The Japan Racing Association and France Galop have partnered to make Tokyo Racecourse's two mile Group 1s– Sunday's Yasuda Kinen and the Victoria Mile, which took place on May 14–qualifying races for the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Aug. 31. Entry fees to the Marois will be waved for the top three finishers in those races. The JRA is also offering a $700,000 bonus to the Marois winner. Eventual Japanese Horse of the Year Taiki Shuttle (Devil's Bag) won the Marois in 1998.
France Galop President Olivier Delloye said, “We are really happy to further strengthen the ties between JRA and France Galop through this operation. France is greatly honoured to host Japanese runners for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe every year and sometimes to see them win other good races such as the Prix d'Ispahan, won last year by A Shin Hikari. The [Marois] honor roll includes great champions such as Miesque, Goldikova, Dubawi and Makfi, and the fact that the best European milers of all ages compete in this race is a real plus for any future stallion career.”
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