Al Riffa Syndicate

Legendary Japanese reinsman Yutaka Take will be aboard Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, according to Japan's NetKeiba publication. Now owned by Masaaki Matsushima and the Al Riffa Syndicate, the 4-year-old colt claimed the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten in their colours on Aug. 11. Take will be making his 11th attempt in the storied contest, and first since Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in 2022. Matsushima was also involved in the ownership of the latter. "I received an...

Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will race for the Al Riffa Syndicate and Masaaki Matsushima beginning in Sunday's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin. The Joseph O'Brien trainee's long-term goal remains the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Matsushima has already enjoyed some success in Europe as the part-owner of G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The 4-year-old won the G1 National Stakes at two, and added runner-up finishes in both the G3 International S. and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Fourth in the...