CHINA VISIT [USA] (dk b/br, 1996, by Red Ransom out of Furajet, by The Minstrel).
Standing at Usha Stud Farm, Gurgaon, Haryana.
A Godolphin standard-bearer, China Visit [USA] had an unorthodox racing campaign, tackling the Kentucky Derby (Gr.1), with only two runs under his belt. These starts were both successful, victory in a maiden in France at 2 being followed by one in the inaugural U.A.E. Derby in Dubai in March 1999. He won the latter race by a wide margin over Bachir, who paid him a phenomenal tribute by annexing the French and Irish 2000 Guineas at his next two starts!
Despite his inexperience, China Visit [USA] ran sixth at Churchill Downs, ahead of Captain Steve, War Chant, Anees and Commendable, but the effort took its toll, and it was over a year before he could score again, his victory coming again in France in the Prix du Rond Point (Gr.2). Later that season, he acquitted himself honourably in the Gr.1 Prix de la Foret (second to Mount Abu) and the Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1) (third to Eishin Preston and Electronic Unicorn). Bred by Paul Mellon, Red Ransom (sire of China Visit [USA]), was lightly raced, gaining the honours on 2 of his 3 appearances. His bloodlines earned him a place at stud, where the strong and well-made Virginia-bred has come up with several notable runners such as globe-trotting warriors Electrocutionist and Ekraar, the highly-rated Intikhab, and Grade 1 winners Bail Out Becky, Casual Look and Perfect Sting.
Furajet, dam of China Visit [USA], was precocious and speedy, with a couple of wins and numerous Group and Listed Stakes placings, to her credit. The daughter of The Minstrel was a half-sister to Classic winner King Of Kings. This is the female family of A.1, ancestress also of Ancestral, Batshoof, Chilibang, and Steel Heart.
If the numbers of first-crop foals were directly correlated with success as a first-crop sire, this well-made scion of the Roberto line, with 49 representatives, would be far and away the leader by the time the newly-started season concludes next October. Add the fact that he covered the best quality mares and it is hard to see how China Visit [USA] can fail to top the first season sires list at least as far as number of winners goes. He already has notched up his initial success.
