hanshin

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Hakodate Racecourses: Saturday, June 20, 2026 5th-Hanshin, ¥14,880,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT LUZ SOLAR (JPN) (c, 2, Karakontie {Jpn}--Light of My Eyes {Ire}, by Frankel {GB}) is set to become just the second Japanese runner for his Gainesway-based...

Legendary jockey Yutaka Take bettered his own record when winning his sixth G1 Takarazuka Kinen and second aboard Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship) at Hanshin on Sunday. The 57-year-old previously claimed the race with Inari One (1989), Meijiro McQueen (1993), Marvelous Sunday (1997), and Deep Impact (2006). The "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in October featured a full field of 18, and, shortly before the bell, a deluge turned the course from good to firm to yielding. Second in the betting at 29-10 behind...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin and Tokyo Racecourses. Sunday's horses of note will appear in the Saturday edition of the TDN: Saturday, June 13, 2026 6th-TOK, ¥14,880,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT DEMIAN (c, 2, Flightline--Mira Alta, by Curlin) continues the coming-out party for his...

A course-and-distance winner in December's G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Star Anise (Drefong) picked up where she left off after a four-month absence to overpower her 17 rivals in Sunday's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas), the first leg of the fillies' Triple Crown in Japan. Heading the betting for this Classic ahead of the G3 Queen Cup heroine Dream Core (Kizuna) and the unbeaten Lily Joie (Silver State), Star Anise raced enthusiastically from the outset in the hands of Kohei Matsuyama, soon finding cover in mid-division as longshot Longing Celine...

Sunday, Leopardstown, post time: 15:55, BALLYLINCH STUD RED ROCKS STAKES-G3, €42,000, 3yo, c/g, 7f 42yT Field: Power Blue (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Dorset (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Flushing Meadows (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Geryon (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Iron Lily (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Mumhan (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Redemption Road (GB) (Without Parole {GB}), The PUblican's Son (Beau Liam), Thesecretadversary (Ire) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Trojan Warrior (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Warsaw (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Analysis: With both Gewan and Publish out of the 2,000 Guineas picture with different degrees...

Although it is only April, the Classic season starts with a bang, as Hanshin hosts the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1600 metres on Sunday. The highlight of the race is the 2025 Japanese Champion Juvenile Filly Star Anise (Drefong). She defeated Garavogue (Lord Kanaloa) in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies en route to 2025 Japanese Champion Two-Year-Old Filly honours. However, the champ has yet to grace a racecourse in 2026 and makes her seasonal bow in the first Classic of the year from stall 15 in the...

Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord was back to his brilliant best in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin. The Northern Farm-bred claimed his third lifetime Group 1 in the 2000 metre affair by three-quarters of a length over last year's G1 Takarazuka Kinen victor Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship). Fellow Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) was another length back in third. Drawn widest of all in 15, the near-black colt sidled closer to the fence, but was still punching the breeze about three deep...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin Racecourse: Saturday, April 4, 2026 1st-HSN, ¥11,280,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, f, 1800m PETRICHOR (JPN) (f, 3, Justify--Nicest {Ire}, by American Pharoah) just failed to overcome gate 14 of 16 on Kyoto debut going this trip on Jan. 11, finishing...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo, Hanshin and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, March 21, 2026 11th-CKO, Falcon S.-G3, ¥77,300,000 ($488k), 3yo, 1400mT PRINCESS MOKO (f, 3, Charlatan--Tiger Ride, by Candy Ride {Arg}) validated 7-10 favoritism in graduating first time out on the dirt at Kyoto last...

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here is one horse of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin Racecourse: 5th-HSN, ¥11,280,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m AIR ALCINA (f, 3, Gun Runner--Nokaze, by Empire Maker) is a half- or full-sister to six winners including Group 2 scorer Air Almas (Majestic Warrior), three-time listed winner and Group 3-placed...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin Racecourse: Saturday, February 28, 2026 3rd-HSN, ¥11,280,000 ($72k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m BLUE MCKINZIE (c, 3, McKinzie--Blueeyesintherein, by Magna Graduate), a $40,000 Keeneland November weanling, took some nibbles at the windows and was a respectable fourth on Tokyo debut Nov....

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Hanshin and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, February 21, 2026 4th-HSN, ¥12,330,000 ($80k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1800m WE MOVE (c, 3, Curlin--Shamrock Rose, by First Dude) is the second foal to the races for his dam, named the Eclipse Award-winning female sprinter of...