Celebrating 70 Years of the JBBA’s ‘Front-Running Example’ in Thoroughbred Management

[Wandering Eyes]

Since 1955, Japanese breeders have received unwavering support from the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA). To outside eyes, the evolution of Japanese racing as a global force tends to go hand-in-hand with the Yoshida family's cultivation of Sunday Silence and latterly his son Deep Impact under their Shadai umbrella. Yet that would be doing a disservice to the number of other operations who have put in the effort and investment over the decades to improve the breed.

Chief among them is the JBBA, whose primary stallion base is situated in the heart of the Shizunai breeding region in Hokkaido. From its head office in Tokyo, it operates three stallion farms and makes a point of regularly importing high-profile international horses to add to its roster. Arc winner Sottsass was this year's new recruit, swapping Coolmore in Ireland for Hokkaido in a significant deal that placed him on the Shizunai line-up alongside other familiar names such as Caravaggio, Makfi, Declaration Of War and Noble Mission. Versatility is key, however, and purchases before that included the top American runners Mischevious Alex and Sharp Azteca, both Grade I winners on dirt.

Interestingly, only one of the 13-strong roster descends in sire-line from Sunday Silence (the G2-winning Deep Impact horse Red Bel Jour, who is based at Kyushu), instead offering routes into the likes of Dubawi, Galileo, Into Mischief, Scat Daddy and Blushing Groom.

The Shizunai property also hosts a veterinary hospital, which caters for the local breeding community, while it plays a crucial role in the training of stud and racing staff as the host of a year-long student programme. The JBBA also supplies the online racing and breeding database Japan Bloodstock Information System (JBIS). Started in 1987, JBIS is the go-to resource for anyone searching for information on Japanese racehorses, stallions, mares, progeny records, sales records and the like.

“We provide support to Japanese breeders and farms to promote the stable growth of the racehorse breeding industry in Japan,” says Dr Shigeki Yusa, general manager of the JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station. “The JBBA has imported numerous high-calibre stallions from around the world with the aim of raising the standard of Japanese breeding and also to try and prevent the over-concentration of certain bloodlines by contributing to the variety of sire-lines available in Japan. We're supporting breeders directly by providing reasonable access to quality stallions.

“JBIS is another way in which the JBBA contributes to the racing industry, in this case by providing a wide range of useful and up-to-date information.”

For breeders, there is also the availability of subsidies for those looking for assistance with the purchase of broodmares or investment in farm facilities.

The flagship of the operation, however, is the stallion division. It is no secret how middle-distance horses are embraced by the Japanese market and to that end, the JBBA has hosted numerous top-notch European runners of yesteryear.

Visitors to the Shizunai stud office are greeted by the mounted skeleton of Grundy, the 1975 Derby and King George winner. Grundy spent the latter part of his stud career at the JBBA, switching from the National Stud in Newmarket following his purchase for a reported £1,600,000 in late 1983.

 

Didn't expect to see a Derby & King George winner on arrival at the JBBA – Grundy taking pride of place in the stud office pic.twitter.com/7yXnznrau9

— Nancy Sexton (@nancygsexton) July 16, 2025

 

A decade later, the JBBA had pulled off the coup of securing Dancing Brave, whose wins in the 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse, King George and Arc had lit up the 1986 season. The Lyphard horse was sold following several seasons at Dalham Hall Stud – no sooner had he settled into his new home, then the Classic winners Commander In Chief, Wemyss Bight and White Muzzle emerged to make him one of Europe's leading sires of 1993.

Opera House, another middle-distance high-flyer of 1993, in his case for Sheikh Mohammed, also fared well under JBBA management, notably as the sire of 2000 Japan Cup winner T M Opera O, whose total career earnings of ¥1.8 billion set a then-record. That son of Sadler's Wells joined a year after the 1992 2,000 Guineas winner Rodrigo De Triano, who left behind a Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner in Erimo Excel.

Warning, sold by Juddmonte in 1996, also stood with success. More recently, the Niarchos family's 2004 Arc hero Bago has more than held his own as a Grade 1 sire.

Going back to the 1952 Derby runner-up Gay Time and 1957 Kentucky Derby winner Iron Liege, the list of past residents is notable; others include Tap On Wood, Rousillon, Forty Niner, Charismatic, Empire Maker, Stravinsky and Eskendereya.

“Given the genetic differences that exist between various regions in Europe and North America, the international exchange of stallions and broodmares plays a vital role in the global thoroughbred industry,” says Yusa. “The JBBA's ongoing efforts to introduce high-quality stallions from overseas contribute significantly to the diversification of the genetic pool. This not only supports the future of thoroughbred breeding in Japan but also plays an important role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Japanese racing as a whole.

“However, no matter how diverse a bloodline may be, if it is not of high quality, it will not take root in Japan. For this reason, the JBBA remains committed to introducing stallions that combine genetic excellence with the diversity needed to enhance and sustain the competitiveness of Japanese racing.”

Yusa has a particular fondness for Dancing Brave.

“Dancing Brave stands out for both his presence and achievements,” he says. “He was one of Europe's all-time greats, earning a then-historic Timeform rating of 141. When he retired in 1987, he entered stud in the UK with sky-high expectations – syndicated for £14 million and standing for a fee of £120,000 – reflecting his immense appeal as a stallion prospect.

“However, his first two crops failed to meet expectations, and after he was diagnosed with osteochondrosis (commonly known as 'Marie's Disease'), he was sold to Japan in 1991. Even within the JRA, there was a debate over the idea of acquiring a horse with a known health issue. But shortly after, his third crop produced Commander in Chief, winner of the Epsom and Irish Derby, Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bight and White Muzzle, who won the Italian Derby and ran second in the Arc, demonstrating the risk of judging a stallion's success too early.”

Acquiring Dancing Brave was a bold call. Such was his condition that his books had to be restricted amid intensive treatment. He spent eight seasons at the JBBA, succumbing to a heart attack at the age of 16 in 1999. By that stage, he had been joined in Japan by Commander In Chief and White Muzzle, both successful stallions in their own right for the Yushun Stallion Station and Shadai.

Despite covering limited numbers, Dancing Brave did plenty to enhance the Japanese breed, leaving behind Grade 1 winners such as T.M. Ocean, winner of the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas), Erimo Chic, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, and King Halo, winner of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. The latter has since assumed further prominence as the damsire of Equinox.

“King Halo became a successful sire, producing Group 1 winners like Laurel Guerreiro and dual Classic winner Kawakami Princess,” says Yusa. “He is now an influential broodmare sire, with elite performers like Equinox, Pixie Knight and Deep Bond carrying his blood.

“Another of Dancing Brave's daughters, Kyoei March – another Oka Sho winner – became the second dam of Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Lorraine and the third dam of Mile Championship winner Namur, further extending his legacy.”

He adds, “Through these achievements and the enduring influence of his bloodline, Dancing Brave proved himself far more than just a high-profile import. He remains a symbolic figure in the history of JBBA's stallion programme, and his genetic legacy continues to shape the landscape of Japanese racing to this day.”

Over 25 years on and hopes are high that another Arc winner, Sottsass, can prove a valuable addition. Even though he arrived in Japan after the start of the covering season, the son of Siyouni was popular at a fee of ¥2.5 million (£12,500), his profile likely aided by the fact he is a brother to the high-class Japanese globe-trotter Shin Emperor.

“Due to quarantine procedures, Sottsass's season began in mid-March,” says Yusa. “But he was still able to cover over 100 mares. Expectations from owners and breeders are high and we are very much looking forward to seeing what kind of foals will be born in Japan.”

 

New to the JBBA is Sottsass, who received over 100 mares & stands alongside familiar European names Caravaggio, Noble Mission and Makfi.
JBBA is relatively rare in that the stallions are ridden regularly. Also has a major educational facility – over 500 students have graduated pic.twitter.com/aM8dRntihJ

— Nancy Sexton (@nancygsexton) July 16, 2025

 

Caravaggio, winner of the Phoenix Stakes and Commonwealth Cup for Aidan O'Brien, joined in 2023 following stints for Coolmore in Ireland and Kentucky. The JBBA enjoyed considerable success with his grandsire Johannesburg, making Caravaggio an understandable fit, and indeed his arrival was followed by the emergence of his daughter Porta Fortuna as a champion in Europe. He stands for ¥3 million (£15,000) while Declaration Of War, another former Ballydoyle Group 1 winner, is priced at ¥2.3 million (£11,500).

The 2,000 Guineas winner Makfi and Frankel's Group 1-winning brother Noble Mission, between them proven Group 1 sires in Europe, Australasia and the US, both command ¥1 million (£5,000).

“Progeny of Caravaggio have been successful all over the world and in Japan, there have already been JRA Graded stakes winners,” says Yusa. “The first crop of foals in Japan are yearlings this year and were sold for ¥23 million (£115,000) at the recent JRHA Select Sale.

“Declaration Of War's progeny have shown strong performance from the very first crop. This year, Shirankedo and Sekitoba East have both won Graded stakes. His offspring are notable for performing well as two-year-olds, on both turf and dirt, and showing versatility across a wide range of distances.

“Makfi is now 18 years old but his progeny continue to perform well. This year, Sirius Colt and Immigrant Song have both won JRA stakes. Additionally, last year, Parallel Vision – by Kizuna and out of a Makfi mare – won the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy, drawing attention to Makfi's growing influence as a broodmare sire.

“Noble Mission's progeny in Japan have turned three this year. While none have made a major impact yet, we remain hopeful for their future success, especially considering that Noble Mission himself reached his peak performance as an older horse.”

There is also pride in the addition of Stella Veloce to the roster for 2025 in his place as one of the best sired by long-time resident Bago. A typically tough Japanese product, the Grade 2 winner resides in the same barn as his sire – flanked in his case by good luck charms from a legion of well wishers.

The active Shizunai-based roster lives alongside an esteemed collection of retirees led by 27-year-old Johannesburg and Bago, who looks a horse half his 24 years. Alamshar, David Junior, Aldebaran, Squirtle Squirt and Sunningdale, one of the best sired by Warning during his time at the JBBA, are other Group 1-winning names currently living in retirement. Each are in their 20s, yet still have a long way to go to match Forty Niner, who was 35 when he died at the JBBA in May 2020.

 

Johannesburg – brilliant 2yo now making a lasting contribution via Scat Daddy – living in retirement at the JBBA Stallion Station. Now 26, he looks to be in great form pic.twitter.com/vV526xABHZ

— Nancy Sexton (@nancygsexton) July 16, 2025

 

Meanwhile, the operation's Shichinohe base is home to Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom while its base in Kyushu stands Aidan O'Brien's 2010 Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner Cape Blanco.

The JBBA is relatively rare in that the stallions are regularly ridden for exercise. The staff are also complemented during certain weeks of the year by students taking part in the training programme – for which the retirees are particularly useful.

Staged over 12 months from April to March, the course hosts a maximum of 20 students, many of them from non-equine backgrounds, and makes use of the 28 retired racehorses in residence to cover all aspects of horsemanship. It follows similar lines to the English and Irish National Stud courses in that practical elements of the course, some of which are overseen by a teacher from the JRA, are complemented by a lecture programme.

“It was originally a six-month course but now covers a year,” says the JBBA's Kazuma Masui. “Over 500 students have graduated since its inception, some of them who now own their own farms.”

A cursory glance at the Shizunai property and its facilities, where everything is carried out with great pride to the highest standard, is enough to understand how the JBBA continues to set a front-running example when it comes to management of the Japanese thoroughbred. And anyone wishing to following the day-to-day running of the stallion barn will enjoy Dr Yusa's 'X' account (@yusas).

“The JBBA aims to support racing through its multifaceted activities,” he concludes. “It will continue in its endeavours to promote the growth of racing and ensure that Japanese horses offer racing at the highest level.”

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