By Alan Carasso
Mrs Kazumi Yoshida's international champion and six-time Group 1 winner Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}–Mejiro Frances {Jpn}, by Carnegie {Ire}), will shuttle to John Messara's Arrowfield Stud for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season beginning in 2017, according to a release from the farm. He will command a fee of A$33,000 including GST.
Japan's horse of the year, champion sprinter and champion miler of 2015, Maurice was victorious in the nation's two premier events over the 1600 metres–the G1 Yasuda Kinen (video) and the G1 Mile Championship S. (video)–before defeating Hong Kong horse of the year Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (video), the first Japanese-based winner of that race in a decade. He further advertised his talent during a tremendous 5-year-old season in 2016, returning to Hong Kong to romp in the G1 Champions Mile (video) before adding the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (video) and G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (video), both over the metric 10 furlongs.
“He was just an outstanding-looking horse,” commented jockey Ryan Moore, who partnered Maurice to his two victories in the Hong Kong International Races and also in the Tenno Sho. “He has a fantastic mind, he always wanted to win. He put everything into his races. He was really powerful, travelled wherever you wanted him to and he had a fantastic turn of foot.”
Joao Moreira was in the saddle for his Champions Mile success and said: “He is a beautiful horse. He's got a great body, he has strength and he moves like a real champion horse. He is undoubtedly right up there with the best I have ridden.”
John Messara is clearly relishing the opportunity to add Maurice to the Arrowfield stallion roster.
“Nobody could fail to be impressed by Maurice's extraordinary performances at the highest level,” he remarked. “We are privileged to have the opportunity to stand the Yoshidas' charismatic superstar whose physique, 1600-metre dominance and Danehill-free status make him a wonderful addition to our roster.”
Maurice was also named the champion sprinter and champion miler of 2015 and will enter stud at Shadai Stallion Station this winter. Among the first mares he will serve is two-time horse of the year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). He is booked full for his first Northern Hemisphere season.
“She is the best mare I own, she will be covered by Maurice,” said the renowned owner/breeder Katsumi Yoshida.
Maurice was retired following his Hong Kong Cup success with a record of 18-11-2-1 for earnings in excess of A$12 million. At Arrowfield, he will stand alongside fellow Yasuda Kinen and G1 George Ryder S. winner Real Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a horse also bred by the Yoshida family.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
