Great to see dual Gr.1 winner Japan back in the winner’s enclosure landing the Gr.3 Meld Stakes over 1m1f at Leopardstown tonight for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners M Matsushima, D Smith, Mrs Magnier and M Tabor.

Despite a drop back in trip he led inside the final furlong and kept on strongly to repel the challenge from Maker of Kings.

Jockey Ryan Moore said: “That was a nice performance from Japan. I got to the front a little sooner than ideal and he was waiting a little bit when he got there. But when the other horses got to him he found plenty. He showed plenty of speed the whole way round and did it well in the end.”

Bred and raised by Newsells Park Stud, Japan is by the late, great Galileo out of the Stakes winning and magnificent broodmare Shastye (Danehill) from the family of Sagamix and Sagacity.  He was sold by the stud at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale for 1,300,000gns to MV Magnier. 

Japan is a full-brother to dual Gr.1 winner Mogul, as well as multiple Group winner and performer Secret Gesture and Group winner Sir Isaac Newton. Another full-sister was offered in the 2020 Newsells Park Stud yearling consignment at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 and sold to MV Magnier for 3,400,000gns.