Johannesburg, the champion 2-year-old in England and the U.S. in 2001, has been sold to stand at stud in Japan. According to the Racing Post, the 10-year-old son of Hennessy has been purchased by the Japanese Bloodhorse Breeders Association and will stand at the Shizunai Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido.
The Post reported Johannesburg is standing the Southern Hemisphere season in Argentina and will relocate to Japan in January 2010.
Johannesburg had stood at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Central Kentucky since being retired in 2002. During the 2009 breeding season, he stood for a fee of $35,000.
Johannesburg, the leading freshman sire of 2006, has been represented by 26 stakes winners and progeny that has earned more than $19 million. His top runners include grade I winner Scat Daddy, grade II winner Teuflesberg, French group I winner Sageburg, and Australian group I winner Turffontein.
Bred in Kentucky by Wayne Lyster and Jayeff B Stables, Johannesburg was purchased by agent Demi O’Byrne for $200,000 at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Johannesburg went undefeated in seven starts during his championship season, highlighted by a victory in the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Winless in three starts at age 3, Johannesburg was retired with seven wins from 10 starts and earnings of $1,014,585.