Fee Blanche from NAR set to represent Japan in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Del Mar
Friday, 10 October, 2025 14:28
It was revealed on October 9 that Fee Blanche, a 5-year-old mare from the NAR Oi Racecourse who captured her first JRA & NAR exchange graded stakes victory in July's Sparking Lady Cup at Kawasaki Racecourse before finishing fourth in the Ladies' Prelude, is set to compete in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (1,400m dirt) at Del Mar, USA. Her ownership syndicate, Carrot Club, made the announcement on its official website. Jockey Hiroto Yoshihara will once again take the reins.
The grey mare is by Real Steel out of Mighty Slew, a daughter of Kurofune. She began her career under the care of trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa at the Miho Training Center and broke her maiden in her second start. After winning three races under the JRA banner, she transferred last autumn to trainer Terunobu Fujita's stable in the NAR Oi district. In her debut for the new yard, she claimed victory in the Oi Cinderella Mile and later captured her first JRA & NAR exchange graded stakes title in the Sparking Lady Cup two starts back.
After her recent fourth-place finish in the Ladies' Prelude over 1,800 meters, her connections determined that the longer distance may have stretched her stamina limit. Instead of targeting the G1 JBC Ladies' Classic (1,800m, NAR Funabashi Racecourse, November 3), the team opted to focus on the 1,400-meter Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, a distance believed to best suit her natural speed and racing style. With travel subsidies from both the Breeders' Cup organisers and NAR, the trip is expected to take shape in a form close to an invitational participation.
Trainer Terunobu Fujita commented, "We had been in talks about this for some time, so we've been preparing to go whenever the opportunity came. She'll enter quarantine at the NAR Kobayashi Training Center in Inzai, Chiba, on October 15 and depart Japan on the 22nd. It's a big help that jockey Hiroto Yoshihara will stay with her and ride her in all her trackwork leading up to the race. This time, the 48-hour post-arrival quarantine will also take place in the same stall at Del Mar, and our groom will stay with her throughout the process, which is a great advantage. Having gained experience abroad twice before with Mandarin Hero, I know what challenges to expect in overseas racing. Our goal is simply to bring out the best in the horse. I truly believe Fee Blanche can compete on the world stage. We're not backing down. Please keep your support behind us."
The grey mare is by Real Steel out of Mighty Slew, a daughter of Kurofune. She began her career under the care of trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa at the Miho Training Center and broke her maiden in her second start. After winning three races under the JRA banner, she transferred last autumn to trainer Terunobu Fujita's stable in the NAR Oi district. In her debut for the new yard, she claimed victory in the Oi Cinderella Mile and later captured her first JRA & NAR exchange graded stakes title in the Sparking Lady Cup two starts back.
After her recent fourth-place finish in the Ladies' Prelude over 1,800 meters, her connections determined that the longer distance may have stretched her stamina limit. Instead of targeting the G1 JBC Ladies' Classic (1,800m, NAR Funabashi Racecourse, November 3), the team opted to focus on the 1,400-meter Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, a distance believed to best suit her natural speed and racing style. With travel subsidies from both the Breeders' Cup organisers and NAR, the trip is expected to take shape in a form close to an invitational participation.
Trainer Terunobu Fujita commented, "We had been in talks about this for some time, so we've been preparing to go whenever the opportunity came. She'll enter quarantine at the NAR Kobayashi Training Center in Inzai, Chiba, on October 15 and depart Japan on the 22nd. It's a big help that jockey Hiroto Yoshihara will stay with her and ride her in all her trackwork leading up to the race. This time, the 48-hour post-arrival quarantine will also take place in the same stall at Del Mar, and our groom will stay with her throughout the process, which is a great advantage. Having gained experience abroad twice before with Mandarin Hero, I know what challenges to expect in overseas racing. Our goal is simply to bring out the best in the horse. I truly believe Fee Blanche can compete on the world stage. We're not backing down. Please keep your support behind us."
Article Creds:Daily Sports