Grade 1 winner Eskimo Kisses off to a ‘great home’ in Japan

Eskimo Kisses, whose resume leads with a last-to-first victory in the 2018 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, will continue her second career overseas.

Shadai Farm’s Tetsuya Yoshida placed the winning bid of $2.3 million for her on Wednesday at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. He was on the phone just after that with his father, Teruya Yoshida, who was said to be “so excited” to get their top Book 1 target.

Next, it’s back to Japan for Eskimo Kisses, a 4-year-old who’s in foal to leading sire Curlin.

“She’s a wonderful young mare,” said Michael Hernon, whose Gainesway Farm dispersed a partnership by entering her into the sale. “This is what the market said she’s worth. Maybe we’ll take a trip to Japan to see her.

“What can I say? She’s just a pretty special piece of horse flesh, and I’m just glad she’s going to a great home.”

Eskimo Kisses was Grade 1-placed for trainer Kenny McPeek before heading to Saratoga last summer, but her 6 1/2-length victory put her on the map as a top runner from her generation. It was a stacked field with She’s a Julie, Midnight Bisou, Talk Veuve to Me and Coach Rocks next across the wire.

“She’s got great character and determination,” Hernon said. “She was very kind.”

Back this season, Eskimo Kisses ran once more when fifth in Oaklawn Park’s Azeri Stakes (G2). The March 16 race allowed time to breed her this season, too.

Hernon said departing with the Gainesway homebred Eskimo Kisses — who also ran for Harold Lerner, Nehoc Stables and Magdalena Racing — was “a little bittersweet.”

“But we’re in the business of selling horses and breeding horses,” he added. “She’s a really good one. They got something special, and we’ll look forward to good news from her. I’m convinced she’ll be a serious broodmare in her own right.”

Overall, Eskimo kisses retired with three wins from 12 starts and earnings of $711,102.