Luxor Cafe

Connections

Owner: Koichi Nishikawa
Breeders: Orpendale/chelston/wynatt & Westerberg Ireland Ulc
Trainer: Noriyuki Hori
Jockey: Joao Moreira

Luxor Cafe: 2025 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Luxor Cafe, a 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah out of Mary’s Follies, heads into the 2025 Kentucky Derby with wins in the Fukuryu Stakes (1:52.10 over 1 1/8 miles) and Hyacinth Stakes, earning 70 Derby points. With a pedigree featuring Pioneer of the Nile and More Than Ready, Luxor Cafe seeks to become the first Japanese horse to win the Kentucky Derby.

Pedigree

Luxor Cafe
├── Sire: American Pharoah
│   ├── Sire: Pioneer of the Nile
│   └── Dam: Littleprincessemma (by Yankee Gentleman)
└── Dam: Mary’s Follies
    ├── Sire: More Than Ready
    └── Dam: Catch The Queen (by Miswaki)

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: American Pharoah
  American Pharoah, a son of Pioneer of the Nile, is the 2015 Triple Crown winner, sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes, and also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, earning over $8.6 million. A leading sire, he has produced runners like Cafe Pharoah, a champion dirt horse in Japan, and Luxor Cafe, who has earned $397,057 with a record of 4-1-0 from six starts. American Pharoah’s progeny often excel at classic distances, with Luxor Cafe showing this trait in his Fukuryu Stakes win.
• Dam: Mary’s Follies
  Mary’s Follies, by More Than Ready, was a Grade 2 winner on turf, earning $338,889 with victories in the 2009 Mrs. Revere (G2) and Boiling Springs (G3) at 1 1/16 miles. She’s an exceptional broodmare, producing Cafe Pharoah (Japan champion dirt horse, $5.4 million), Regal Glory (2022 U.S. champion turf female, $2.6 million), and Luxor Cafe. Her progeny show versatility across dirt and turf, with Luxor Cafe succeeding on dirt in Japan.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• American Pharoah’s Parents (Luxor Cafe’s Paternal Grandparents)
  American Pharoah’s sire is Pioneer of the Nile, as you confirmed, a son of Empire Maker who finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, earning $1.6 million. Pioneer of the Nile sired Cairo Prince (Holy Bull Stakes winner) and has a strong influence on classic-distance runners, as seen with American Pharoah’s Triple Crown success. American Pharoah’s dam is Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman, who never won in two starts but produced American Pharoah as her second foal, showcasing her broodmare quality.
• Mary’s Follies’ Parents (Luxor Cafe’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Mary’s Follies’ sire is More Than Ready, a son of Southern Halo who earned $1 million, winning the 2000 King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) and finishing fourth in the 2000 Kentucky Derby. A versatile sire, his progeny include turf stars like Regal Glory and dirt runners like Cafe Pharoah. Mary’s Follies’ dam is Catch The Queen, by Miswaki, a mare from the family of Wavering Monarch. Catch The Queen adds depth to the pedigree, with Miswaki contributing speed—she’s the granddam of Luxor Cafe and his successful siblings.

Additional Notes on Luxor Cafe’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (American Pharoah): Pioneer of the Nile, by Empire Maker, brings stamina—his second-place finish in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and siring American Pharoah show his influence on classic distances. Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman, adds broodmare quality—her son American Pharoah’s 2015 Kentucky Derby win (2:03.02 for 1 1/4 miles) highlights her impact. American Pharoah’s success at 1 1/4 miles and beyond bodes well for Luxor Cafe’s Derby chances .
• Maternal Line (Mary’s Follies): More Than Ready, by Southern Halo, offers versatility—his fourth in the 2000 Kentucky Derby and siring winners on both dirt and turf (e.g., Cafe Pharoah and Regal Glory) suggest Luxor Cafe can adapt to Churchill Downs’ dirt. Catch The Queen, by Miswaki, contributes speed—Miswaki sired sprint champions like Black Tie Affair, and her influence supports Luxor Cafe’s strong closing fractions, like his :35.1 final sectional in the Hyacinth Stakes.
• Pedigree Fit for the Derby: Luxor Cafe’s pedigree is tailor-made for the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance. American Pharoah’s Triple Crown success and Pioneer of the Nile’s classic-distance ability ensure stamina, while More Than Ready’s versatility and Catch The Queen’s speed give Luxor Cafe the balance to handle a fast-paced Derby field. His Fukuryu Stakes win at 1 1/8 miles (1:52.10) shows he can carry his speed, though his lack of U.S. experience and handling of a 20-horse field remain questions.

Luxor Cafe’s Race Record