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Japanese Breeding

Thoroughbred Pedigrees in Japan

We are proud of the Thoroughbred pedigrees available in Japan for several reasons.

Firstly, the high quality of bloodlines in Japan definitely deserves your attention. Japanese breeders have continuously been importing bloodstock of the highest caliber from around the world to upgrade the pedigree of Japanese Thoroughbreds. Each year, classic winners from the USA and Europe as well as winners of other top international races from the most sought-after sirelines are imported into Japan as stallions. Plenty of blue-blooded broodmares are also imported into Japan, which has added to the vitality of Japanese bloodlines and helped to keep the pedigrees in Japan world-class.

Secondly, diversity is also a factor that makes Japanese pedigrees attractive. Japanese racing is conducted on both turf and dirt and at various distances, from sprinting to staying races, and this is reflected in the wide variety of bloodlines available here in Japan. This means buyers are likely to be able to find the type of horse they need for racing in any country, be it a sprinter, miler or stayer.

Notable Stallions Imported into Japan in Recent Years

  • Sunday Silence (USA)
  • Dancing Brave (USA)
  • Forty Niner (USA)
  • Empire Maker (USA)
  • Bago (FR)
  • Animal Kingdom (USA)
  • Declaration of War (USA)
  • Makfi (GB)
  • Noble Mission (GB)
  • Mischevious Alex (USA)
  • Harbinger (GB)
  • Henny Hughes (USA)
  • California Chrome (USA)
  • New Year's Day (USA)
  • Bricks and Mortar (USA)
  • Novellist (IRE)

Japanese-breds in International Races

Japanese-bred horses have enjoyed significant success in top international races in recent years. They have won key G1 races in the USA, England, France, UAE (Dubai), Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and it is particularly noteworthy that they have earned wins in the most coveted races in these countries/regions such as the Dubai World Cup G1 (UAE), Hong Kong Cup (Hong Kong) and Melbourne Cup G1, Cox Plate G1, Caulfield Cup G1 (Australia). Japanese-breds have been successful overseas mainly at distances between 1,200m and 2,000m, and since 2001, they have won at least 55 major international G1 races.

Major International Races Won by Japanese-breds

USA

  • Breeders' Cup Filliy & Mare Turf G1:2021
  • Breeders' Cup Distaff G1:2021

England

  • 2,000 Guineas G1:2018

UAE (Dubai)

  • Dubai World Cup G1:2011, 2023
  • Dubai Turf G1:2016, 2017, 2019, 2022
  • Dubai Sheema Classic G1:2006, 2014, 2022, 2023
  • Dubai Duty Free G1:2007, 2014

Australia

  • Melbourne Cup G1:2006
  • Cox Plate G1:2019
  • Caulfield Cup G1:2014, 2019

Hong Kong

  • Hong Kong Cup G1:2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Hong Kong Mile G1:2005, 2015, 2019
  • Queen Elizabeth II Cup G1:2012, 2017, 2019, 2021
  • Hong Kong Vase G1:2001, 2016, 2019, 2021
  • Hong Kong Sprint G1:2012, 2013, 2020
  • The Champions Mile G1:2016

Singapore

  • Singapore Airlines International Cup G1:2006, 2007
  • Singapore Gold Cup:2008, 2009, 2011
  • Singapore Derby:2009

Saudi Arabia

  • Saudi Cup G1:2023
    As of March 2023