Roses in May to Stand in Japan

Roses in May, winner of the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in late March and first in the national NTRA poll, will begin his stallion career next year in Japan. Owners Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey have sold an interest in the breeding rights--more than 80%--in the 5-year-old son of Devil His Due to an undisclosed Japanese party, represented by Mikki Tsuge. Roses in May will continue to race for the Ramseys and be aimed for a repeat win in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga and another try in the Breeders' Cup Classic – Powered by Dodge (gr. I) in October. Roses in May ran second in the race last year.

"The Japanese are looking for a replacement for Sunday Silence, and Roses in May is from the Halo line and Sunday Silence is a son of Halo," Kenneth Ramsey said about the comparison to the deceased Japanese stallion. "Roses in May and Sunday Silence are alike in that both are jet black and have identical facial markings. They came over several times to inspect him and couldn't believe the similarities."

The price will remain confidential.

"It was an offer we couldn't refuse, and we get to keep a piece of the horse," he said. "After the Dubai race when we were over there, a representative for Sheikh Mohammed made overtures of buying the whole horse. They wanted 100% of him for racing as well as breeding. With the offer from the Japanese, we'll be able to send our mares to him. And if things don't work out, we can bring him back to Kentucky (Ramsey Farm near Nicholasville) to live out his final days."

Following his return to Kentucky following the Dubai Cup, Roses in May has been undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment at the Kesmarc training center near Versailles, Ky., to help rebuild his strength. Dale Romans will remain his trainer.

Ramsey said the Japanese might want Roses in May to contest the Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-I) around Thanksgiving. "I told the man if he wins, he can lead him in the winner's circle," Ramsey said.

The Ramseys might send their homebred Kitten's Joy, last year's champion turf male, to contest the Japan Cup (Jpn-I) on grass on the same card. They plan to stand Kitten's Joy at their farm next year, along with Badge of Silver and Catienus. Badge of Silver currently is in training. Catienus, last year's leading freshman sire by number of winners, is standing at Highcliff Farm near Delanson, N.Y.

Roses in May, who was bred by Margaux Farm and produced from the Speak John mare Tell a Secret, has finished first or second in 12 of 13 races and has earned $5,490,187. He also won last year's Kentucky Cup Classic (gr. II) and Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Breeders' Cup (gr. III) Handicaps and ran second in this year's Donn Handicap (gr. I).