Japanese Grade I Winner Seeking the Pearl Dead

Seeking the Pearl, a Japanese grade I winner who became the first Japanese-trained horse to win a race in Europe, died June 10 at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky. There were no signs of physical injury. The farm is awaiting a report on the cause of death. An 11-year-old daughter of Seeking the Gold, Seeking the Pearl was owned by Richard Santulli and George Prussin's Jayeff B Stables.

Bred in Virginia by Joe Allbritton's Lazy Lane Stables and sent to Japan as a yearling, Seeking the Pearl won six Japanese stakes, including the NHK Mile Cup (Jpn-I). As a 4-year-old in 1998 for owner Tomoko Uenaka, she made history by winning the Prix Maurice de Gheest (Fr-I) and shattered a 17-year-old course record in the process. Seeking the Pearl was France's champion older sprint mare that year.

Seeking the Pearl was acquired privately by Jayeff B in 1999 and raced twice in the United States for the outfit. She finished unplaced in both races and retired with eight wins from 21 starts and earnings of $4,021,716.

Seeking the Pearl produced three named foals, including Japanese grade II winner and millionaire Seeking the Dia (by Storm Cat). Her youngest offspring is a Giant's Causeway 2-year-old filly named Seeknfind. Seeking the Pearl, who was produced from the Seattle Slew mare Page Proof, did not produce an offspring this year and was in foal to Giant's Causeway at the time of her death.