The 2022-23 Japan Horse of the Year Equinox is set to retain his opening fee of ¥20,000,000 (approx. US$130,000) alongside and at the same level as his sire Kitasan Black and Kizuna at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan for 2025.
Equinox covered a stellar book of 203 mares this term and his first foals are eagerly awaited, while Kitasan Black could be represented by further top-level success through recent Hai Nisai Stakes (G2) scorer Croix du Nord.
Kizuna, sire of top-flight winners Songline, Akai Ito, and Justin Milano and a real force to be reckoned with this year, has had his fee increased from ¥12,000,000.
Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail has his first 2-year-olds in 2025 and stands for an increased ¥15,000,000 (from ¥12,000,000), while Japanese champion first-season sire Suave Richard remains at ¥15,000,000.
Among the American-bred stallions on the roster, Nadal leads the way at ¥10,000,000, an improvement over last year's fee of ¥3,000,000, after having his first 2-year-olds hit the track this season. Represented by 24 winners from 51 foals to race, Nadal is among the leading first-crop sires in Japan, along with Shadai's Saturnalia who will stand for the same fee as Nadal.
Other United States-breds on the roster include Drefong (¥5,000,000), New Year's Day (¥2,000,000), Bricks and Mortar (¥4,000,000), Mind Your Biscuits (¥2,000,000), and Hot Rod Charlie (¥1,500,000), who had his first foals in 2024.
The full roster of more than 30 stallions at Shadai has been published and is available online.
