Japan's Racing Industry Minimally Affected by Quake

The devastation in Japan that was caused by an earthquake and a tsunami March 11 did little harm to Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation in Japan.

“The stud was involved in an earthquake, but there was no serious structural damage and all the horses are fine,” Darley director of stallions Sam Bullard told the Racing Post.

Darley Japan, located on the island of Hokkaido, stands nine Thoroughbred stallions, including 2001 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Fantastic Light.

The Racing Post also reported French bloodstock agent Patrick Barbe made contract with a representative of Japanese horseman Teruya Yoshida, whose farm is on Hokkaido.”Everything (there) seem OK, although the situation is very grave and chaotic elsewhere,” Barbe said.

The island of Hokkaido is home to American-bred and raced champions such as Charismatic, Empire Maker, and Silver Charm, all of whom stand at the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association Stallion Station. The Daily Racing reported that the most of the farms on Hokkaido survived the earthquake in relatively good condition.

The Japan Racing Association's race meet at the Tokyo-area Funabashi Race Course March 14-18 was cancelled because of the effects of the earthquake.