German champion Fantastic Moon to start out at €9,000 - regardless of what happens in the Far East

Top-class colt Fantastic Moon is to stand at Gestut Ebbesloh in 2025 under the ownership of Liberty Racing following a swansong – or two – in the Far East.

His fee has been set at €9,000, with connections bold enough to publish the rate despite the four-year-old being set to contest the Japan Cup at Tokyo a fortnight on Sunday, with the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin in December also in the mix.

The son of Sea The Moon has won at Group level in each of his three seasons in training including in the Preis des Winterfavoriten as a juvenile. Last year he was trained by Sarah Steinberg to land the Deutches Derby and the Prix Niel while he added the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September.

Liberty Racing, who bought Fantastic Moon for €49,000 from breeder Stauffenberg Bloodstock at the BBAG September Yearling Sale, have received recent offers for him but stood their ground. 

He is one of three overseas-trained horses, along with Goliath and Auguste Rodin, to have accepted an invitation to the Japan Cup. He was last seen finishing ninth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, having almost been withdrawn on account of the ground at the last minute.

Liberty Racing founder Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten said in a statement: "The colt will travel to Tokyo on November 13 to compete against renowned international rivals on November 24 and subsequently take up stud duty following his return.

"He was unbeaten as a Group winner as a two-year-old and was three-year-old champion, Derby winner and Horse of the Year 2023. As a four-year-old, he documented his class and toughness with two Group wins and the second Group 1 win in the Grosser Preis von Baden.

"Fantastic Moon remains the property of Liberty Racing 2021 and will be the first Sea The Moon son to stand stud in Germany."

He added of the fee:  “We’re starting breeder-friendly; despite his outstanding performances over three racing seasons, Liberty Racing 2021 has decided that Fantastic Moon will begin with a stud fee of €9,000 – regardless of his performance in the Japan Cup." 

Trainer Sarah Steinberg said: “If things go well in Japan, we’re considering adding a run in the Hong Kong Vase. Fanta came out of the Arc in great shape and has been training excellently. We are very optimistic about the trip to Asia. The flight leaves on November 13 directly for Tokyo."

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