Coolmore will have horses trained in Japan for the first time after Sue Magnier JRA owner’s license was secured.
Chesapeake Bay will form part of the first intake, an unraced three-year-old Frankel colt out of Marsha, and Snowscape, a Frankel filly out of Shadow Hunter. Japanese outlet Nikkan Sport reported Chesapeake Bay arrived last Saturday at Mitsumasa Nakauchida’s stable at the Ritto training centre near Kyoto, where the colt has begun the process of acclimatisation.
Nakauchida did not dress the move up as a finished article. He framed it as a patient build with a horse still furnishing, a crucial detail in a system that rewards robustness and repeatability. “They asked us to train him,” he said. “The horse only arrived last week, so we’ll have to see how he does from now on. His body is still waiting to grow, so we’ll see what happens.”
That Coolmore have chosen Nakauchida speaks to intent rather than novelty. He sits at the sharp end of Japan’s training ranks and has already handled European scrutiny through Grenadier Guards, who shipped to Royal Ascot for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Stakes. More importantly, he trained Liberty Island, a filly who took the Japanese Triple Tiara in 2023 by executing three different tests—Oka Sho, Yushun Himba and Shuka Sho—with the same ruthless efficiency.
The licence itself matters because the Japan Racing Association does not hand them out on reputation. The ownership qualification process runs tight. Typically, is starts five to six months out, with review boards convening in April, July and November. With Magnier now approved, Coolmore can operate in Japan with the same directness it already applies through Ballydoyle and its training relationships in Britain, France, Australia and the United States.
Flanagan hails ticket to Japan
Mick Flanagan, speaking for Coolmore, said: “Japan is one of the greatest racing and breeding nations on the planet. We have always enjoyed doing business in Japan and we are very appreciative of the JRA and everyone in Japan for accommodating us.”