3 minute read

Son of Galileo lands Ormonde Stakes

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Japan (5 h Galileo - Shastye by Danehill) snapped a losing streak that stretched back to his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) at York in 2019 when he landed the Ormonde Stakes (Gr 3, 1m5½f) at Chester on Thursday. 

The son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) also landed the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr 1, 2400m) as a three-year-old, but failed to salute the judge in five starts as a four-year-old last season. 

However, he got his career back on track when he defeated Group 2 winner Trueshan (Planteur) by three-quarters of a length, while Sonnyboyliston (Power) was another three and a half lengths away in third. 

"He's a beautiful horse we've always held in high regard," said the winning jockey Ryan Moore. "He won a Juddmonte. Last year was tough for him but hopefully that'll give him a bit of confidence and he'll come on for the run.

"He doesn't really enjoy that dead ground and the trip is as far as he wants to go. He's got a great mind. Hopefully that's a good omen."

Japan holds three Group 1 entries, and Moore added: "I'd say the Coronation Cup is a possibility – he ran well in the Derby – and he'll be in the frame for a lot of the bigger races later on in the year."

Japan was purchased by Coolmore’s MV Magnier for 1,300,000gns at the Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017. 

The five-year-old entire hails from a blue-blood family, being out of winning and Listed-placed Danehill (Danzig) mare Shastye, making him a brother to dual Group 1 winner Mogul, while he is also a brother to Group 2 winner Secret Gesture and Group 3 scorer Sir Isaac Newton and a half-brother to Australian Listed scorer Maurus (Medicean). 

Shastye herself is out of Group 2 winner Saganeca (Sagaca), making her a half-sister to 1998 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Sagamix (Linamix) and other top-flight scorers Sagacity (Highest Honor) and Sageburg (Johannesburg). 

Japan is one of 333 stakes winners and 89 top-flight scorers for Coolmore’s peerless stallion Galileo and he is represented in Australia by his sire sons, Adelaide and Churchill, who both stand at Coolmore Stud, while Highland Reel shuttles to Swettenham Stud in Victoria.