Godolphin Buys Japanese Star Utopia

Japanese group I winner Utopia has been purchased by Godolphin from Makoto Kaneko with the intention of racing him this year, then standing him in 2006 in Darley Japan. A 6-year-old son of Forty Niner, Utopia impressed Godolphin founder and Darley owner Sheikh Mohammed with a victory in the March 25 Jebel Ali International Hotels Godolphin Mile (UAE-II).

"Sheikh Mohammed saw him win the Godolphin Mile, and was very impressed by him that evening," said Godolphin's John Ferguson. "He's a horse that has been on the radar screen for a while and not only for his ability as a racehorse but he's a son of Forty Niner and from a good family. He's a horse that won three of four as a 2-year-old and has been successful up through his current age."

Ferguson also alluded to the success of Forty Niner's sons at stud, especially major sire Distorted Humor  .

Utopia, who is a half-brother to Japanese group winner Aloha Dream and is out of the Northern Taste mare Dream Vision, is a Japanese group I winner at a mile and at 1 1/4 miles and has captured a total of eight of 31 races and earned $4,823,265. He is scheduled to arrive in England in June, after which a racing itinerary will be set.