Shirl's Speight, Fipke, Attfield Aim to Make History in Japan

Canadian-owned and trained SHIRL’S SPEIGHT, a gallant second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Keeneland in November, is headed to Japan to compete in the Group 1 February stakes, worth $1.9 million on Feb. 19 at Tokyo Racecourse. This would mark the first time that an international horse has ever competed in the one-mile dirt race which was inaugurated in 1984.

The February Stakes is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), this year to be held at Santa Anita.

Sid Fernando, the advisor to Fipke, told Thoroughbred Daily News that the the 6-year-old horse by Speightstown was nominated and accepted to the race.

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“Charles is one of the few North American owners who are actually licensed to race in Japan,” said Fernando to the TDN. “That’s number one. Number two, he also breeds a few mares in Japan every year. He’s got a good relationship with Northern Farm and Katsumi Yoshida. He’s got a runner in Japan, as well, who last year won a couple of races–Kana Tape (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn})–and he’s an adventurer. He is a guy that is very interested in the international game.. .His entire career was built on a bunch of adventuring and discovering diamond mines. This all fits his sensibilities.

“And, on top of all of that, he’d like to also try to win a Grade 1 race on dirt with Shirl’s Speight. With his Japanese contacts and
everything, it’s showcasing that horse over there as a potential stallion prospect, not that he plans on selling the horse or
anything. For Japanese breeders, it’s exposure.”

Shirl’s Speight has won 5 of 14 races including the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile, the Grade 3 Tampa Bay Stakes and Grade 3 Marine Stakes. He has earned just over $1 million.