Yoshito Yahagi is no stranger to success. The instantly recognisable Japanese trainer has shaped the career of many high-profile gallopers, not least Breeders’ Cup darling Loves Only You and Japanese Triple Crown hero Contrail. Yahagi’s name will resonate with most Australians as the man who delivered a first Japanese-trained winner in Australia’s premier weight-for-age Championship, the Cox Plate, with star filly Lys Gracieux taking out the 2019 edition in a canter. But it is another horse whose global accolades, as described by Yahagi, ranked highest in his training career to date.
Yoshito Yahagi (far right) leads in Panthalassa after his Gr.1 Saudi Cup win
A son of Japan’s leading stallion in high-class sprinter Lord Kanaloa, dual international Group 1 winner Panthalassa left the esteemed trainer entirely speechless following his triumph in the world’s richest horse race, the Group 1 Saudi Cup. Panthalassa’s bold front-running style had already garnered a fearsome reputation in his native Japan and it was this sustained effort that once again proved too much for the contingent of high-class international challengers left in his wake.
“It’s unbelievable, there are no words to describe it” said an emotional Yahagi minutes after the colt’s ground-breaking victory for Japan in the 1800m contest.
Panthalassa winning the Gr.1 Saudi Cup ahead of six international Gr.1 winners
Reminiscent of those scenes at Randwick this Autumn with Pride Of Jenni’s breathtaking win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Panthalassa’s own aggressive tactics have served him well across 5 racing seasons. A combination of tremendous speed and abundant stamina saw him not only out pace many of his opponents but attempt to break their hearts in the process.
The winners of 18 Group 1 contests spanning six different countries had their scalps claimed in his two top-level victories, not least dual Group 1 winner and Royal Ascot victrix Saffron Beach alongside three-time Grade 1-winning American raider Colonel Liam.
This ability to maintain such a high cruising speed over a sustained distance is what set Panthalassa apart.
Panthalassa demonstrating his trademark front-running style in the Gr.1 Tokyo Tenno Sho
Just four months earlier, Yahagi’s colt came close to breaking the heart of the World’s Best Racehorse in Tokyo, firmly laying down the gauntlet to Equinox in the G1 Tenno Sho, only denied victory in the dying strides.
“In human terms, he was a hard-working horse, and I want his children to beat Equinox’s children” said Yahagi upon Panthalassa’s retirement earlier this year.
“There were so many fans of his, I just wanted to create a unique horse for myself and the fans. However, I cannot take all the responsibility, it is not something I can breed even if I wanted to. I think that was his genius. He was a horse that will stay in your heart.”
Fans indeed, with the dual Group 1 winner bowing out during a twilight retirement ceremony in front of an adoring crowd prior to his arrival at stud.
Panthalassa taking the Gr.1 Dubai Turf
This spring, Panthalassa again bids to break new ground as the highest-earning stallion ever to stand in Australia, with the equivalent of a cool $21million. To put that into context, it places him by earnings firmly between Australia’s number one and two, namely Winx and Nature Strip, and nearly $10million ahead of the mighty Anamoe.
The saying rings true, money does talk.
Touching down in Australia for the first time, Panthalassa is due to arrive at Yulong this coming weekend, with the team confident the horse at the centre of Yoshito Yahagi’s heart will win plenty this breeding season.
