American Patriot sired the biggest winner in his fledgling stallion career on Sunday, 20 March when his first-crop son Be Astonished landed the G2 Spring Stakes, a trial for the Japanese 2,000 Guineas. Sent straight to the front in the 1800m contest, Be Astonished showed great tenacity to hold on for a nose victory over Arrival.
Bred by Versailles Farm and owned by Toru Muranaka, Be Astonished is one of two winners bred out of Mao Rio (Neo Universe), a half-sister to G3-winner Rising Reason.
American Patriot, who is standing this season at a fee of 1.5 million yen, has been impressing with his first crop of runners. Be Astonished is his first Group winner with his 32 winners also including JRA scorers Southern State, Be The Luckiest, Breathlessly, Fin Heureuse, and Eternamente.
