(10th Dec 12)

Japan, 1 Gold medal and 1 Silver medal at Hong Kong

Japanese-bred and Japanese-trained horses collected 1 Gold medal and 1 Silver medal in the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on December 9th.
Jaguar Mail(JPN), 8-y-o Horse by Jungle Pocket, ran bravely in G1/Hong Kong Vase, the opening race of four international races, and finished second to British challenger Red Cadeaux, 6-y-o gelding,
beaten only by short head. Jaguar Mail, trained by Noriyuki Hori, had run this race three times before, and finished 3rd in 2008, 4th in 2009, and 4th again in 2010. Hence, it is Jaguar Mail's best performance in Hong Kong. Jaguar Mail, out of Hayabeni Komachi by Sunday Silence, is bred by Aioi Farm at Urakawa. He has won 6 races, including the G1/Emperor's Cup in 2010, from 30 starts, and earned 444,379,000yen in Japan and HK$6,300,000 in Hong Kong for Kazumi Yoshida.
Past running of G1/Hong Kong Sprint was dominated by locally-trained horses, which won 10 out of 13 years in the history of race. However, Japan has finally claimed its first Hong Kong Sprint as Lord Kanaloa(JPN), 4-y-o colt by King Kamehameha, captured it in devastating fashion. Ridden by Yasunari Iwata, Lord Kanaloa was settled at the position behind front runners and delivered impressive challenge on homestretch to win by two and half lengths. Lord Kanaloa, out of Lady Blossom, is bred by Isami Nakamura's K.I.Farm at Mitsuihsi and has been running for Lord Horse Club, run by Tomoyuki Nakamura, son of breeder. This is the 8th win for Lord Kanaloa from 13 starts, and he has won 308,166,000yen in Japan in addition to HK$855,000 in Hong Kong.
Another Japanese challenger in Hong Kong Sprint, Curren Chan(JPN), 5-y-o mare by Kurofune, was hampered badly by Admiration immediately after the break and finished 7th unluckily.
And Sadamu Patek(JPN), 4-y-o Colt by Fuji Kiseki, and Grand Prix Boss(JPN), 4-y-o Colt by Sakura Bakushin O, could not manage to finish in frame in G1/Hong Kong Mile.
2012 is fruitful year for Japanese-trained horses in international races, as Rulership(JPN), 5-y-o Horse by King Kamehameha, won G1/Queen Elizabeth2 Cup at Sha Tin in April, and Orfevre(JPN), 4-y-o Colt by Stay Gold, won G2/Prix Foy at Longchamp in September.
Please do not miss the opportunity to buy the cream of Japanese-bred horses, including colts and fillies by King Kamehameha, sire of Rulership and Lord Kanaloa at JRHA July Sale in 2013, which will be conducted July 8th and 9th at Northern Horse Park.

(4th Dec 12)

Three JRHA graduates represent Japan in Hong Kong International Races

Quality field, which is put together for all four international races at Sha Tin on December 9th, includes five Japanese-trained horses, which will run for the first success for Japan since Hat Trick(JPN), who won G1/Hong Kong Mile in 2005, in Hong Kong International Races, and three of them are the graduates of July Select Sale organized by Japan Racing Horse Association.

This is the second trip to Hong Kong for Curren Chan(JPN), 5-y-o mare by Kurofune, who will run G1/Hong Kong Sprint. She was fifth in the same race in 2011, after having eventful trip from Japan to Hong Kong･･･..the flight delayed for 18 hours due to mechanical trouble. The Japanese Sprint Champion in 2011 finished second to Lork Kanaloa(JPN), 4-y-o colt by King Kamehameha, another Japanese-trained runner in G1/Hong Kong Sprint, in G1/Sprinters' Stakes at Nakayama last time out. Curren Chan, bred by Shadai Farm, was bought by Takashi Suzuki at the foal session of JRHA Select Sale in 2007 for 25,000,000yen, and has earned 449,061,000yen, nearly 18 times of her purchased price.

Two Japanese representatives in G1/Hong Kong Mile are both bought at JRHA Select Sale.
Sadamu Patek, 4-y-o Colt by Fuji Kiseki, the winner of G1/Mile Championship on November 18th at Kyoto, was bought by Sadamu Onishi at the yearling session of JRHA Select Sale in 2009 for 12,000,000yen, and has earned 353,920,000yen, nearly 30 times of his purchased price.
Grand Prix Boss(JPN), 4-y-o Colt by Sakura Bakushin O, winner of G1/Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at 2 and G1/NHK Mile Cup at 3, was bought at the foal session of 2008 JRHA July Sale by Grandprix Co. Ltd. For 27,000,000yen. Grand Prix Boss, who finished second to Sadamu Patek in Mile Championship recently, has earned 401,615.000yen, nearly 15 times of his purchased price.

Jaguar Mail(JPN), 8-y-o Horse by Jungle Pocket, is solo Japanese representative in G1/Hong Kong Vase.

2013 JRHA Select Sale will be organized on July 8th and 9th at Northern Horse Park.

(26th Nov 12)

GENTILDONNA(JPN) by Deep Impact wins the 32nd running of Japan Cup

Thrilling ding-dong battle between Gentildonna(JPN), 3-y-o filly by Deep Impact(JPN), and Orfevre(JPN), 4-y-o colt by Stay Gold(JPN), was displayed at the closing stage of Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse on November 25th in front of 117,776 enthusiastic racing fans.
Immediately after Gentildonna, who achieved 3-y-o fillies' Triple Tiara in Japan in 2012, got ahead of Orfevre' who achieved 3-y-o colts' Triple Crown in Japan in 2011, by nose at the line, the stewards' inquiry was called, as it was visible that Orfevre was pushed out by Gentiledonna at a furlong pole.
Her victory was confirmed in stewards' room 23 minutes after she passed the finishing line, as stewards adjusted the move did not affected Orfevre's momentum, while Yasunari Iwata who rode Gentildonna was handed two days ban.
Gentildonna, bred by Northern Farm, has been running for Sunday Racing Club and has earned 689,530,000yen, approximately US$8.31 million so far. The connection of Gentildonna has announced the filly will be kept in training next year, and several major races in the world, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, are considered as the races for her in 2013.
The result of Japan Cup proves the superiority of Japanese-bred horses, as first seven finishers are locally-trained horses, who are all bred in Japan.
Please do not miss the JRHA Select Sale in 2013, which will offer the cream of Japanese-bred, including the colts and fillies by Deep Impact and Stay Gold.

(5th Nov 12)

TRAILBLAZER(JPN) good forth in the G1/Breeders' Cup Turf

Trailblazer(JPN), 5-y-o Horse bred by Koji Maeda's North Hills and owned by the breeder, finished fourth in the G1/Breeders' Cup Turf, beaten two and quarter lengths by the winner Little Mike at Santa Anita on November 5th. This is the best effort by Japanese-trained horses at the Breeders' Cup, being equal to Red Desire(JPN), who finished fourth in the G1/Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2010.
Trailblazer(JPN) by Zenno Rob Roy(JPN), who broke from 12th hope of 12 runners' field, took the fifth position with Yutaka Take on board. Trailblazer(JPN) made a big move at the far turn to catch the leaders, however, he was outkicked in the final furlong. The winning time, 2 minutes and 22.83 seconds is only 0.03 seconds slower than the track record. Shareta(IRE) and Treasure Beach(GB), both of whom from Europe where they have won Graded One Stakes, and Dullahan(USA) and Turbo Compressor(USA), both of whom are the Graded Stakes winners in the United States, finished behind Trailblazer(JPN).
Trailblazer(JPN), trained by Yasutoshi Ikee at Ritto Training Cener, has earned nearly US$3 million purse now.

(29th Oct 12)

TRAILBLAZER(JPN) runs for the first success in Breeders' Cup for Japan

Trailblazer(JPN), 5-y-o Horse bred by Koji Maeda's North Hills and owned by the breeder, is entered the G1/Breeders' Cup Turf over 12 furlong on turf at Santa Anita on November 3rd.
Koji Maeda, successful businessman based at Osaka and has been prominent owner/breeder in Japan for 30 years, bought Lirio, by Forty Niner out of Gioconda, at 1996 Keeneland July Sale for $200,000. Gioconda is sister to three G1 winners, Hector Protector, Shanghai and Bosra Sham.
Lirio, winner and earner of 11,030,000yen in Japan, retired at the end of three-year-old season and became broodmare at North Hills in 1999. Trailblazer by Zenno Rob Roy is Lorio's fifth foal.
Trailblazer, trained by Yasutoshi Ikee at Ritto Training Center, has collected six wins from 21 starts and earned 231,668,000yen so far. In addition to winning G2/The Copa Republica Argentina last autumn and G2/Kyoto Kinen this spring, Trailblazer finished fourth in G1/Japan Cup in 2011.
Trailblazer was shipped to the United States on September 14th and prepped in G2/Arroyo Seco Mile at Santa Anita on October 6th. Trailblazer, ridden by Yutaka Take, finished second to the favorite Obviously, beaten only by half a length. This is very encouraging performance, as it was the first start for Trailblazer since May and he has never run the race shorter than 9 furlongs.
Trailblazer is the first Japanese-owned and Japanese-trained horse to run Breeders' Cup Turf. Four Japanese-owned and Japanese-trained horses ran the Breeders' Cup Classic before, and none of them finished in first five, while Japanese filly Cesario(JPN) won G1/Amerian Oaks at Hollywood Park in 2005 comfortably.

(10th Oct 12)

ORFEVRE(JPN) narrowly beaten by French filly Solemia in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Japan's ambition to breed the Arc winner was denied again, as Orfavre(JPN) was caught by French filly Solemia at the line by neck. It was the third time as Japanese-bred and Japanese-trained horse finished second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the world championship race over mile and half on turf.
Orfevre(JPN), winner of Japan's Triple Crown in 2011 and G2/Prix Foy, one of the most important prep race for the Arc taken place at the same course and same distance as the Arc three week ago, was supported as the 7 to 2 favorite in the 18 runners' field on October 7th at Longchamp.
Orfevre(JPN), ridden by Cristophe Soumillon, broke from the 18th hole and settled well at the rear of field. Orfevre, bred by Shiraoi Farm of Shadai Corporation and carried the silk of Sunday Racing Club, handled the testing ground well and responded sharply as Soumillon asked him at the top of homestretch. As Orfevre, trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, hit the front at a furlong pole and draw clear by three lenghs, the audience at Longchamp and thousands of fans in Japan who watched the live coverage from Longchamp on YV thought Orfevre would be decisive winner, however, Solemia, the 41 to 1 shot ridden by Olivier Peslier, delivered the strongest challenge, while Orfevre veered right to the rail, and wore down Orfevre in the final strides.
"Second is not good enough" said Yasutoshi Ikee. "I need to discuss with the owner, but, if I can decide, I would like to keep him in training next year and come back here in October 2013."

(3rd Oct 12)

ORFEVRE(JPN) on course for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Orfevre(JPN), Japanese-bred 4-y-o colt by Stay Gold, has been trained well at his temporary base Chantilly, after winning G2/Prix Foy at Longchamp on September 16th, and is now ready to make history for Japan on October 7th, when he attempt to be the first Japanese-bred horse to win the G1/ Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the World Championship over mile and half on turf.
Aventino(JPN), 8-y-o horse by Jungle Pocket, travel companion for Orfevre and played key role as lead horse in Prix Foy, is also intended runner in the Arc.
Orfevre(JPN), Japan's Triple Crown winner in 2011, bred by Shiraoi Farm of Shadai Corporation and has been running for Sunday Racing Club, will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon again on Sunday,
.After some of high-profile runners ruled out of race, such as Danedream, who is prevented to travel from Cologne to Longchamp, due to the outbreak of EIA at Cologne, Snow Fairy, who got injured on her foreleg after her final piece of work for the big race, and Nathaniel, who spiked temperature, Orfevre, trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, may start as betting favorite.
It is expected thousands of Japanese fans will attend at Longchamp on this weekend, in addition to hundreds of Japanese press members.
Japanese horse finished second in the Arc twice in the past. El Condor Pasa finished second to great Montjeu in 1999 and Nakayama Festa finished second to Workforce in 2010.

(18th Sep 12)

ORFEVRE(JPN) wins Prix Foy and is now co-favorite for the Arc

Orfevre(JPN), Japanese-bred 4-y-o colt by Stay Gold, made perfect prep for the Arc, winning G2/Prix Foy at Longchamp on September 16th, holding the late charge of Meandre, three time G1 winning 4-y-o colt trained by Andre Fabre, by a length.
As it was the first start since June 24th and first visit at Longchamp Racecourse, Orfevre was hot in parade ring and very keen at the rear of five runners' field during the first half of race. Orfevre, trained by Yasutoshi Ikee and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, found a gap between the rail and Avenitino(JPN), 8-y-o horse by Jungle Pocket who led from the start, at the top of homestretch and draw clear to prove that he is the serious contender for the G1/Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 7th.
Orfevre(JPN), Japan's Triple Crown winner in 2011, bred Shiraoi Farm and owned by Sunday Racing Club, is now supported as co-favorite with Danedream, 4-y-o filly by Lomitas, who will try to achieve back-to-back victory of Arc, by bookmakers.
Japanese horse have finished second in the Arc twice in the past. El Condor Pasa finished second to great Montjeu in 1999 and Nakayama Festa finished second to Workforce in 2010.

(12th Sep 12)

ORFEVRE(JPN) upbeat for Prix Foy

Orfevre(JPN), Japanese-bred 4-y-o colt by Stay Gold, who will bid to win G1/Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, will be prepped in G2/Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sunday September 16th.
Orfevre(JPN), bred by Shiraoi Farm of Shadai Corporation and owned by Sunday Racing Club, arrived at Chantilly on August 26th after 30 hours trip from his home, Ritto Training Center, and has been staying at the yard of Satoshi Kobayashi, Japanese trainer based at Chantilly.
It is reported Orfevre(JPN) has been enjoying the days in France and regained the weight which he lost through the long journey within a few days.
On September 16th at Longchamp, Orfevre(JPN) will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, top French rider, for the first time.
Japanese-trained horses have done quite well in Prix Foy in the past. In 1999, the prep race for the Arc for older horses was won by El Condor Pasa, who would subsequently finish second to Montjeu in the Arc. Nakayama Festa(JPN), the second finisher in the Arc in 2010, finished second to in Prix Foy as well, and Hiruno d'Amour(JPN) finished second in Prix Foy in 2011.
Orfevre(JPN), Japan's Triple Crown winner in 2011, has won eight races, including five Graded One stakes, from fourteen starts, and earned 978,682,000yen so far.

(1st May 12)

RULERSHIP(JPN) rules the world at Hong Kong

Rulership(JPN), Five-Year-Old Horse by King Kamehameha, solo representative of Japan in G1/Queen Elizabeth 2 Cup at Sha Tin on April 29th, proved himself as the world class performer, devastating the quality field by three and three quarters lengths.
While there was no pace at all as expected and it took 50.91 seconds for first four furlongs, the 9 to 2 second favorite, ridden by Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli, tracked leaders from third position in 13 runners field, hit the front at top of stretch, and draw clear showing outstanding finishing speed.
The winning time was 2 minutes and 2.38 seconds.
Thumbs Up, winner of four Graded Staked in Hong Kong and finished second to Dunaden in G1/Hong Kong Vase last December, shown impressive turn of foot at closing stage, however, the Seven-Year-Old Gelding representing Hong Kong could not be fear for the winner and finished second. Sweet Orange, Four-Year-Old Gelding, winner of G1/Hong Kong Classic Mile in January and supported as 21 to 10 favorite, managed to finish third, and California Memory, winner of G1/Hong Kong Cup in December, finished fifth. Treasure Beach, winner of 2 Graded One Stakes, including Irish Derby in 2011, representing Ireland, was disappointing ninth.
This is the first Graded One Stakes win for Rulership, bred by Northern Farm and owned by Sunday Racing Club, who had won three Graded Two Stakes and one Graded Three Stakes in Japan before. And this is the second major title in Hong Kong for the trainer Katsuhiko Sumii, who had won the G1/Hong Kong Mile with Hat Trick in 2005.
King Kamehameha, sire of Rulership, will be represented by his foals and yearlings at the JRHA Select Sale on July 9th and 10th at Northern Horse Park, the source of premier Japanese-bred thoroughbreds.

(29th Mar 12)

Seven Japanese horses compete at Dubai on Saturday

Dubai World Cup night, the richest horse race meeting in the world, will be organized on Saturday March 31st and seven Japanese horses are standing by.
The 10 million dollars Dobai World Cup, which was won by Victoire Pisa and runner-upped by Transcend a year ago, will have three runners representing Japan. Transcend, who will try to get only one better pacing than the last year, Eishin Flash, the Japanese Derby winner in 2010, and Smart Falcon, who has extended his winning streak of Graded Stakes on dirt to nine, will face to So You Think, Game on Dude, Capponi, and others in the contest over 2,000m on Tapeta.
Dark Shadow, who was bought at the foal session of JRHA July Sale in 2007 for 25 million yen by Tomokazu Iizuka, will be representing Japan in the 5 million dollars G1/Dubai Duty Free. Dark Shadow, 5-y-o Horse by Dance In the Dark, is the winner of two Graded Stakes and was narrowly beaten second in G1/Emperor's Cup Aitumn over 2,000m at Tokyo last autumn.
Genten, American-bred 3-y-o, will be in the field of G2/UAE Derby, A Shin Vergo will run G1/Al Quoz Sprint, and Makani Bisty will try to win G3.DIbai Gold Cup.
The Team Japan will try to send another encouraging news to their home country, where many people are still having difficult time after attacked by the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11th 2011.