Leading Japanese performer Dream Journey has been retired to the Shadai Stallion Station.  

Dream Journey (7h Stay Gold – Oriental Art by Mejiro McQueen) was Japan’s top-rated horse in the 2009 World Rankings when he won both the G1 Takarazuka Kinen and G1 Arima Kinen.

Dream Journey had begun his career with a G1 victory in the 2006 Asahi Hai 2YO Futurity, however, he has not been the force of old for some time.  The Yasutoshi Ikee trained galloper bowed out when well back in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen last month.

Ikee also prepares Dream Journey’s younger brother Orfevre who completed Japan’s 2000 Guineas – Derby double in May.  Their sire Stay Gold (Sunday Silence) won the 2001 Dubai Sheema Classic and G1 Hong Kong Vase before retiring to stud.

Last week, Shadai announced Casino Drive would also be retired to stud in 2012.  The son of Mineshaft won four races in Japan and was a G2 winner of the 2009 Peter Pan Stakes in New York.