Coolmore Stud has announced a second stallion relocation in as many days involving its Ashford Stud base in Kentucky.

International Group 1 winner Cape Blanco (Ire) will cover his next northern mares in Hokkaido in a deal struck with the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association.

He is currently serving a third southern book for a $14,000 fee at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.

The news comes just 24 hours after it was reported Declaration of War will move from Coolmore’s Irish headquarters to Ashford Stud in 2015.  He is covering an initial southern book in the Hunter Valley at $27,500 (inc gst).

Cape Blanco (Galileo) was a 330,000 euros purchase for Coolmore buyer Demi O’Byrne at the 2008 Goffs Million yearling sale.  He won the G2 Futurity Stakes at Fairyhouse at two and returned to capture the G1 Irish Derby and G1 Irish Champion Stakes in his classic year.  He was also runner-up to Harbinger in the King George at Ascot.

At four, Cape Blanco was a length fourth to Victoire Pisa in the Dubai World Cup before heading to the USA where he completed a Group 1 hat-trick in the Man O’ War Stakes, Arlington Million and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic.

He covered 220 mares in his debut season at Ashford Stud – the most of any stallion in the USA in 2012.  His first northern yearlings have also proven popular this year selling for a high of 340,000gns in Britain and $450,000 in the USA.