Champion Sire King Kamehameha Dead at 18

Mark Smith - Sunday August 11

Less than two weeks after the loss of Deep Impact, Shadai Stallion Station suffered another blow with the death on Saturday of King Kamehameha (Kingmambo), the twice leading sire in Japan in 2010 and 2011.

Purchased as a foal for 78 million yen by Makoto Kaneko, King Kamehameha was crowned Japanese champion 3-year-old in 2004, highlighted by his win the Japanese Derby.

Recently pensioned, King Kamehameha had been on restricted duties since 2016.

He is the sire of Japanese champions Leontes, Duramente, Rey De Oro, Lovely Day, the fillies' Triple Crown winner Apapane, Hong Kong Group 1 victor Rulership and the champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa who has made an exceptional start to his stud career as the sire of the champion Almond Eye.

King Kamehameha's breeder Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm told the Racing Post: "I heard he passed at 5am. In the past five years his condition had improved and then got worse again. His sight was poor because of a cataract.

Advertisement

"Although two huge stars have gone, they have left successors for the next generation. King Kamehameha made a tremendous contribution not only to this farm but also to the Japanese racing scene. I would like to say thank you very much to him."

Following his two sire championships, King Kamehameha was a perennial runner-up to Deep Impact but he was also the Japanese Champion Two-Year-Old Sire in 2008 and 2009.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.