(13th Dec 22)
Japan still stunning in the global stage
With one of the Japanese 14 contenders in the 2022 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, Salios having been withdrawn from the G1 Hong Kong Mile, 13 runners contested in the four world highest races at Sha Tin on Sunday. First up, in the Hong Kong Vase (2400m), the 5-year-old mare Win Marilyn marked her first G1 success in her career, as well as her trainer Takahisa Tezuka and jockey Damian Lane winning their first G1 in Hong Kong. The 2016 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session graduate and the two-time champion of the race in 2019 and 2021, Glory Vase showed his best and his condition was as good as it could be. He ran well 3rd under Joao Moreira who finished his riding engagement in Hong Kong on that day.
Next up, in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), the 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session graduate and the multiple group race winner in Japan Meikei Yell, with James McDonald on board, broke from the wide 13 draw and progressed her position when turning for home, and she placed 5th. The other three Japanese contenders in the sprint race Naran Huleg, Gendarme and Resistencia finished below par.
In the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, which the upcoming 4-year-old Hong Kong based California Spangle denied the nation’s champion Golden Sixty, Japan’s 3-year-old Danon Scorpion under William Buick finished 6th, while a 4-year-old Schnell Meister finished 9th.
Another JRHA Select Sale contender in the line-up for the Japanese raiders in the G1 Hong Kong Cup-Danon the Kid, who was bought at 2018 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session, targeted the Japan’s fourth win in a row and stayed on willingly to fare best of the Japanese quintet in second. A 3-year-old Geoglyph came home a creditable sixth, and Jack d’Or and Panthalassa were well held in seventh and tenth respectively.
(9th Dec 22)
The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is the Japan’s favorite way to end the year
In this past three years, Japanese has showcased their mark on the global racing stages even under the pandemic. 14 Japanese thoroughbreds have been traveled to Hong Kong for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races coming on Sunday. Three of them are the greatest graduates of JRHA Select Sale.
Trainer Takayuki Yasuda trained Danon the Kid, a 4-year-old colt by Just A Way, is going to run the Hong Kong Cup(2000m). Bought at 2018 Foal Session for 100,000,000yen by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co Ltd, Danon the Kid has not tasted any success since he won the G1 Hopeful Stakes(2000m) in 2020 but showed the upward curve in the last three starts, running well 2nd in the G1 Mile Championship(1600m) last time. There will be three other Japanese runners in the Cup-including this year’s Dubai Turf(1800m) winner Panthalassa, the 2000m-G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Geoglyph and the winner of the 2021 G1 Osaka Hai(2000m), Lei Papale.
The two-time champ in 2019 and 2021 in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, Glory Vase will make his final career start before he begins the breeding season next year. The graduate for the 2016 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session campaigned to Dubai and finished eighth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classi(2410m) in March and sixth in the G2 Sapporo Kinen(2000m) in August. The Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira is booked on the horse and will guide him to the another glory. The G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) runner-up Win Marilyn, a 5-year-old mare, also runs for Japan.
The six-time winner in group races, Meikei Yell, a 4-year-old filly by Mikki Isle, has been paired with James McDonald who replaced an injured Kenichi Ikezoe in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). Showed improvement this season when winning three group races, she placed disappointing 14th to Gendarme who also competes in the Sprint in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m) latest. This year’s G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen(1200m) winner Naran Huleg and the runner-up in the Hong Kong Sprint 2021 Resistencia will be loaded into the gate as well. Meikei Yell was bought at 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal Sssion for 26,000,000yen.
The line-up from Japan for the 2022 Hong Kong International Races is as follows
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase
Glory Vase 7-year-old, horse by Deep Impact
Win Marilyn 5-year-old, mare by Screen Hero
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
Gendarme 7-year-old, horse by Kitten’s Joy
Meikei Yell 4-year-old, filly by Mikki Isle
Naran Huleg 6-year-old, horse by Gold Allure
Resistencia 5-year-old, mare by Daiwa Major
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
Salios 5-year-old, horse by Heart’s Cry
Schnell Meister 4-year-old, colt by Kingman
Danon Scorpion 3-year-old, colt by Lord Kanaloa
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
Panthalassa 5-year-old, horse by Lord Kanaloa
Jack d’Or 4-year-old, colt by Maurice
Danon the Kid 4-year-old, colt by Just A Way
Geoglyph 3-year-old, colt by Drefong
Lei Papale 5-year-old, mare by Deep Impact
(4th Oct 22)
Japan’s challenge for the Arc still goes on
Four Japanese hopes were sent to France for this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe including the Japan Racing Horse Association’s Select Sale graduate Titleholder, however, that group’s long-awaited first Arc triumph was faded away in the Longchamp wet turf.
Titleholder, who was bred by Okada Stud and a son of Duramente, set a good pace under Kazuo Yokoyama through pouring rain, but as he was tired and retreated with 400meters mark, other three Japanese runners-Do Deuce (Heart’s Cry), Stay Foolish (Stay Gold) and Deep Bond (Kizuna) struggled to race comfortably over the rain affected track.
Titleholder finished 11th, 13-length behind the winner Alpinista, Stay Foolish finished 14th, Deep Bond finished 18th and Do Deuce finished 19th.
Titleholder was purchased at 2018 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session by Hiroshi Yamada for 20,000,000yen, US$180,181. The 4-year-old colt scored his first Group 1 win in the Kikuka Sho, the Japanese St. Leger, over 3000m when he made all the way for 5-length win in 2021. In 2022, he won the 3200m-G1/Emperor’s Cup by 7 lengths in May before winning the G1/Takarazuka Kinen in June even dropping down the distance to 2200m. According to the owner and breeder, Titleholder will target the G1/Arima Kinen (2500m) on December 25th for next.
(27th Sep 22)
The biggest and strongest Japanese delegation at Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
Japan sends the biggest and strongest delegation ever to France for the 101th running of G1/Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 2nd.
Among four Japanese representatives in €５ million race, flag bearer for Japan is Titleholder(JPN), four-year-old colt by Duramente(JPN). who holds official rating of 124, the highest in 20 runners.
Titleholder, bred by Makio Okada of Okada Stud, won G1/Emperor’s Cup Spring at Hanshin on May 1st by seven lengths, and G1/Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin on June 26th by two lengths, breaking track record.
Titleholder was bought at foal session of JRHA Select Sale in 2018 by Hiroshi Yamada for 20,000,000yen, US$180,181.
Do Deuce(JPN), three-year-old colt by Heart’s Cry, who won G1/Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, at Tokyo on May 29th, Stay Foolish(JPN), seven-year-old horse by Stay Gold(JPN), who won G3/Red Sea Turf Handicap at Riyadh on February 26th and Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on March 26th, and Deep Bond(JPN), five-year-old horse by Kizuna(JPN), who finished fourth to Titleholder in G1/Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin on June 26th, join Titleholder in G1/Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
(29th Mar 22)
Japan was unstoppable in Dubai World Cup 2022!
It has been only a month since the fantastic news has come across the Japan islands for four Japanese trained horses winning the races at the Saudi Cup meetings, and it was a thrilled night again at Meydan racecourse on Saturday 26th of March, as 5 Japanese horses dominated the races on global stages in this year’s Dubai World Cup. 22 horses, the biggest contingent ever, have traveled to Dubai including 2 JRHA Select Sale graduates- Glory Vase (by Deep Impact) and Stella Veloce (by Bago), both for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m, turf)
Japan gets on a flyer with Bathrat Leon (JPN, by Kizuna) winning the G2 Godolphin Mile which was his only second start on dirt from 14 runs. Another big run was coming quickly when the G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap winner Stay Foolish (JPN, by Stay Gold) fired fiercely in the last strides to claim the G2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m, turf).
Japan did not stop winning on that night. The Australian Damian Lane riding Crown Pride (JPN, by Reach the Crown) won the following G2 UAE Derby (1900m, dirt) for the proven trainer Koichi Shitani who opened his training yard in 2020, and then, the dead-heat victory between the strong front runner Panthalassa (JPN, by Lord Kanaloa) and the defending champion Godolphin’s Lord North (IRE, by Dubawi) in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m), while Japan’s Vin de Garde (JPN, by Deep Impact) stormed home with a remarkable charge and almost join the pair on the line. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi of Panthalassa secured his hat-trick victory on that day.
The fifth victory came to the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, won by the last year’s Japanese Derby winner Shahryar (JPN, by Deep Impact), giving his trainer Hideaki Fujiwara first overseas Group 1 title.
The 2016 Select Yearling Sale graduate Glory Vase finished 8th, ridden by Christophe Soumillon in the race. The 7-year-old horse ran the first time since taking the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Vase and was really in good shape, but the slow pace did not suit him. The 2018 Select Foal Sale graduate Stella Veloce, who was third in the first two of the Japanese classic races last year, was not quiet in the gate and also struggled amid the slow pace to finish in ninth place under Mirco Demuro.
DUBAI WORLD CUP (G1, 2,000m Dirt, US$12 million)
CHUWA WIZARD : 3rd
DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (G1, 2,410m Turf, US$6 million)
SHAHRYAR : 1st
AUTHORITY : 3rd
UBERLEBEN : 5th
GLORY VASE : 8th
STELLA VELOCE : 9th
DUBAI TURF (G1, 1,800m Turf, US$5 million)
PANTHALASSA : 1st (Dead heat: Lord North)
VIN DE GARDE : 3rd
SCHNELL MEISTER : 8th
DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (G1, 1,200m Dirt, US$2 million)
RED LE ZELE : 2nd
CHAIN OF LOVE : 4th
UAE DERBY (G2, 1,900m Dirt, US$1 million)
CROWN PRIDE : 1st
REIWA HOMARE : 6th
SEKIFU : 8th
COMBUSTION : 11th
AL QUOZ SPRINT (G1, 1,200m Turf, US$1.5 million)
LAUDA SION : 9th
ENTSCHEIDEN : 12th
DUBAI GOLD CUP (G2, 3,200m Turf, US$1 million)
STAY FOOLISH: 1st
VELOCE ORO: 7th
GODOLPHIN MILE (G2, 1,600m Dirt, US$1 million)
BATHRAT LEON: 1st
SOLISTE THUNDER: 4th
FULL FLAT : 14th
(23rd Mar 22)
GLORY VASE and STELLA VELOCE continuing international journey for Japan Racing Horse Association
Dubai Racing Club will host one of the biggest world’s race meetings-Dubai World Cup- at Meydan racecourse on March 26th. After calling off the 2020 event and the behind-closed-doors races in 2021, the Dubai World Cup will be back-to-normal on stage this year. It has been only a month since the four Japanese horses had the incredible achievements in Saudi Arabia, but there will be more chances to add the glories on the global stage this coming Saturday, as 22 horses-the biggest Japanese delegation ever-have been sent to the Middle East this time.
Among them, two horses-Glory Vase (JPN) and Stella Veloce (JPN)- are the JRHA Select Sale graduates. The 7-year-old veteran Glory Vase, sired by Deep Impact, from the 2016 Select Yearling Sale will be running in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and looks one of the horses to beat. The consistent horse never missed finishing on board in the latest six runs since winning the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October 2020. Won the 2019 G1 Hong Kong Vase for his first overseas triumph, the Tomohito Ozeki trainee finished runner-up to Loves Only You (JPN) in the G1 QEII Cup at Sha Tin last April and returned to Hong Kong to claim the G1 Hong Kong Vase again in December last out.
The twice classic placed Stella Veloce, the 2018 Select Foal session graduate, will also compete in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. The highly talented Naosuke Sugai trained colt placed 4th in the G1 Kikuka Sho, Japanese St. Leger over 3000m before finishing 0.3 seconds fourth in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) last December. With three wins, two seconds and two thirds from 10 career runs, he has yet to win a G1 and is one of their hopes on Saturday. This year, they are expected to have 5 Japanese runners in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Other expected Japanese runners on the day-
●Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt)
Chuwa Wizard (JPN)
●Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m, turf)
Authority (JPN)
Glory Vase(JPN)
Shahryar(JPN)
Stella Veloce(JPN)
Uberleben(JPN)
●Dubai Turf (1800m, turf)
Panthalassa(JPN)
Schnell Meister(GER)
Vin de Garde(JPN)
●Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt)
Red Le Zele(JPN)
Chain Of Love(JPN)
●UAE Derby (1900m, dirt)
Combustion(JPN)
Crown Pride(JPN)
Reiwa Homare(JPN)
Sekifu(JPN)
●Al Quoz Sprint (1200m, turf)
Entscheiden(JPN)
Lauda Sion(JPN)
●Dubai Gold Cup (3200m, turf)
Stay Foolish(JPN)
Veloce Oro(JPN)
●Godolphin Mile (1600m, dirt)
Bathrat Leon(JPN)
Full Flat(USA)
Soliste Thunder(JPN)
(2nd Mar 22)
Fantastic Four for Japan and Christophe Lemaire!
The word’s most valuable races-The Saudi Cup race meetings were taken place at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, KSA on Saturday, February 26th. The large contingent from Japan including 12 horses contested against the top-class horses from all over the world, and Japan claimed four races which were all ridden by Christophe Lemaire.
The 5-year-old son of Orfevre and trained by Tetsuya Kimura, Authority (JPN) started off the night in a brilliant wire-to-wire winning style in the G3 Neom Turf Cup (2100m, turf), followed by the 4-year-old Kizuna sired Songline (JPN), who is trained by Toru Hayashi, winning the G3 1351 Turf Sprint (1351m, turf) after the steady rally for the last 200m. In the third race-G3 Red Sea Handicap over 3000meters turf, the Eclipse winning horse handler Yoshito Yahagi’s Stay Foolish (JPN) conquered the race, making all the way to the line, by 4.1/2 lengths and gave Lemaire hat-trick victory.
Japan’s domination still continued in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint when the 6-year-old son of Pas des Trois, Dansing Prince, ridden by Christophe Lemaire again, maintained the safety margin in the stretch and pulled away to win by 5.3/4 lengths for his trainer Keisuke Miyata’s first overseas glory.
In the world’s richest race, US $20 million G1 Saudi Cup, the 2021 JRA champion dirt horse T O Keyens (JPN) and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff winning mare Marche Lorraine (JPN) were representing Japan. A 6-year-old daughter of Orfevre, Marche Lorraine who lost a little of her weight after the long travel from Japan to Saudi Arabia but had been conditioned well into the race and finished 6th in her final career start. The 5-year-old Daisuke Takayanagi trained T O Keyens (by Sinister Minister) already under pressure at the final turn and finished eighth.
The results of the other Japanese horses are
Laudasion (JPN)-5-year-old horse by Real Impact finished 4th in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint.
Entscheiden (JPN)-7-year-old horse by Deep Impact finished 12th in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint.
Sekifu (JPN)-3-year-old horse by Henny Hughes finished 2nd in the G3 Saudi Derby.
Consigliere (JPN)-3-year-old horse by Drefong finished 3rd in the G3 Saudi Derby.
Chain of Love (JPN)-5-year-old mare by Heart’s Cry finished 3rd in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
Copano Kicking (USA)-7-year-old gelding by Spring At Last finished 4th in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
