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First Japanese Stakes Winner for Benbatl

Tara Madgwick - Monday February 23

Woodside Park Stud in Victoria were thinking outside the square when they decided to stand globetrotting Group I winning Dubawi stallion Benbatl (GB), who shuttles from Japan and he posted his first stakes-winner over the weekend in Japan.

Benbatl (GB) stands at Woodside Park, click for more info.

With his oldest Japanese bred progeny now three year-olds of 2026, Benbatl has been quick to make an impact and has had 15 winners from his first crop of foals that have just turned three.

He’s had three winners in 2026 and on Saturday added the stakes-winner Large Ensemble to his tally, while the filly Femme Courageuse was a good winner for Australian jockey Rachel King in Tokyo.

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Trained by Ryo Takei and ridden by Mirai Iwata, three year-old colt Large Ensemble won the Listed Hanshin Sumire Stakes (2200m) by three-quarters of a length, his second win from five starts.

Trained by Yoichi Kuroiwa, Femme Courageous was a winner from three starts last year and kicked off her three year-old season with a stylish win in the Freesia Sho (2000m).

Benbatl had his first foals arrive in Australia last year and covered 51 mares in his second season at a fee of $22,000.

Given the success in Australia of G1 winning Dubawi sons Too Darn Hot (GB) and Ghaiyyath (IRE), breeders might be well served to give Benbatl plenty of respect.

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