Shock result as Choisir’s Japonisme wins G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes

The “sire-making” G1 Coolmore Stud S. was expected to be a formality for Godolphin’s dominant sophomore sprinter Exosphere (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}), but the gelded Japonisme proved once again that nothing in racing is a certainty when carrying the famous colors of the Ingham family–carried by Exosphere’s sire, Lonhro–to a sound score. Taking four tries to break his maiden earlier this year–which he accomplished July 8 at Canterbury–Japonisme then went four straight, including a score in the G3 San Domenico S. at Rosehill Aug. 15. He found Exosphere much too tough, however, in his next two outings, and was soundly beaten by that rival in both the G2 Run To The Rose (fourth) and G2 Roman Consul S. (third) Aug. 29 and Oct. 3. That form left no reason to expect a reversal, but again, it is horse racing. Settling third on the rail down the Flemington straight as Super One (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) rocketed from the gate to set the tempo, Japonisme appeared without a chance bottled up on the fence passing the 300 meter mark as Exosphere began to pick off rivals from the back of the pack down the middle of the track. The chestnut squeezed through an opening that materialized on the rail as Super One faded and hit the lead at the 100 meter mark, while Exosphere threw in the towel. It was the third straight Coolmore Stud S. win for trainer Chris Waller, who is enjoying a stellar spring after celebrating a G1 Cox Plate win just last weekend with Winx, who is partly owned by Donna Kepitis, a member of the Ingham family. “It was a great ride, a patient ride,” Waller told Breednet.com.au. “That was my first Group 1 winner for the Inghams, so it’s very special.”

Japonisme is the second foal out of Haiku, who was bought by the Inghams for A$850,000 as a yearling at Inglis Easter and ran once. Japonisme was sold for A$50,000 to James Harron at last year’s Inglis Broodmare Sale and was offered again at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, where she fetched A$27,500 from Heritage Bloodstock in foal to The Factor. Haiku also has a yearling full-sister to Japonisme.

Exosphere’s connections reported nothing appeared amiss with the colt immediately after the race.

Saturday, Flemington, Australia
COOLMORE STUD S.-G1, A$502,500, VRC, 10-31, 3yo, Open Set Weight, 1200mT, 1:09.50, Soft.
1–&JAPONISME, 56.5, g, 3, by Choisir
1st Dam: Haiku, by Encosta de Lago
2nd Dam: Emulate (NZ), by Sir Tristram (IRE)
3rd Dam: Concert Time (GB), by Artaius (USA)
O-Ingham Racing (Mgrs: Ms L J Ingham, J A Ingham, R C
Ingham, Mrs D N Kepitis); B-Ingham Racing NSW; T-C J Waller;
J-G Schofield; A$302,500. Lifetime Record: 10-5-1-2,
A$600,615. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Keen Array, 56.5, g, 3, Bel Esprit–Moorea, by Zabeel (NZ).
O-D A Hayes, Seymour Bloodstock Syndicate (Mgr: D Thomas),
M K Dawson, S Emery, C A Gordon, R L Gordon, Aust Retail
Projects Pty Ltd (Mgr: P Greelish), R S A Minney, M A Walkley,
R W; B-Mr O Wong NSW; T-David Hayes & Tom Dabernig;
J-Damian Lane; A$90,000.
3–Counterattack, 56.5, g, 3, Redoute’s Choice–Kisma, by
Snippets. O-G L Grimish & Mrs M Grimish; B-Mr G Grimish
NSW; T-C J Waller; J-B Shinn; A$45,000.
Margins: 1.5 len, 2.3 len, 4.3 len. Odds: 20.00, 12.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Exosphere, Mogador, Dal Cielo (NZ) , Ragazzo del Corsa, Hellbent, Ready for Victory, Sebring Sun, Super One, Black Vanquish.
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.