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 Saturday running at Kyoto Racecourse: Saturday, May 31, 2025 3rd-KYO, ¥10,600,000 ($74k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m BIG BAND BEAT (JPN) (c, 3, McKinzie--Cast in Silver, by City Zip) is a half-brother to the stakes-winning Guanare (Runhappy) and was purchased in utero for $80,000 at...

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 running at Tokyo Racecourse. As part of the G1 Yushun Himba program, the race may be watched live across ADW platforms at 10 p.m. ET: Sunday, May 25, 2025 3rd-TOK, ¥10,600,000 ($74k), Maiden, 3yo, 1300m AMERICAN BEYOND (c, 3, McKinzie--Church by the...

The G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) sees G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) heroine Embroidery (Admire Mars) face 17 rivals in her quest to nab the second jewel of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Tiara. A winner of the G3 Queen Cup over 1600 metres in February, the Silk Racing colourbearer will be testing the waters beyond 1800 metres for the first time in her young career. Tied in the lead-up betting markets with Oka Sho third Lynx Tip (Kitasan Black), Embroidery was only a neck in front of the re-opposing...

The story of the legendary three-times Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) could scarcely be more international in nature. The bay was produced by an American-bred daughter of Distorted Humor who was raced to Group 2 success in Ireland, was sold on to Australian interests and was subsequently bred to the outstanding Medaglia d'Oro, who was on his dual-hemisphere missions at the time. Sold as a yearling on the Gold Coast in Queensland and as a ready-to-run prospect in New Zealand, Golden Sixty plied his trade in...

The promising Poulsen (Into Mischief) snapped a baby two-race losing streak in the Seiryu Stakes (allowance) over the Tokyo one-turn mile on May 10, accounting for the talented filly Promised Gene (Jpn) (Nadal) in a tight finish. The colt, bought back as a weanling at Keeneland November and pinhooked for $925,000 at OBS April after fetching $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, made the most of three appearances at two, scoring on two occasions, and was not beaten far when fourth in his two tries this season, including a 1400-meter test at...

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 are the horses of interest for this Sunday running at Tokyo Racecourses, where 3-year-old turf milers are front and center in the G1 NHK Mile Cup: Sunday, May 11, 2025 5th-TOK, ¥15,200,000 ($105k), Allowance, 3yo, 2100m MERCURY DIME (JPN) (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro--Lucky Dime, by Creative Cause) overcame a...

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 Tokyo and Kyoto Racecourses: Saturday, April 26, 2025 6th-TOK, ¥15,200,000 ($106k), Allowance, 3yo, 1600m REALIZE CAMION (JPN) (c, 3, American Pharoah--Spiced Perfection, by Smiling Tiger) had the services of the visiting Ryan Moore when unveiled on the Japan Cup undercard...

Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) announced himself on the world stage with a perfectly-timed slingshot manoeuvre to run out an impressive winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic for trainer Shogo Yasuda and jockey Keita Tosaki. The race is a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf for the first time this year. A mid-race move from William Buick saw defending champion Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) take over the sedate early pace set by what had been billed as the leading Japanese...

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 Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, March 22, 2025 2nd-HSN, ¥10,600,000 ($71k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m GYLFI (JPN) (c, 3, Nyquist--Maedean, by Tapit) is the first foal from her dam, a $450,000 Keeneland September yearling who would go on to win the...

Recently-pensioned stallion and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Roses In May (Devil His Due) died Tuesday at Japan's Big Red Farm according to a report by Japanese media Wednesday. An article linked on social media reads in part: "Roses in May died on the evening of the 4th due to inability to stand. During his active career, he won the GI Whitney Handicap in 2004 and the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2005, and became a breeding stallion at Big Red Farm, siring Dream Valentino, who won five major races...

Jockey Rachel King and Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) partnered in Tokyo's G1 February Stakes on Sunday, and came away the three-quarter length winners over Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). King is the first female jockey to win a race at the highest tier in Japan. The February Stakes is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic this autumn. Positioned in the first third of the strung-out field, the 3-1 shot followed in the wake of Mitono O (Jpn) (Logotype {Jpn}). That rival carried them...

Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) held off a late surge from the slow-starting and previously unbeaten Promised Gene (Jpn) (Nadal) to take out Sunday's $244,745 Listed Hyacinth Stakes over the one-turn mile at Tokyo Racecourse. The victory was good for 30 points on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby in a race that was won by the colt's champion full-brother Cafe Pharoah some five years ago. The $1.80 (4-5) favorite had the services of Rachel King, runner-up in Friday's International Jockeys' Challenge in Saudi Arabia, and was away fairly before...