Star Japanese Mare Deirdre to Visit Galileo in 2021

The hugely popular Japanese mare Deirdre will visit supreme sire Galileo for her first mating next year, connections have confirmed. 

Having been quoted in Japanese publication Sports Hochi, trainer Mitsuru Hashida—who trained the 6-year-old to eight wins from 33 starts —said a visit to Coolmore's perennial champion sire was next for Deirdre.

By runaway King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) winner Harbinger, a son of the retired Dansili for whom she was a first top-flight winner, Deirdre is out of the Special Week mare Reizend, herself a half sister to Elm Stakes (G3) scorer Renforcer and dual grade 3 victor Northern River. 

The third foal out of Reizend, Deirdre is a half sister to the Falbrav gelding Odysseus, a five-time winner in Japan and a descendant of champion miler Sonic Lady, who notched up wins in the Goffs Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), Coronation Stakes (G1), Swettenham Stud Sussex Stakes (G1), and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Ecurie Fustok (G1) in 1986. 

Deirdre, who was bred by Northern Farm, was fourth behind Soul Stirring in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) but landed her first grade 1 victory in the Shuka Sho (G1) at 3 before adding two more graded successes to her name in Japan in 2018. 

Also third behind Benbatl in the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) and Glorious Forever in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) in 2018, her crowning glory came in front of the Goodwood crowds when denying Mehdaayih in last year's Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1). 

She failed to add to her tally after that but did finish third behind Magical in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) last October and also placed a head second in a competitive race at the Saudi Cup meeting in February.

Deirdre, who has become a popular sight in Newmarket over the last couple of years with work rider Yuta Komiyama, has been winding down in the town after making her final track appearance in Bahrain last month.