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society, Lexie Lou also earned Champion 3-year-old Filly honors in 2014, the same season she annexed the Woodbine Oaks. Lexie Lou retired with 10 wins from 24 starts and earnings of more than $1.9 million. Nine of her wins came in stakes races, including the GII Dance Smartly S., GII Nassau S., and GIII Autumn Miss S. She also ran second to Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome in the 2014 GI Hollywood Derby. Offered at the Keeneland November sale in 2016, she realized a $1-million final bid from K I Farm.

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