Cesario, Grade 1 winner in Japan and U.S., dies at 19

Cesario, a Grade 1 winner on two continents and the dam of two champions in Japan, died Saturday at Northern Farm in Japan of a ruptured artery. The daughter of Special Week was 19.

Cesario won 5 of 6 career starts and was named the Japanese champion 3-year-old filly of 2005. After winning her first three starts, including the Grade 3 Hai Flower Cup, she was second by a head in the Japanese 1000 Guineas. She rebounded to win the Japanese Oaks at 1 1/2 miles. Later that summer, she shipped to the United States to win another Grade 1, with a four-length win in the American Oaks going 1 1/4 miles at Hollywood Park.

As a broodmare, Cesario has produced nine winners from 10 starters to date, including two champions. Saturnalia, by Lord Kanaloa, was a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile who went on to win the Japanese 2000 Guineas and earn a divisional title at 3; the mare also produced champion 2-year-old Leontes, by Kamehameha. Cesario also is the dam of Japan Cup and Japanese St. Leger winner Epiphaneia, by Symboli Kris S; and Grade 2-placed Glove Theatre, by King Kamehameha.

Cesario’s sons have made a promising start at stud. Epiphaneia is the sire of four stakes winners to date, including 2020 Japanese Filly Triple Crown winner and champion Daring Tact. The stallion was recently selected as the first mating for champion Almond Eye. Leontes recently recorded his first stakes winner with Saudi Derby winner Pink Kamehameha. Meanwhile, Saturnalia entered stud this year.