Sottsass, a three-time group 1 winner in his native France, arrived at Shizunai Stallion Station in Hokkaido March 7 to start his stud duty.
While the introduction of Sottsass to the Japan Bloodstock Breeders Association was announced Oct. 26, the importation of Sottsass to Japan was delayed due to a complicated quarantine arrangement. JBBA plans to conduct an open house for five days, starting March 10, to exhibit the stallion who stands the 2025 season for ¥2.5 million (approx. US$16,770). He should start covering mares within a few days.
Sottsass by Siyouni was offered at the 2017 Arqana August Sale and bought by Oceanic Bloodstock, on behalf of White Birch Farm, for €340,000. Trained by J.C. Rouget, Sottsass started 12 times and won 6 of them, including the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) in 2019 and the Prix Ganay (G1) and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in 2020.
Sottsass began his stallion career in 2021 at Coolmore in Ireland. His first crop are now 3-year-olds. Sena Style, a 3-year-old colt by Sottsass out of Nuovo Record, became Sottsass' first winner in Japan Jan. 19 when the colt won a maiden race at Chukyo.
Susumu Fujita's Shin Emperor, who won Neom Turf Cup (G2T) in Saudi Arabia Feb. 22, is a full brother to Sottsass.
