Shonan Galleon, a Japanese colt with an Argentine heart making history for Flightline
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The son of champion Tan Gritona won today by 6 lengths in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3) and became the first graded stakes winner for the unforgettable American horse
SAPPORO, Japan (Special for Turf Diario).— If his debut had raised enormous expectations, his second appearance finished confirming that Shonan Galleon possesses out-of-the-ordinary talent. The son of Flightline and the Argentine champion Tan Gritona offered another exhibition in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3-1800 m, turf), winning by 6 lengths and keeping his record perfect in 2 starts.
His success also carried a historic dimension: he became the first graded stakes winner for Flightline, that unforgettable horse who passed through North American racetracks like a comet, retiring undefeated after 6 starts, with 4 G1 victories and a collection of performances that remain fresh in memory.
He was the heavy favorite and ran like one. With Katsuma Sameshima once again in the irons, Shonan Galleon broke from post 2 and quickly found an ideal position, closely tracking Cosmo Hanamizuki (Win Bright), who grabbed the lead and took charge of setting the pace.
Unhurried, always traveling with immense comfort, the colt stayed second for a good portion of the trip while his jockey waited for the right moment to ask for the effort. Entering the far turn, he began to close on the leader, and once he hit the stretch, the race was practically over.
Shonan Galleon took control without difficulty and immediately started pulling away. With every stride he widened the margin, crossing the wire with 6 lengths to spare and leaving no doubts about his obvious superiority. Cosmo Hanamizuki held on for second, a length ahead of Desert Spirit (Isla Bonita), while Random Number (Salios) and Tenka Taihei (Tosen Rave) completed the top five.
The winner stopped the clock at 1m50s3/10 over a somewhat soft turf, covering the final 600 meters in 35s9/10. The authority of his performance was even greater than the margin suggests, as Sameshima never needed to push him hard to leave his rivals behind.
Trained by Shizuya Kato for Tetsuhide Kunimoto, Shonan Galleon had caused a sensation in his debut this past July 5th at Hakodate. That afternoon he also won over 1800 meters on the turf by 2 1/2 lengths, setting a track record for 2-year-olds when stopping the clock in 1m47s6/10.
His pedigree explains much of the excitement he generates. He is part of the first crop by Flightline, the son of Tapitwho was named Horse of the Year in the United States and whose career featured unforgettable victories in the Malibu Stakes (G1), Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Pacific Classic (G1)—by 19 1/4 lengths—and the Breeders’ Cup Classic(G1).
However, for Argentine racing, the story holds an even more special appeal, as Shonan Galleon is the first foal out of Tan Gritona. A daughter of Full Mast, the mare bred by Haras Gran Muñeca was the top 2-year-old filly of 2022, a season in which she won the Gran Premio Jorge de Atucha (G1) on the dirt at Palermo and the Gran Premio de Potrancas (G1) on the turf at San Isidro.
She was later acquired by Northern Farm and exported, giving birth in Japan to Shonan Galleon on February 13, 2024. The colt was sold that same year for 231,000,000 yen at the JRHA Select Sale, a figure that reflected the exceptional value of his pedigree from early on.
Now, those expectations are starting to find answers on the track. Two races, two wins, and a first graded victory that places him among the most interesting juveniles in Japan. Flightline now has the runner that opened his stakes stat book, while Tan Gritona begins to project as a broodmare the same quality she showed on Argentine tracks. Shonan Galleon carries champion blood on both sides and, from what has been seen so far, inherited their talent as well.
