Graded Success for Flightline's Shonan Galleon in Japan

2022 Horse of the Year Flightline was represented by his first group/graded winner when Shonan Galleon (JPN)romped by 6 lengths in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3T) Sept. 5 in Japan. Shonan Galleon chased leader Cosmo Hanamizuki (JPN) before taking command in the stretch in the turf race over 1,800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles). He pulled clear of the early leader, who held to place ahead of Desert Spirit (JPN) in third. The winner, who improved to 2-for-2, was timed in 1:50.3 over the Sapporo Racecourse turf course under Katsuma Sameshima. Shizuya Kato trains the colt for owner Tetsuhide Kunimoto. Northern Racing bred Shonan Galleon in Japan out of the Full Mast mare Tan Gritona (ARG), the champion 2-year-old filly in Argentina in 2021/2022. The winner is from the first crop of Flightline, an 8-year-old son of Tapit out of the Indian Charlie mare Feathered, who entered stud at Lane's End in Kentucky after retiring unbeaten in six starts after capturing the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) by 8 1/4 lengths at Keeneland. Besides being named Horse of the Year in 2022, Flightline was also rated as the Longines World's Best Racehorse that season. His other top-level victories included the 2021 Malibu Stakes (G1), the 2022 Metropolitan Handicap (G1), and the 2022 Pacific Classic Stakes (G1). He entered stud with a fee of $200,000 and stood for $125,000 earlier this year.