by Michael Burns

John G. Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington will shuttle Seeking the Dia to Chile for the upcoming Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
 
Seeking the Dia, an eight-year-old Storm Cat horse out of European highweight Seeking the Pearl, by Seeking the Gold,  was a five-time stakes winner in Japan. He is the leading earner for his sire and will stand in Chile at Haras Matancilla under a two-year lease agreement.

A champion with career earnings of $5,044,815 and considered one of the best dirt horses of all time in Japan by the Japan Racing Association, Seeking the Dia won or placed in 15 group races, ten of which were Group 1 events, including the 2005 Japan Cup Dirt.

"We view Chilean breeding and racing to be a leading market in South America," Sikura said. "We look forward to partnering with a major Chilean breeder and exposing a great potential sire in Seeking the Dia to the outcross mares in Chile."

Storm Cat’s leading money earner stands for $10,000 at Hill ‘n’ Dale.

In addition to Seeking the Dia, Hill ‘n’ Dale stallions Indygo Shiner, Mutakddim, Grand Reward, and El Corredor will make a trip back to Argentina to stand the Southern Hemisphere season at Hernan Ceriani’s Haras La Quebrada.

Also heading back to Argentina is Grade 1 winner Roman Ruler, a half brother to El Corredor, who will make his second trip to Damasia and Pablo Zabaleta’s Haras Vacacion.

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent