Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of World Horse Racing
Japan
Jantar Mantar lands maiden Group 1, remains unbeaten
Soon after it was announced that Palace Malice (USA) would be relocating to Japan in time for the 2024 breeding season, his 2-year-old son Jantar Mantar (Jpn) notched his third win from as many starts and first at the top tier when proving too good in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. at Hanshin.
The 1.25l victory under Yuga Kawada thrusts the Tomokazu Takano-trained colt into contention for the Champion Japanese 2-Year-Old title.
“I urged him to go a bit earlier than planned, as it didn’t seem like we were going to get a clear path,” said Kawada. “He has a good character and he’s a highly capable horse, so I think he will continue to grow and I look forward to his future races.”
Jantar Mantar is the second top-level winner for his sire, himself a dual Grade 1-scoring son of Curlin (USA).
The colt is from the six-time winner and Group 3 victress India Mantuana (USA) (Wilburn {USA}) and his second dam, Speed Wagon (USA) (Tomorrows Cat {USA}), won five races, including one in Listed grade.
Jantar Mantar is a homebred for Shadai Farm.
Deep Impact mare lands Nakayama Group 3
On Saturday, Christophe Lemaire partnered Fierce Pride (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a comfortable victory in the G3 Turquoise S. at Nakayama.
The 5-year-old, who is trained by Sakae Kunieda, prevailed by 1.25l.
It was the first black-type success for the mare, who is out of the winless Kingmambo (USA) mare Strawberry Fair (GB).
Fierce Pride is a half-brother to Midsummer Fair (Jpn) (Tanino Gimlet {Jpn}) - the winner of the 2012 G2 Tokyo Sankei Sports Sho Flora S., and is closely related to the multiple Group 1 hero Order Of St George (Ire).
Hong Kong
Thronum gelding too good in Sha Tin feature
Invincible Sage (Thronum) is headed for next month’s G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, after his stylish win - his third on the spin - in Sunday’s Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery H. at Sha Tin.
The David Hall-trained gelding raced in Australia as Thron Bone. Trained by Jerome Hunter, he won three races and was second in the Listed Brian Crowley S. in October 2022.
Bred by Sun Bloodstock, Invincible Sage is from the winning Hinchinbrook mare Thorsborne - a sister to the Group 2 victor Diamond Tathagata and a half-sister to the Listed winner Ancestry (The Brothers War {USA}).
Rich River Meat Exports paid $200,000 for the gelding at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where he was consigned by his breeder.
Another one for Deep Field
Mugen’s victory in the last race on Sunday’s Sha Tin card handed Deep Field his 17th win of the Hong Kong season. The star stallion sits atop the sires’ standings, with earnings of HK$30,175,650 (AU$5,764,600).
Deep Field | Image courtesy of Newgate Stud
Deep Field is five wins clear of Per Incanto (USA), his 12 individual winners see him five in front of Zoustar, and his progeny have amassed more than HK$6 million (AU1,146,000) more than second-placed Acclamation (GB).
