Japan

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 and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, January 16, 2021 7th-CKO, ¥14,360,000 ($138k), Allowance, 4yo/up, 1200m LA LA CHRYSAOR (h, 5, Speightstown--Lindy, by War Front) made a huge impression when graduating by 10 1/2 lengths on debut as the 6-5 favorite just...

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 Sunday's at Chukyo Racecourse: Sunday, January 10, 2021 6th-CKO, ¥11,400,000 ($110k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1400m KOGOMEYUKI (f, 3, Liam's Map--Toast of Mayfair, by Speightstown) was purchased by Masatake Iida for $150K as a KEENOV weanling and is out of a winning daughter of 2006...

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 Chukyo Racecourse. A pair of US-bred runners entered for Sunday's races and making their career debuts at Chukyo will feature in Saturday's TDN: Saturday, January 9, 2021 6th-CKO, ¥11,400,000 ($110k), Newcomers, 3yo, 1600mT GALLANT MANNER (c, 3, More Than Ready--River...

Silk Racing Co. Ltd.'s Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who was retired from racing following a second victory in the G1 Japan Cup last November, was named the recipient of the Horse of the Year award for the second time in the last three years Wednesday. She easily outpointed Triple Crown winners and unanimous champions Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), while champion sprinter/miler elect Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) garnered a single vote for HOTY. Almond Eye, who was also the champion...

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the new official partner of the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities. The conference, which is normally held in October, is organised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The JRA will promote Japanese racing on the www.ifhaonline.org and social media channels, while the partnership is also expected to further development of international horse racing and international cooperation. "We are pleased to have the JRA become our partner for the Federation's signature conference," said IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet. "Our conference, which traditionally is...

American Horse of the Year Azeri (Jade Hunter-Zodiac Miss {Aus}, by Ahonoora {GB}) has been pensioned from broodmare duty. The chestnut will instead become a lead horse, educating weanlings and yearlings at the Northern Horse Park in Japan according to a recent video posted by the park. The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form. Bred by Allen E. Paulson, Azeri raced in his living trust's colors to wins in 11 Grade I races, while picking up titles as Champion Older Mare in 2002/03/04 and a Horse of the...

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 the first meeting of the new year to be held Tuesday at Nakayama Racecourse: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 2nd-NKY, ¥9,680,000 ($94k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m AMERICAN YELL (c, 3, Tapit--Sindy With An S, by Broken Vow), a $700K Keeneland September purchase by owner Katsumi Yoshizawa,...

Omega Perfume (Jpn) (Swept Overboard), arguably the best Japanese dirt horse not named Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}), has drawn nicely in gate seven of 16 as he goes for a third consecutive victory in Tuesday's G1 Tokyo Daishoten, the final top-level event for 2020 and the lone race at group level held on the National Association of Racing (NAR) circuit. The 5-year-old gray defeated Nonkono Yume (Jpn) (Twining) by a length in defence of his title 12 months ago and won the G3 Keian Hai at Kyoto first off...

Fan favorite Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), who will attempt to add a victory in Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama after a win in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen earlier this season, aims to follow in the illustrious hoofprints of Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who completed the double in 2019. The 2019 G1 Shuka Sho winner, Chrono Genesis kicked off 2020 with a score in the G2 Kyoto Kinen in February before finishing second to Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the 2,000-meter G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin...

Undefeated in two prior starts, Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) came from off the pace to record the first Group 1 victory for both himself and his champion sire, Just a Way (by Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in Saturday's 2,000-meter G1 Hopeful S. at Nakyama. Land of Liberty (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) went to the front soon after the start as Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente [Jpn}), who was pursued by Orthoclase (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), prompted the issue through the first turn. Meanwhile, Danon the Kid advanced to third along...

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 Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses, the latter of which plays host to the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S.: Saturday, December 19, 2020 7th-HSN, ¥13,830,000 ($134k), Allowance, 2yo, 1800m FRANCE GO DE INA (c, 2, Will Take Charge--Dreamy Blues, by Curlin) was...

Red Belle Aube (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) looks to give his legendary late sire a fourth winner of the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity S. in the last seven years as he takes on 15 other rivals in the 1600-metre event that will go some way towards determining year-end honors. Bred from an Unbridled's Song mare just like Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Red Belle Aube has won two in a row since dropping his career debut, including the G2 Daily Hai Nisai S. over this course and...