The Beast From The East V The Best From The West

Racehorses of the highest calibre, charismatic champions American Pharoah (USA) and Maurice (JPN) brought a multitude of new fans to the sport. They were the centre of attention once again when making their first appearances before an adoring public at the Hunter Valley stallion parades.

Honoured as Horse Of The Year in their respective countries, American Pharoah (USA) and Maurice (JPN) share similar profiles.

While no one doubts their greatness on the racetrack, both sport pedigrees not overly familiar in Australia.

American Pharoah (Pioneer Of The Nile x Littleprincessemma by Yankee Gentleman).




Twelve months after a dejected Steve Coburn, part-owner of California Chrome, rued that he will never see another Triple Crown winner in his lifetime when 'Chrome', like many before him, fell at the final hurdle in the Belmont Stakes, race caller Larry Collmus joyfully belted out "the 37-year wait is over - American Pharoah is finally the one - American Pharoah has won the Triple Crown."

It was a fitting reward for trainer Bob Baffert who had been there before with Silver Charm, War Emblem and Real Quiet only to leave the track emotionally drained.

And what a triumph for owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat who raced American Pharoah's sire Pioneer Of The Nile who finished second to 50/1 outsider Mine That Bird in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

A dual Grade I winner at two including a four and three-quarter lengths score in the Del Mar Futurity, American Pharoah added another six wins at the highest level at three culminating in a six and a half-length rout in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

A full brother to Grade I Del Mar Debutante Stakes runner-up American Cleopatra, American Pharoah's dam Littleprincessemma is a half-sister to Grade II winner Storm Wolf and Grade III winner and Grade I placed Misty Rosette.

His sire Pioneer Of The Nile is the top-earnings son of Empire Maker and was equally effective on both turf and dirt. He won four consecutive Graded stakes, including the (GI) Futurity [G1] and (GI) Santa Anita Derby in addition to being runner-up in the Kentucky Derby.

Pioneer Of The Nile has made a brilliant start to his stud career with Midnight Storm and Classic Empire also winners at the elite level.

American Pharoah stands his first season at Coolmore Stud at a fee of $66,000.

Maurice (JPN) (Screen Hero x Mejiro Frances by Carnegie)




Six-time Group 1 winner Maurice had as many fans in Hong Kong as he did in his native Japan.

The son of Japan Cup winner Screen Hero was named Japan's 2015 Horse of the Year, Champion Sprinter and Champion Miler.

Winner of 11 of his 18 starts, Maurice won the Group I Kyoto Mile Championship and Group I Tokyo Yasuda Kinen at four and ventured to Hong Kong for the first time where he added the Group I Hong Kong Mile.

He returned home at five to add the Group I Tokyo Tenno Sho then back to Hong Kong for a couple more trophies, the Champions Mile and Hong Kong Cup.

The striking Maurice is one of six winners out of the Carnegie mare Mejiro Frances whose dam Mejiro Monterey (Mogami) was a 4-time stakes winner in Japan.

The sire of Maurice, Screen Hero was honoured as the Champion Older Male In Japan in 2008 and hails from the successful Roberto sireline.

Maurice stands his first season at Arrowfield Stud at a fee of $33,000.