- Feb 11
- 1 min read
Mountain Barows, whose granddam Starstruck enjoyed a banner 2025 stateside, is carrying the family line forward on his broad shoulders in Japan.
The well-sized Kitasan Black colt out of Starstruck's daughter Turf War (War Front) showed deft athleticism to win over a flat mile on debut at Tokyo Racecourse.
The Shimokobe Farm graduate awaited a seam behind a line of horses turning for home before being angled inside for his run. The filly Shine Alps meantime moved to the fore on the outside and reached even terms with Mountain Barows inside the last furlong.
The big-striding Mountain Barows found more under jockey Rachel King to secure a narrow decision and award his dam with a 2nd Japan-bred winner.
Victorious sprinting in the Listed Christiecat S. under Christophe Clement, she was acquired by Shimokobe for $360,000 at Keeneland's 2020 November Sale.
Starstruck (Galileo) was represented last year by both Gr3 winner Daisy Flyer (Mshawish) and Gr2-placed Turf Star (Caravaggio). The Calumet Farm producer is dam of seven winners from as many foals to race.