Chrono Genesis sparking a new beginning for Japan's Bago

Rather under the radar for most of his stallion career, Sunday could just be the moment that Bago breaks cover.

Should Chrono Genesis and Oisin Murphy take the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the principal theme will be that Japan has finally ended its momentous wait for a first victory in the European extravaganza.

For all that this will also elevate Bago to hero status, there will be another laurel to place on his head. He will have been the first stallion since the supreme Montjeu to not only win but sire an Arc winner.

The pair's trajectories have been somewhat different. Hurricane Run, who burst up the inside under Kieren Fallon, was a member of Montjeu's first crop in 2005 and was followed by a gilded roll-call of Classic winners and European stars.

Bago, meanwhile, who was the defending champion that year but failed to quite get himself in the mix to be third, headed to the Far East after joining the roster of the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.

Five-year-old mare Chrono Genesis, a four-time Grade 1 winner and commanding in the last two renewals of the Takarazuka Kinen, is by some margin his best progeny so far and Bago's team at home have their fingers crossed.

"There certainly is excitement within the JBBA about Chrono Genesis running in the Arc de Triomphe, and within the breeding area here in Hokkaido as well," says Dr Shigeki Yusa, general manager of the JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, where Bago currently stands.

"We are hoping Chrono Genesis runs a good race, as that would be such a treat for all the breeders who have supported Bago over the years."

Chrono Genesis arrives at the Arc with high hopes from JapanCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Bago, a dark-coloured son of Nashwan, came back to life in that Arc. A deeply exciting juvenile for Jonathan Pease, he had concluded an unbeaten season by landing the Group 1 Criterium International.

He made a slightly belated return at three when winning the Prix Jean Prat and followed up in the Grand Prix de Paris. Bago was upset by Sulamani when a warm favourite for the Juddmonte International, only to pick up decisively on better ground at Longchamp.

He was to finish his career in the country he has made his home, finishing eighth behind Luca Cumani's Alkaased in a tight Japan Cup.

A half-brother to Pease's dual Group 1 winner, and now Castlehyde stallion, Maxios, he hails from the Niarchos family's glorious line as a grandson of the standout French two-year-old Coup De Genie, the sister of Machiavellian.

"His excellent female line and his brilliant performance as a two-year-old are also factors that caught our interest, but yes, his Arc de Triomphe win was probably an even bigger reason for his joining our stallion roster," Dr Yusa explains.

There have been a few thin seasons; Bago has produced some very modest crops, including 17 in 2009 and just 12 in 2016. The arrival of Chrono Genesis, and three-year-old colt Stella Veloce, third in the Japanese Guineas and Derby and most recently a winner of the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai, has magnetised his appeal once again.

"There have been times when it was difficult for him to attract mares, but he has also had some strong supporters who have sent mares to him every year, and it is thanks to such support that we have been fortunate enough to have such success with him," says Dr Yusa. "We would like to thank everyone who believed in Bago as a stallion.

"The performance of his progeny, including Chrono Genesis, has certainly helped to increase bookings to Bago in recent years. The quality of mares coming to him has also improved, as interest from breeders and owners seems to have increased as well."

It seems that the horse himself is willing to satisfy this increasing demand, as the manager reports him to be in the rudest of health as part of a cosmopolitan roster which also includes Noble Mission, Animal Kingdom, Makfi and Declaration Of War.

"Bago is doing very well," he says. "He has a very energetic personality and seems to be young, both physically and mentally, having covered 105 mares this season. In fact, he might be the most vigorous 20-year-old stallion I have ever been around."

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