Empire Maker to Japan

[LB]

I truly did not see that one coming. What a shame for American breeders.

[Sysonby]

I know that Darley has Japanese interests which is why Pyro is there but does Juddmonte?

[Lucy]

I do not think they do. He has been sold to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association, in any case.

[Firebrand]

I am very curious about the rational behind the decision to sell him to Japan, but it may just be a case of "too good of an offer to refuse" for Juddmonte.

[horse]

Could it be, that because of their less than expected performance in the BC Classic with Espoir City, the Nippon Breeders' Assn. decided to spend some real money and obtain "a elite American stallion" in order to be more competitive? Not since Sunday Silence has Japan bought from American soil "much" to improve their domestic TB production.

How much will benefit Kentucky now that Empire Maker has been moved overseas? Perhaps the Japanese just like the name "Empire". In the land of the rising sun it's a beautiful fit.

Perhaps the writers of American breeding history will view the sale as a tragic loss; perhaps not, as most domestic managements continue to find "greener pastures" in foreign markets now willing and able to purchase our most valuable assets because of the eroding dollar.

[xfactor fan]

They might need an outcross stallion. There is a huge amount of Sunday Silence blood in Japan. Empire Maker doesn't have much Northern Dancer, no Halo, has a couple of crosses to In Reality.

[xfactor fan]

Also the Japanese may have decided to buy a outcross stallion that likes the ladies. Makes sense after their experience with War Emblem.

[Lucy]

I am very curious about the rational behind the decision to sell him to Japan, but it may just be a case of "too good a deal to pass up" for Juddmonte.

That would be my guess. Juddmonte has been sending him their best mares since he went to stud, they may feel they have enough of his blood in their breeding program to justify letting him go.

[tbrace]

Whenever there is a sale of a major stallion - just follow the money.

[madelyn]

Wow. Double wow. I guess they really needed the money. So the last stallion standing in the US out of Toussaud is Civilisation? In West Virginia?

[Sysonby]

Wow. Double wow. I guess they really needed the money. So the last stallion standing in the US out of Toussaud is Civilisation? In West Virginia?

Decarchy in California as well

[madelyn]

Aah - I should have said eastern/central US - thanks Sysonby. I doubt I will ever be in a position to ship a mare to CA to be bred so I don't often look there. And he is not in the stallion register...

[tinners way]

Don't forget the close lineage of First Defence. Must have been a huge offer.

[JCBloodstock]

Actually since Sunday Silence there was one that didn't go. Saint Ballado had a bigger offer from Japanese Interests when he was at Ocala Stud but he didn't pass their vet check so he moved to Kentucky. I think a bigger loss to Japan tho' was Forty Niner.

[Jorge]

I have a question related to this topic. What about the circumstances that moved Japanese interests to acquire Kauai King (1963) and later Dancer's Image (1965), which ended in sort of modest results? What about the offers made to acquire both stallions. Was their acquisition the result of steep offers like that of Sunday Silence and now Empire Maker or bargain prices? Thanks.