Japan kicks off his 2021 season with victory in the Gr.3 Ormonde Stakes

06/05/2021

Japan got his 2021 season off to a cracking start with victory in the Gr.3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester today for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners M Matsushima, D Smith, Mrs Magnier and M Tabor.

It was a fine performance from this dual Gr.1 winner bred by Newsells Park Stud, and he looks to have an exciting season ahead.

Jockey Ryan Moore said: “Japan is a beautiful horse we’ve always held in high regard – 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 and hopefully that’s a good omen and go on from here. I’d say the Coronation Cup is a possible – 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.”

Bred and raised by Newsells Park Stud, Japan is by Galileo out of the Stakes winning mare 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.