Japan's Soul Stirring could be set for Royal Ascot showdown this summer

newsonjapan.com -- Feb 16

Having been sired by the wonder-horse Frankel, Soul Stirring was always likely to be an above average performer on the turf.

The four-year-old, who is owned by the Shadai Race Horse Company Ltd and trained by Kazuo Fujisawa looked unbeatable at Tokyo Racecourse during the Japanese Oaks which was staged in May 2017, cruising to an impressive two-length victory in the classic.

Christophe Lemaire, who piloted her to victory that day, suggested that there was plenty more to come from this star who finished comfortably ahead of Mozu Katchan.

Soul Stirring goes down in the history books for being the first two-year-old Grade 1 winner sired by the hugely popular Frankel and has now been crowned champion as a two and three-year-old. She previously claimed the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies event back in 2016 and although she is yet to be raced outside of her native Japan, she looks set to clock up the miles in 2018 with proposed trips to both Royal Ascot and November's Breeders Cup. The filly was acknowledged at the Japanese Racing Association Annual Awards with one of the owners, Teruya Yoshida talking excitedly about some of the future ventures and possibilities which have been lined up for the impressive four-year-old.

Frankel remains the highest-rated horse in the modern-era of the sport having been given a rating of 140 prior to his retirement in 2012 and many racing fans have been eagerly awaiting to see how the multiple Grade 1 winner's offspring would fare in competitive fields. Soul Stirring's dam is US Champion and French Classic winner Stacelita who enjoyed success in the Prix de Diane, La Coup and the Beverly D. Stakes and it's little wonder that this horse is held in such high regard. The former Chad Brown inmate was sold to Terry Yoshida to become a broodmare back in 2011 with accumulated career earnings of $2,371,241. Soul Stirring could follow in her dam's footsteps and compete at the Breeders Cup in 2018 although a number of opportunities are likely to present themselves prior to the November event which is set to return to Churchill Downs this year. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a possible destination with the ante-post betting having priced the Japanese Oaks winner up at 33/1 for the race. It's a competitive-looking field which also contains the likes of Enable, Cracksman and Ulysses.

Royal Ascot is a real possibility for this talented filly with the regal five-day festival showcasing some of the richest and most prestigious flat races in the world. Taking place in Berkshire, Royal Ascot is always one of the most hotly anticipated events on the racing calendar and although Soul Stirring's participation is yet to be officially confirmed, there are a number of races which could be deemed suitable. The Queen Anne Stakes, which gets underway on the first day of the festival, is competed over the mile and the filly would be eligible for a three-pound allowance should she line-up for this. Australian thoroughbred Winx is the current 4/1 favourite for the Group 1 race. Having competed over further throughout 2017, the Prince of Wales Stakes may be a better option with the Group 1 event run over one and a quarter miles. The aforementioned Cracksman and Enable are both in the line-up and are 9/2 and 5/1 respectively in the ante-post markets. Any punter who is hoping to take advantage of the early value available on this classy duo can use one of the many free bets when signing up to online bookmaker, including a £100 free bet which can be placed on any racing market.

It's an embarrassment of riches throughout mid-June and there are a number of other terrific races later in the week including the Group 1 Coronation Stakes and the Sandringham Stakes. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the final day of the festival is another realistic possibility for Soul Stirring, who specialises in distances between ten and twelve furlongs.

There has been Japanese representation at the festival previously including Spielberg, who was saddled by Soul Stirring's trainer Kazuo Fujisawa in 2015. Unfortunately, he could only finish sixth behind Free Eagle in the Prince of Wales' Stakes. Hearts Run is another runner who failed to fire Japan to glory with the fast-ground performer narrowly missing out to Hurricane Run back in the 2006 running of the King George.

Soul Stirring could be joined in the UK by Tower of London with the three-year-old being considered for a number of contests including the St. James' Palace Stakes and the 2,000 Guineas. The talented three-year-old, who is owned by Sheik Mohammed, is still incredibly inexperienced but has shown plenty of ability during his first two racetrack appearances, including a two-length victory over Cassius in the Keio Hai Nisai Stakes which was held in November 2017. He was unable to follow it up, finishing third in the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at Hanshin but it was still a creditable performance in an incredibly competitive Grade 1 contest. Kazuo Fujisawa could be double-handed at Royal Ascot 2018 with Japanese trainers increasingly targeting the festival which offers an eye-watering amount of prize money. 

Terry Yoshida owns a number of horses out of Frankel including juvenile colt Solid Dream who currently remains un-raced after being foaled in the UK and shipped over to Japan in 2017. Nothing But Dreams, another filly out of Frankel and Danedream sadly saw her career prematurely ended by a bowed tendon.

Soul Stirring is certainly a hugely exciting prospect and the opportunities are plentiful. Having enjoyed success in Japan, the net looks set to be cast much wider in 2018. The Breeders Cup remains a possibility, as does The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October but fans want to see this talented filly at Royal Ascot and the UK festival appears to be the priority for connections.