Cafe Pharoah added the prestigious $1.8 million February S. (G1) Feb. 21 at Tokyo Racecourse, winning the one-mile dirt race by nearly a length and earning the 4-year-old colt a guaranteed spot in this year Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) as part of the “Win and You're In” Challenge Series.

The son of 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah was consigned and sold by Eddie Woods for $475,000 at the 2019 OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in Training. 

Ridden with confidence by Christophe Lemaire in what was his first start of 2021, Cafe Pharoah tracked the leaders in third for most of the trip before setting down in the final furlong. He surged to the front and held off the charge of Air Spinel (JPN) to get the distance in 1:34.40 on a fast track.

“His condition was super, and I had confidence already at the paddock,” said Lemaire. “We decided to use cheek pieces hoping for a more aggressive performance. His start was good, we were positioned well and he responded beautifully. The colt has such high potential. I had no doubt that he could land a Group 1 win if he gave his best. I'm happy that it all worked out today.” 

Cafe Pharoah won a pair of Group 3 races last term and is now 5-0-0 in seven starts and has earned $1,896,258 for owner Koichi Nishikawa. He was bred in Kentucky by the late Paul Pompa out of the multiple graded winner Mary's Follies, who in turn has also produced graded winners Regal Glory and Night Prowler in addition to Cafe Pharoah.