A special look at some of the best-read stories from thoroughbred racing.com in 2020 Chrome just perfect for Japan A look back at one of the big bloodstock stories of the year Also inside: Prince Bandar exclusive on events at the Saudi Cup / The sad history of racism in US racing / The man who tore up the rule book to strike gold on the other side of the world / The farrier who can change a horseshoe in seconds / Almond Eye is 2020’s World No.1 Why California Chrome is so appealing to Japanese breeders Nancy Sexton | April 06, 2020 California Chrome: “Our company has been looking Much fanfare accompanied the retirement of for the new stallion, a ‘big name’ such as him,” says Keisuke Onishi, of the JS Company. Photo: Laura California Chrome to Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky Donnell/Taylor Made in 2017. His was a story that had resonated with the casual American racing audience; the inexpensively produced California-bred who had taken on the world with venerable trainer Art Sherman at his side. TRC Best-read 2020 / California Chrome / Prince Bandar / The sad history of racism in American racing / Striking gold on the other side of the world / 3D printed horseshoess / Almond Eye / P2 Best-read 2020 / California Chrome / Prince Bandar / The sad history of racism in American racing / Striking gold on the other side of the world / 3D printed horseshoess / Almond Eye / P3 In an era where a brief racing career right of refusal if California Chrome is ever in his first season at a fee of 4 million yen has come to be considered nothing sold, and upon retirement from breeding, ($37,000). out of the ordinary, California Chrome he can live out the remainder of his life at “Our company has been looking was almost a throwback to another Taylor Made). for the new stallion, a ‘big name’ such time, his 27 starts consisting of 16 wins, Look back to the Keeneland as him, and I noted a number of his including seven in G1 company. A $14.8 September Sale, however, and the yearlings were bought by Japanese million earner, the son of Lucky Pulpit foundations for such a move was in buyers at the Keeneland September came close to ending the Triple Crown place. California Chrome might be by Sale,” says Onishi. drought, with victories in the Kentucky far the richest-earning horse among “He will cover at least 150 mares. He Derby and Preakness Stakes preceding this group of freshman sires but, when it has been very popular with breeders. a fourth in the Belmont Stakes. There came to commercial appreciation, he fell They are impressed with him. We need was also that winning raid on the Dubai in the shadows of Frosted, Nyquist and good support from breeders to help him World Cup while a foray onto turf yielded Runhappy, to name but a few. succeed earlier on the track in Japan, a win in the G1 Hollywood Derby. As it was, he returned an average and therefore we need large numbers Horses like California Chrome, especially at Keeneland of $92,833 for 30 sold, a of mares to breed in the first three years ones so tough and versatile, don’t come figure that was fuelled by deep interest here.” along very often. Indeed, co-owner and from Japanese buyers. The list includes He adds, “I have seen lots of his breeder Perry Martin was quoted in late Shadai Farm (paid $180,000 for a filly out yearlings and weanlings at the sales in 2016 as boldly stating, “I hope and expect of the G1-placed Right There), Capital the U.S. I have an image that they could that he’s going to displace Tapit as the top System Co. ($200,000 for a filly out of be more successful in Japan than other United States sire.” stakes winner Somethinaboutbetty), countries. Most of their details were Martin had just dropped close Kanayama Holdings Co. ($260,000 for quite average - they are not so heavy to $3 million with Taylor Made on a filly out of G2 winner Warbling) and or light, not so strong or narrow. I think potential mates for California Chrome Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings ($235,000 for a this characteristic probably suits the at that year’s Keeneland November filly out of stakes winner Celtic Chant). Japanese racing style.” Sale. Meanwhile, outside the bubble In fact, Japanese buyers accounted The announcement of California of his own connections, interest was for four of the stallion’s top six yearlings Chrome’s purchase in November understandably running high, with at that sale. prompted such a volume of traffic to the a number of high-profile breeders JS Company website on the day that it seemingly happy enough to forgive his Important factor went down for several hours. modest background and support the California Chrome possesses many of Since then, the JS Company have horse at an opening fee of $40,000. the assets appealing within Japanese kept fans well informed of California Yet four seasons on and California racing, notably soundness, durability Chrome’s movements via social media, Chrome resides in Japan. What happened? and versatility to go with his immense including his arrival to Arrow Stud on Last November, The California Chrome talent. And, while some American January 29. Unfortunately, several Syndicate reached an agreement with investors may have eyed his pedigree weeks later the horse developed minor the Japanese agency JS Company Ltd - by Lucky Pulpit out of a Not For Love enteritis - an inflammation of the small to purchase California Chrome for stud mare - warily, his background is at intestine - but recovered quickly. duty at Arrow Stud on the island of least free of Sunday Silence and Halo, California Chrome joins a wide- Hokkaido. Although no official price has an increasingly important factor to a ranging roster at Arrow Stud that ever been disclosed, it was evidently an Japanese industry that is saturated with includes Japanese Classic winners and offer too good to refuse, and so it was such blood. some familiar American names. that California Chrome was on his way to For those reasons, California Arrow already boasts one Japanese Japan before he had even had a runner Chrome’s sale to Japan could work Derby hero in the 2014 winner One And and much to the disgruntlement of his out well for all involved. In addition, Only and last year added another Derby fan base. (As part of the agreement, the as Keisuke Onishi, of the JS Company, string to its bow in Roger Barows. The California Chrome Syndicate has the first outlines, he is set to gain strong support son of Deep Impact won last year’s “I hope and expect that he’s going to displace Tapit as the top United States sire” TRC Best-read 2020 / California Chrome / Prince Bandar / The sad history of racism in American racing / Striking gold on the other side of the world / 3D printed horseshoess / Almond Eye / P3 iconic event in a fast time and was on The latter was purchased by the JS California Chrome and Victor Espinoza winning the 2016 Dubai World Cup at Meydan. Photo: Michele course for a crack at the Arc when injury Company from Coolmore for the 2019 MacDonald curtailed his career. season and was warmly received at a “He is very popular because he is by fee of 2 million yen ($18,500). Deep Impact and has a good female “One of the stud directors is very pedigree - he is closely related to Horse interested in the Harlan’s Holiday line,” of the Year Gentildonna,” says Onishi of says Onishi. “So I was looking for the the horse, whose fee has been set at 1.2 chance to buy a good horse from his Unexpected, a half-brother to last million yen ($13,000). “The breeders are line, for example Majesticperfection, season’s G1-winning 2yo Bast who also remembering how Roger Barows Goldencents and Shanghai Bobby cost $325,000 last September. Several won the Derby - in an incredible race - especially Shanghai Bobby as he have also made their way to Europe, record, a faster time than Duramente.” was champion 2yo, which was very notably a half-sister to G3 Acomb Stakes attractive for us. winner Valdermoro and a colt out of Another level “Also his U.S.-breds have been Summertime Friend; both were bought European breeding is represented by running well in Japan [where he is at Keeneland as breeze-up prospects Neoattraction, a winning son of Montjeu the sire of seven winners from eight by Tom Whitehead of the Irish-based bred by Floors Stud out of their brilliant runners], which helped. So he was very Powerstown Stud, also the pinhooker of miler Attraction, while a collection popular last year, breeding over 100 this year’s G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes of names familiar to an American mares.” winner Ete Indien. audience includes Sinister Minister, In California Chrome, however, And, of course, there are those the 12¾-length winner of the 2006 G1 Arrow Stud have taken it to another currently preparing to race in Japan. Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, Lani, level. Their movements will be keenly the 2016 Belmont Stakes third whose As you would expect, the majority watched across that jurisdiction and American campaign took in each of the of his 105-strong first crop are based with any luck, they will go on to justify Triple Crown legs, and champion 2yo in the U.S. and include several the faith shown in California Chrome by Shanghai Bobby.