Vinery champion Congrats (USA) has continued his sensational winning run with two year-olds in Japan.
His Kentucky bred colt Gerbe d’Or stalked the pace in a 2YO Turf Newcomer (1400m) at Chukyo on Sunday before stretching out to score by three-quarters of a length on debut. He was piloted by champion jockey Ryan Moore to collect the winner’s percentage of the race worth AUD 132,370.
All-conquering Shadai Stud stallion Deep Impact sired the second, third and fourth placegetters.
Gerbe d’Or (2c Congrats – G City Gal by Elusive Quality) is prepared by Katsuhiko Sumii who is best known down here as the trainer of 2006 Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues. He also won the 2011 Dubai World Cup with Victoire Pisa.
The winner was bred by Woodford Thoroughbreds and was a $220,000 buy for Shadai Stud’s Katsumi Yoshida at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale. He’s the second winner from two to race for G City Gal, a three-time winner who was also Group 1 placed in the Princess Rooney Hcp at Calder.
Gerbe d’Or is the second Congrats two year-old to race in Japan this year. His other colt Deburin was runner-up to Rhein Ruf (French Deputy) over 1800m at Hanshin also on Sunday. Whereas Gerbe D’or was on debut, it was the 5th placing for Deburin from 6 starts.
Congrats has sired 16 individual juvenile winners from his first Kentucky crop in North America alone this year. With earnings of $1.69 million, he’s engaged in a close battle with Tiz Wonderful and Afleet Alex for second spot on the table behind champion-elect Giant’s Causeway.
The Vinery shuttler is the No.1 2YO stallion from the A P Indy sireline ahead of Sky Mesa, Tapit, Malibu Moon, Flatter and Bernardini.
