Cafe Pharoah returns to winning form and lands February Stakes at Tokyo
Coolmore shuttler American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) sired his third top-flight winner - first in Japan - on Sunday when his son Cafe Pharoah (3 c ex Mary's Follies by More Than Ready) landed the February Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) in Tokyo.
A winner of the Sirius Stakes (Gr 3, 1900m) last October, the colt was looking to get his career back on track having been beaten into sixth on his most recent start in the Champions Cup (Gr 1, 1800m).
Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, the colt was tucked in behind the leaders and when asked for his effort inside the final 200 metres, he glided to front and was able to stave off the late challenge of Air Spinel (King Kamehameha), eventually beating him by three-quarters of a length. Wonder Lider (Statue Of Liberty) was another length and three-quarters away in third.
“His condition was super, and I had confidence already at the paddock,” said Lemaire. “We decided to use cheek pieces hoping for a more aggressive performance.
“His start was good, we were positioned well and he responded beautifully. The colt has such high potential. I had no doubt that he could land a Grade 1 win if he gave his best. I’m happy that it all worked out today.”
Purchased by Narvick International for US$475,000 at the 2019 Ocala Select 2YO Sale, Cafe Pharoah is out of Grade 2-winning More Than Ready (Southern Halo) mare Mary’s Follies, who was purchased for $500,000 by BBA Ireland at this year’s Keeneland January Horses Of All Ages Sale.
Mary’s Follies is also the dam of Grade 2 scorer Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and Grade 3 winner Night Prowler (Giant’s Causeway).
American Pharoah has sired 14 stakes winners in total and Cafe Pharoah joins Van Gogh and Harvey’s Lil Goil as the stallions other top-flight winners.
The US Triple Crown winner has 25 lots catalogued at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, which gets underway on April 6.
The victory also provided former Vinery shuttler More Than Ready with his 11th Group / Grade 1 winner as a broodmare sire. His daughters have produced 107 stakes winners overall.
4c 3. CAFE PHARAOH (American Pharoah x Mary's Follies ((More Than Ready) won the G1 1600m February Stakes under superb Christophe Lemaire ride.
— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) February 21, 2021
Trained by Noriyuki Hori
1.34.4 for the Mile (1.34.0 RR)
First G1 for horse and sire in Japan!pic.twitter.com/vJxcetp9Zz
