(10th Dec 24)

Liberty Island and Soul Rush finished 2nd in the Cup and the Mile in the LONGINES Hong Kong Internat

The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races were held at Sha Tin racecourse on December 8, with nine Japanese horses participating. However none managed to claim a title.
The 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal session graduate Satono Reve, the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint(1200m) runner, finished good 3rd under Joao Moreira. “He ran a fantastic race. He only lost to two very good horses who were at home. He finished strong but it just wasn’t enough. I’m happy with the way he ran today,” said Moreira. Satono Reve is bred by Shirai Bokujo and owned by Hajime Satomi.
In the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m), Stellenbosch finished good 3rd while the Pradaria came in 11th. In the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), other Japanese horses Toshin Macau in 9th and Lugal in 11th. The G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) saw Soul Rush achieve 2nd place, while Jantar Mantar was unable to finish in the top three for the first time in 7 career starts and finished 13th. In the G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Liberty Island finished as the runner-up, with Tastiera close behind in 3rd.

With the conclusion of the Hong Kong International Races, the overseas Grade 1 campaign for Japanese horses has come to an end in 2024. This marks the first time in six years that Japan has failed to secure a victory in an overseas Grade 1 race.

(4th Dec 24)

Capable Japanese horses bid to take the titles in the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races

The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are perfectly placed in the Japanese racing calendar, so a number of Japanese connections always target this competition as their favorite way to end of the year. This year, a total of nine Japanese horses will compete across four Grade 1 races. Expectations are high for a strong comeback this year, especially given that no Japanese horse managed to secure a victory in any of the races last year.
Satono Reve who was purchased at 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session for 54,000,000yen would run the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), joining other Japanese team-the G1 Sprinters Stakes winner Lugal and Toshin Macau who was 2nd to Lugal in the Sprinters Stakes. Trained by Noriyuki Hori, the 5-year-old horse by Lord Kanaloa, Satono Reve has shown consistency over 1200m and 1400m in his 10 career starts, with 7 wins and 1 second. He unleashed his power to land his first group race success in the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) in June and also showed the remarkable stretch run in the following G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) in August before placed in seventh in the G1 Sprinters Stakes. The three will face the Hong Kong local star Ka Ying Rising who clinched the easy win in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) with a track record setting time and contenders from United Kingdom, America and Australia.

A 3-year-old filly by Epiphaneia and the Japanese 1000 Guineas winner Stellenbosch and the two-time G2 winner Pradaria (5-year-old by Deep Impact) will run the Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

In the Hong Kong Mile, Japan will be represented by Soul Rush (6-year-old horse by Rulership), who achieved a long-awaited Grade 1 victory in the Mile Championship, and Jantar Mantar (3-year-old colt by Palace Malice ), who is making his first appearance since winning the NHK Mile Cup. Soul Rush, with the highest rating in the field and the experience of a 4th-place finish in this race last year, is expected to contend strongly for second straight G1 win. Jantar Mantar, on the other hand, skipped his return in the G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m, tutf) in October but has been carefully prepared for this race.

In the Hong Kong Cup, Tastiera (4-year-old colt by Satono Crown), who recently showed a strong performance with a runner-up finish in the Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m), and Liberty Island (4-year-old filly by Duramente), who finished disappointing in the same race, will take on the challenge of the Hong Kong International Races.
For Tastiera, this marks his first overseas race, but his sire, Satono Crown, won the Hong Kong Vase in 2016, raising hopes that father and son could both claim international victories. On the other hand, Liberty Island, embarking on her second overseas trip after placing third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m, turf) earlier this year, is expected to bounce back from the well-beaten in the Tenno Sho Autumn. However, the standout competitor in the field is this year’s G1 Yasuda Kinen winner Romantic Warrior (6-year-old). Known as a specialist at this distance on home turf, Romantic Warrior returned from a 5.1/2-month layoff with an effortless victory in his most recent race. With James McDonald, crowned theLONGINES world’s best jockey, in the saddle, he is undoubtedly positioned as the top contender to claim the title.

(5th Nov 24)

Breeders’ Cap still demonstrated the high caliber of Japanese horses

Forever Young showcased his ability to rank among the top three dirt horses in the world. The Breeders' Cup, the pinnacle of American horse racing, was held on Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd (local time) at Del Mar Racetrack in California on the U.S. West Coast. In the main event, the BC Classic, a championship race on dirt over 2,000 meters, three Japanese horses-a 7-year-old Uhba Tesoro, a 4-year-old Derma Sotogake, and a 3-year-old Forever Young competed against the top three-year-olds and older U.S. horses. The race also attracted the 3-year-old European colt City of Troy, a four-time Group 1 winner including this year's Epsom Derby.
Among the Japanese entries, Forever Young achieved the best result, finishing third. Breaking from the innermost stall (Gate 1), traditionally considered a disadvantage at this course, the colt stayed close to the leaders in third place along the rail. Although he briefly fell behind in the final stretch, he showed determination in the closing strides to narrow the gap, finishing three lengths behind the winner, Sierra Leone.
"Compared to the Kentucky Derby, he was much calmer and composed this time, and his condition was outstanding. It’s very disappointing not to win, but I think he gave his best effort," commented jockey Ryusei Sakai. "We’ll work together to improve so we can beat those top two horses next time," said jockey Sakai.
Sierra Leone, the winner of the race, has the same family line as Forever Young, as their second dam is Darling My Darling.
Ushba Tesoro, ridden by Yuga Kawada, finished 10th, failing to unleash his signature late speed. Meanwhile, Christophe Lemaire piloted Derma Sotogake to set the pace, but the colt faded just before the home stretch and ended up in 13th place. All of the three runners in the race are JRHA Select Sale graduates.
Another JRHA Select Sale graduate Don Frankie, a 5-year-old horse run the BC Sprint (1200m) but struggled to keep up with the pace and finished ninth.
The 2025 Breeders' Cup is scheduled to return to Del Mar. With its shorter travel distance compared to East Coast venues, another large contingent of Japanese horses is likely. Next year, hopes will be higher for victories in this event.

(29th Oct 24)

19 Japanese runners will compete in 10 G1 races in the Breeders’ Cup

On November 1st and November 2nd (local time), the Breeders' Cup will take place at Del Mar Racetrack in the United States. This year, a total of 19 Japanese horses are scheduled to participate in 10 races. On Saturday, November 2 (local time), wagers will be available in Japan for four races: the BC Turf, BC Classic, BC Filly & Mare Turf, and BC Mile. The first day of the Breeders’ Cup features five graded stakes for two-year-olds, with Japanese horses entered in four of them.
On the second day, four JRHA Select Sale gradutes will run in two races. In the BC Sprint, the 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session graduate Don Frankie (by Daiwa Major) is taking on the challenge. The BC Classic will see the trio of the JRHA Select Sale graduates-Forever Young, Ushba Tesoro, and Derma Sotogake aiming to achieve the long-awaited milestone for Japanese racing.
Forever Young, who was purchased at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale Yearling session, is trained by Yoshito Yahagi and has finished brave 3rd in the Kentucky Derby following the fifth straight win in Saudi Arabia and UAE. The 7-year-old horse by Orfevre, Ushba Tesoro, the 2017 JRHA Select Sale Foal session graduate is a proven dirt horse, with winning the 2023 Dubai World Cup win and the 2024 Saudi Derby and the Dubai World Cup runner-ups. Sold at 2021 JRHASelect Sale Yearling session, Derma Sotogake, a 4-year-old colt by Mind Your Biscuits, will make revenge from last year’s 2nd finish in the race.

(3rd Apr 24)

JRHA graduate FOREVER YOUNG scored sole victory for team Japan on the DWC night

A total of 22 Japanese horses were running in seven races at Meydan on March 30th. JRHA Select Sale had 10 graduates in six events and they were unable to bear the flags in all but one. In the day’s third race, G2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m, turf), the 2017 Select Sale Foal Session graduate Iron Barows traveled from good spot but finished eighth in the field of 15 over the 3200m-trip.

In the day’s fifth race, G2 UAE Derby (1900m, dirt), Japan’s 3-year-old hope Forever Young showed his talent and succeeded to be undefeated in all five career starts. The 2022 Select Sale Yearling Session graduate grabbed the entry spot for the G1 Kentucky Derby. Forever Young’s victory gave trainer Yoshito Yahagi’s emotional tribute to his father and mentor Kazuto Yahagi who had passed away back in Japan just a few hours before the race. Yahagi also said Forever Young would head to America after Dubai.
Another runner from JRHA Select Sale, Ballon d’Or, who was purchased at 2021 Foal Session, with Norihiro Yokoyama on board finished sixth.

The next race was the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt), and the 2019 Select Sale Foal Session graduate Don Frankie topped the four Japanese runners in the 14-field, with finishing a runner-up to the local-based Tuz .

The day’s seventh race, the G1 Dubai Turf had four runners from Japan, and two of them were the Select Sale graduates. Danon Beluga, who was purchased at 2019 Foal Session for 160,000,000yen, did not begin that well and took a little while to hit the top speed and finished fourth. While another sale’s graduate in the field of the race Matenro Sky, the 2019 Foal Session graduate, finished 15th.

Contested with 12 horses in the following G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Justin Palace from the Japan’s stellar quartet has been named for the Select Sale graduate in 2019 Yearling Session. With jockey Joao Moreira on board, last year’s Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) winner finished off well fourth.

The day’s feature race, the G1 Dubai World Cup saw the absolutely stunning the front-running winner, Laurel River (USA), but Japan’s four horses finished in the top six of 12-field. The reigning champion Ushba Tesoro was unable to defend the title but finished brave 2nd to the winner, and that made him exceed the champion Equinox for earnings. The connections mentioned that the 7-year-old Orfevre son would return to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar this year again. He is a 2017 Foal Session graduate.

Trainer Manabu Ikezoe’s 4-year-old Dura Erede, the 2021 Yearling Session graduate, has run on both dirt and turf in 13 starts so far. Third in the G1 Champions Cup (1800m, dirt) last year, Dura Erede crossed the line in fifth place under Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.

Another Select Sale graduate, Derma Sotogake from 2021 Yearling Session saw an inauspicious beginning when he was unruly in the gate and was not able to take the lead like how he won the UAE Derby last year. Also due to the intended rider of Derma Sotogake, Christophe Lemaire being stood down, Oishin Murphy partnered the horse for the first time. Derma Sotogake finished sixth.

(28th Mar 24)

22 Japanese hopes have accepted the invitations to the Dubai World Cup meetings

21 horses from JRA and 1 horse from NAR have arrived Dubai and will run in seven international races at Meydan on the Dubai World Cup day. Japan Racing Association is going to conduct simulcasting of the four races-G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, G1 Dubai Turf, G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and the G1 Dubai World Cup.

10 horses among the team are the graduates of Japan Racing Horse Association and will compete in the following six races.

<G2 Dubai Gold Cup, 3200m Turf>
The 2017 Select Sale Foal Session graduate Iron Barows, the 2023 G2 Stayers Stakes winner, finished disappointing 12th in the G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000m, turf) at King Abdulaziz in February latest.

<UAE Derby, 1900m Dirt>
Susumu Fujita’s Yoshito Yahagi-trained colt proved his star prospect as he won the G3 Saudi Derby (1600m) at King Abdulaziz in style last month. Sold at the 2022 Select Sale Yearling Session, Forever Young seeks his fifth straight win since debut and an entry spot for the G1 Kentucky Derby.

Mikio Matsunaga trained Ballon d’Or, a 2021 Select Sale Foal Session graduate, hopes to take his first group race success on Saturday. A two-time winner in six career starts finished sixth in Hyacinth Stakes (1600m, dirt), the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, in February last time.

<Golden Shaheen, 1200m, Dirt>
A proven dirt sprinter Don Frankie has finished on the board in 12 out of 15 starts. Sold at the 2019 Select Sale Foal Session, the 5-year-old son of Daiwa Major emerged his talent last term as he took four wins including the G3 Procyon Stakes (1400m, dirt) and the local G2 Tokyo Hai (1200m, dirt) in October. His first appearance this term was the G1 February Stakes (1600m, dirt) and finished ninth last time.

<Dubai Turf, 1800m, Turf>
The 2019 Select Sale Foal Session graduate and the 5-year-old Danon Beluga has returned to Meydan to fly flag in the Dubai Turf. Finished third to Equinox in the 2022 G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m, turf), he showed his impressive closing speed and ran brave 2nd in this race last year. He rounded off the last term with a sixth-place in the G1 Japan Cup (2400m, turf) last time.

Matenro Sky, a 5-year-old gelding and the 2019 Select Sale Foal Session graduate, keeps good form. Has shown a consistency, finishing in top three in 13 from 17 career runs, the son of Maurice finished 5th in the G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) in February and overcame the rain affected track for his first group race success in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) last time.

<Dubai Sheema Classic, 2400m, Turf>
Sold at 2019 Select Sale Yearling Session for 190,000,000yen, Justin Palace emerged his talent last term. He claimed the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m, turf) for his first G1 success in June and ran 3rd and 2nd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m, turf) and the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn( (2000m, turf) respectively. Joao Moreira has been booked to ride.

<Dubai World Cup, 2000m Dirt>
All the three Japanese contenders for this year’s US $12,000,000 feature race are the JRHA Select Sale graduates. Ushba Tesoro, the 2017 Select Sale Foal Session graduate, has been under spotlight after he was converted to dirt surface at five. The reigning Dubai World Cup was beaten by a head behind Senor Buscador in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in February last time. If he wins this year’s Dubai World Cup, he will become the highest-earning Japanese racehorse, which is currently held by Equinox.

The 2021 Select Sale Yearling Session graduate and the world traveler Derma Sotogake is aiming at his first overseas G1 success. Last year’s G2 UAE Derby winner finished sixth in the G1 Kentucky Derby and finished 2nd to White Abbario in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m, dirt) in November. He started off this term in Saudi Arabia and finished 5th in the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) latest.

A 4-year-old Dura Erede, the 2021 Select Sale Yearling Session graduate, has had ixed forms on both turf and dirt. He seemed to like the Meydan surface as he finished 2nd in the G2 UAE Derby (1900m, dirt) last year. He was back to turf after he returned to Japan but showed little in two starts. He showed upward curve and ran 3rd in the G1 Champions Cup (1800m, dirt) and the local G1 Tokyo Daishoten (2000m, dirt) at NAR-Oi in December respectively. Did poorly when 12th in the G1 February Stakes (1600m, dirt) last time.

(28th Feb 24)

The Saudi Cup Day-Two winners from team Japan in six international races

21 horses, the Japan’s largest contingent ever to the Saudi Cup Day, ran in six international races at King Abdulaziz racecourse on February 24th. Japan scored two wins- in the US $1.5M G3 Saudi Derby (1600m, dirt) won by Forever Young (by Real Steel) and the following US$1.5M G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m, dirt) won by Remake (by Lani)
The 2021 Select Sale Foal Session graduate and bred by Northern Farm, the Susumu Fujita owned Forever Young had a slow start and traveled from mid-pack. Jockey Ryusei Sakai guided him wide out to escape from kick-back, and the 3-year-old colt trained by Yoshito Yahagi found another top gear to seize the lead in the final strides to held off Book Em’ Danno (USA) by a head. Forever Young became the first Japanese winner of the day and remained unbeaten in four starts. According to trainer Yahagi, the colt will head to Dubai for the UAE Derby (1900m, dirt) and then aim at the G1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Aguri, a 5--year-old horse by Caravaggio, had his second overseas travel in career, following last year’s G1 Chairman’s Spring Prize (1200m, turf) at Sha Tin, and ran in the US$2M G2 1351 Turf Sprint (1351m, turf), piloted by Christophe Lemaire. The 2020 Select Sale Yearling Session graduate and bred by Northern Farm, the Masahiro Miki owned horse raced in the mid-pack but finished sixth to Anaaf (IRE).

The 2017 Select Sale Foal Session graduate and bred by Northern Farm, the Hirotsugu Inokuma owned the 7-year-old Iron Barows (by Orfevre) was one of the four runners fielded by Japanese in the US$2.5M G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap (3000m, turf) and finished 12th.

In the feature race of the day, US$20M G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt), two of the four Japanese runners were JRHA Select Sale graduates, -last year’s G1 Dubai World Cup reigning horse Ushba Tesoro (by Orfevre) and the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake (by Mind Your Biscuits). The American trainee Senor Buscador (USA) prevailed in the photo-finish, holding off the late Japanese hope Ushba Tesoro and with Yuga Kawada on board in the last couple of strides for his first G1 success. The 2017 Select Sale Foal session graduate and bred by Chiyoda Farm, the Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co., Ltd owned Ushba Tesoro aims to defend the Dubai World Cup title next.
One of the other Japan’s hopes in the Saudi Cup and the 2021 Select Sale Yearling Session graduate and bred by Shadai Farm, the Hiroyuki Asanuma owned 4-year-old Derma Sotogake had his first race up since last fall and finished fifth under Christophe Lemaire.

(23rd Feb 24)

Japan aiming higher with The Saudi Cup meetings

21 Japan-trained horses will be running this year’s The Saudi Cup meetings in six races at King Abdulaziz racecourse on coming Saturday. This year, Japanese racing fans can bet on the G1 Saudi Cup on JRA tote system.
Last year, trainer Yoshito Yahagi trained Pantharassa had an emotional wire-to-wire victory in the feature race of the day, US$20M the G1 Saudi Cup. Four runners will be field in the feature race this year-last year’s G1 Dubai World Cup winning horse Ushba Tesoro, Japan’s dirt champion horse Lemon Pop, the well-world traveler Crown Pride and the last year’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake.

The 7-year-old horse Ushba Tesoro by Orfevre is a 2017 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session graduate. Bred by Chiyoda Farm and owned by Ryotokuji Kenji Holdings Co., Ltd, the Noboru Takagi trained horse had a piece of steady gallop on the dirt track with jockey Yuga Kawada on board on Wednesday. Trainer Takagi and jockey Kawada are both pleased with how he was in the gallop over the course, which seems to be heavier and tougher than last year. Ushba Tesoro will start from gate 11. Takagi said about the draw, “He usually settles back, so the draw is not a big concern.”

The 4-year-old Derma Sotogake by Mind Your Biscuits is a 2021 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session graduate. Bred by Shadai Farm and owned by Hiroyuki Asanuma, the Hidetaka Otonashi trained colt has had a good preparation for the race. With having a minor issue with his hoof after the Breeders’ Cup, Derma Sotogake will start for the first time in more than three months. The draw reaction from the connection (No.13) was not a pessimistic.

The 5-year-old horse by Caravaggio and the 2020 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session graduate Aguri is to run the G2 1351 Turf Sprit. The G3 and the multiple grade race placed horse started off the term with a 2nd place in the 1200m-G3 Silk Road Stakes in January. As Trainer Takayuki Yasuda will retire on March 5th, Aguri will be the last overseas traveler for the handler. Christophe Lemaire is going to ride.

The 2017 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session graduate Iron Barows has been traveled to overseas for the first time in his career and runs the G3 Red Seas Turf (3000m). The Hiroyuki Uemura trained 7-year-old horse grabbed the long awaited first group race success in the G2 Stayers stakes (3600m) last December before he showed little in the G1 Arima Kinen last time. Christian Demuro will be on board.

The very promising 3-year-old colt Forever Young should be the one to focus. Trained by the legend Yoshito Yahagi, the Real Steel sired colt is a 2022 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session. Susumu Fujita-owned colt remains unbeaten in three starts since debut. In his last start, local G1 Zennihon Nisai Yushun (1600m, dirt) at NAR-Kawasaki, he won by outstanding seven lengths. With his regular rider Ryusei Sakai on board, Forever Young prepares well for Saturday’s G3 Saudi Derby (1600m, dirt), and according to Yahagi, he is heading to Dubai for the G2 UAE Derby next to get the points for the G1 Kentucky Derby.

(*Meisho Hario has been withdrawn from the G1 Saudi Cup)