Group 1 Triumph for Maurice

Mark Smith - Sunday April 2

Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (JPN)  had to settle for placings at Randwick on Saturday with Mazu in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and Matcha Latte in the Group III Carbine Club Stakes, but the Japanese Horse Of The Year had a stellar weekend in his homeland.

Maurice (image Mark Smith)

At Nakayama on Saturday, the 3yo Maurice (JPN) colt Flavored looked like a future stakes-winner with a miraculous win over 2000m.  

The Masahiro Otake-trained colt sprouted wins over the final 1000m under Christophe Lemaire for a most unlikely victory.

Advertisement

It was just the second start for Flavored, who went off a short-priced favourite after debuting with a second in an 1800m Newcomers race at Tokyo on February 4.

It proved the perfect entree for Maurice's 5yo son Jack d'Or (JPN) to open his Group 1 account in Sunday's The Osaka Hai (2000m) at Hanshin.

Ridden by the ageless champion Yutaka Take for Kenichi Fujioka, Jack d'Or (JPN) defied the fast-finishing Duramente colt Stars on Earth (JPN) by a nose, with the 5yo Just A Way entire Danon the Kid (JPN) a neck back in third.

Jack d'Or (JPN) was making his first start of the year after closing last season with a disappointing seventh behind Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.

At his previous start, the son of Maurice (JPN) had finished fourth behind Horse Of The Year and freshly crowned Dubai Sheema classic winner Equinox(JPN)in the Group 1 Arima Kinen.

Jack d'Or (JPN) has eight wins and two seconds from 14 starts.

He is the best of seven winners from nine to race from the Unbridled's Song mare Ravarino, a half-sister to stakes-winners Porte Bonheur, Slipstream, and Banafsajee, and the Rahy mare Grilse (USA).

Grilse (USA) is the dam of Alverta, who carried Arrowfield Stud's black and yellow diamonds and yellow cap to victory in the 2010 Group 1 Coolmore Classic.

Jack d'Or (JPN) is the fifth Group 1 winner for Maurice (JPN) after Hitotsu, Mazu, Pixie Knight (JPN) and Geraldina (JPN), who was a close up sixth behind Jack d’Or on Sunday.

Lot 268, click to see his page.

Maurice did not shuttle to Arrrowfield in 2020 due to Covid, so has only one yearling in Inglis Easter and it's Lot 268 from Arrowfield Stud, a colt from Niello (Jpn), a half-sister to Champion Japanese 2YO Filly Robe Tissage. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
Maurice Colt Jack dOr Bounces Back in Sapporo Kinnen
After having his run of five consecutive wins snapped when fifth behind Potager (Deep Impact) in the Group 1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin on April 3, the 4yo Maurice (JPN) colt Jack d'Or returned to winning ways in Sunday's Group II Sapporo Kinnen (2000m) at Sapporo Racecourse on Sunday.
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Too Darn Hot Mare Claims Third G1
Too Darn Hot (GB) will be a returning superstar to Darley NSW this spring and there is no doubt he can get an exceptional horse with Fallen Angel capturing her third Group I in France on Sunday when taking out the G1 Prix Rothschild (1m) at Deauville.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Nominees Announced for Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards
The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.