Lemon Pop introduced at ¥5 million as Darley Japan announce 2025 fees and roster

Group 1 victor Lemon Pop, winner of the Champions Cup and the Nambu Hai in consecutive years, has been introduced at a fee of ¥5 million (£25,195/€30,610) at Darley Japan. 

The son of the late Lemon Drop Kid received the JRA award for Best Dirt Horse in 2023 and accumulated earnings of just over £4.6m during his racing career. He signed off with success in a second Champions Cup at Chukyo this month. 

Lemon Pop joins a roster which also includes proven dirt sire Pyro, who is priced at an unchanged ¥4m, as well as the in-demand Palace Malice. The son of Curlin has been hugely popular due to the success of his progeny, including 2023 JRA champion two-year-old Jantar Mantar, while he also attracted the largest book of mares in Japan last year. The 14-year-old will stand at an unchanged fee of ¥3.5m.

Tower Of London's first crop included Group 2 Keio-Hai Stakes winner Panja Tower and record-breaking Group 3 place-getter Arlington Row, meaning he will stand for an increased ¥2m.

Derby and King George hero Adayar and Baaeed's King George and Coronation Cup-winning brother Hukum remain unchanged at fees of ¥1.8m and ¥1.2m. 

Palace Malice: immensely popular sire at Darley JapanCredit: Darley Japan

Yoshida, whose US-conceived first crop has yielded Group winners Grayosh and Santuario; Thunder Snow, whose progeny includes Listed Marine Cup winner Tenka Jo; and Fine Needle, another sire of black-type winners, will all stand for ¥1.5m.

The highly rated Will Take Charge, who will have his first Japanese foals in 2025, and American Patriot, one of the top-five stallions for two-year-old winners on dirt this year, are priced at ¥1.2m. 

Talismanic, who boasts a high percentage of winners to runners with success on turf and dirt – and over a range of distances – will stand for ¥1m. 

Darley Japan's nominations manager Shotaro Kajiya said: “In addition to Palace Malice, who had the largest number of coverings this year, and Tower Of London, whose first runners gained so much attention, we now have Lemon Pop, who achieved unparalleled success on dirt tracks joining the stallion roster to make it even stronger than before.

“We will continue to strive to support owners and breeders by standing the best stallions from around the world while offering attractive terms. We look forward to your continued generous support."

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