Conduit to stand stud in Japan

ARCADIA, Calif. - Conduit, who successfully defended his title in Saturday's at Santa Anita, will stand at stud at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, Japan, when his racing career ends.

The deal was finalized last month, according to Miki Tsuge, who served as a liaison between Conduit's current owners, Ballymacoll Stud of Great Britain, and Okada Shigeyuki of Big Red Farm. The stallion career is likely to begin in 2010, Tsuge said.

Conduit could race one more time this year, in the Japan Cup on Nov. 29 or an international race in Hong Kong on Dec. 13.

"It's all in the hands of the trainer and current owner," Tsuge said.

Shigeyuki, who attended the BC Turf, is one of Japan's leading breeders.

Conduit, 4, won Saturday's BC Turf in a hard-fought battle with pacesetter Presious Passion, prevailing by a half-length. Trained by Michael Stoute, Conduit has won 7 of 14 starts and $5,378,357.

Earlier this year, he won the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot and was fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Aside from the 2008 BC Turf, Conduit won the Group 1 St. Leger Stakes in England last year.