Japanese-trained son of Invincible Spirit snapped up for Australia

Ittetsu, a leading Japanese sprinter bred in Ireland and by Irish National Stud stalwart Invincible Spirit, has been bought to race in Australia for Darren Weir with The Everest later this year his long-term target.

The deal was struck by Jamie Lovett's Australian Bloodstock, who told the country's Daily Telegraph: “We've had our eye on Ittetsu for a few months. We feel he has the speed and ability to have a big chance in The Everest.

“The plan is to bring the horse to Sydney. He'll go into quarantine at Canterbury and come out four days before The Galaxy [in late March].

“All going well, he'll then go to the TJ Smith Stakes [in April] and then we hope to get him to The Everest in the spring.”

Ittetsu has won six of his 26 starts in Japan, and made his last start when a close third to Nero in the Grade 3 Keihan Hai over six furlongs at Kyoto in November.

He was bred by Swordlestown Stud in County Kildare out of the unraced Machiavellian mare Temple Street, making him a half-brother to Queen Mary Stakes winner Langs Lash.

JS Company paid 110,000gns for Ittetsu at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2013, having been bought for €80,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale.

Invincible Spirit is held in high esteem in Australia, where his son I Am Invincible is one of the most exciting young stallions around, with his representatives having sold for an average of around A$480,000 at last month's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Watch Ittetsu finish third in the Keihan Hai:

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