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 six-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 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 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-times winner in Japan, and a descendant of champion miler Sonic Lady, who notched up wins in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Prix du Moulin in 1986.

Deirdre: a regular figure on Newmarket Heath in recent timesCredit: Chris Bourchier

Deirdre, who was bred by Northern Farm, was fourth behind Soul Stirring in the Japanese Oaks but landed her first Grade 1 victory in the Shuka Sho at three before adding two more Graded successes to her name in Japan in 2018.

Also third behind Benbatl in the Dubai Turf and Glorious Forever in the Hong Kong Cup in 2018, her crowning glory came in front of the Goodwood crowds when denying Mehdaayih in last year's Nassau Stakes.

She failed to add to her tally after that but did finish third behind Magical in the Champion Stakes 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.

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