Japanese Group One Winner Adds Shine to Australian Pedigrees

Tara Madgwick - Saturday December 29
Undefeated Lord Kanaloa colt Saturnalia made it three wins in as many starts when taking out the Group I Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama in Japan on Friday, a result interesting for Australians as his grand-dam Kirov Premiere (Jpn) spent most of her stud career at Arrowfield Stud and has three daughters at stud all with yearlings headed for sales next year.

Saturnalia - HorseRacinginJapan TwitterTrained by Kazuya Nakatake, two year-old Saturnalia ran clear to win the 2000m contest by a length and a half becoming the second Group I winner for his sire Lord Kanaloa, whose star daughter Almond Eye won the Japan Cup this year.

"I feel great," said winning rider Mirco Demuro.

"I knew I was riding the strongest 2-year-old of the season, but it was his first time over 2,000 meters, so I was a little worried. He really showed his strength, though, squeezing his way through the narrow opening.

"I am really looking forward to his 3-year-old season,"

Saturnalia is a half-brother to Group I Japan Cup winner Epihaneia and Leontes, who also won the Hopeful Stakes and was the Champion 2YO Colt of Japan in 2015.

They are among seven winners from Group I winner Cesario, the best winner left by Kirov Premiere, who was sent to Australia the year after she was born.

Kirov Premiere died in 2014, but has three daughters at stud in Kirovskaya, Vishneva and Savannahs' Choice, who has already left an Australian stakes-winner in Overshare who has just finished his first season at Spendthrift Farm.

Arrowfield Stud will offer a Real Impact (Jpn) colt from Kirovskaya at the Magic Millions as Lot 1015 and he is pictured below.




They will also offer a Not a Single Doubt colt from Vishneva at Inglis Easter, while Torryburn Stud will offer the More Than Ready (USA) colt from Savannah's Choice at Inglis Easter.



Advertisment
More Reading...
$400,000 Invincible Filly a Grand Investment
A three-quarter sister-in-blood to dual Group I winning mare Charm Stone, stakes-placed I Am Invincible filly Naifah always looked well bought at the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $400,000.
Tarzino Stayer Wins G3 Geelong Cup
Trainer Paul Preusker will get another tilt at a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) after Torranzino ran out a strong winner of the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Thursday.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.
$140,000 NZB Ready to Run Graduate Books Ticket to G1 Victoria Derby
Bred for stamina being by Melbourne Cup winner Shoicking from a daughter of Tavistock, talented Kiwi bred three-year-old Azazel has booked his passage for the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday week after a tough victory in the Listed Roderick Insurance Brokers 3YO Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on Thursday.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
Bold Showing Tipped for Yes Yes Yes 2YO
Speed Demon will be given every opportunity to live up to his name when he makes his debut at Ellerslie.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 21
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.