Tokyo

Well-Related Colts Down To Debut Sunday in 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 Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukushima Racecourses: Saturday, November 15, 2025 5th-FKS, ¥14,250,000 ($92k), Newcomers, 2yo, 2000mT HO O STRIKE (c, 2, Good Magic--Nightlife Baby, by Flatter) was knocked down for $95,000 as a Keeneland November weanling in 2023, but was the...

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Well-Related Into Mischief Colt Back To Work at Tokyo

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 Racecourse: Saturday, November 1, 2025 1st-TOK, ¥10,600,000 ($69k), Maiden, 2yo, 1600m ARCADIA CAFE (c, 2, Into Mischief--Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready) was bet into 9-10 favoritism for his 1400-meter debut at this oval back on June 21 and...

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Well-Related Nyquist Filly Debuts On the Grass at Kyoto

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: Sunday, October 12, 2025 4th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1300m MON SOUHAIT (c, 2, McKinzie--Fashion World {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}), a $100,000 Keeneland September yearling and $100,000 OBS April breezer (see below), is the latest starter...

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Luxor Cafe
Another of Mary's Follies's Offspring A Warm Item on Tokyo Debut

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 Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, June 21, 2025 6th-TOK, ¥14,250,000 ($98k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m ARCADIA CAFE (c, 2, Into Mischief--Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready) is a half-brother to seven winners from eight to race and is a half-brother to...

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First Foal From Jolie Olimpica Down To Debut Saturday at 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 a trio of debuting 2-year-olds of interest for this Saturday running at Hanshin and Tokyo Racecourses: Saturday, June 14, 2025 5th-HSN, ¥14,250,000 ($99k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT SATONO VOYAGE (JPN) (c, 2, Into Mischief--Jolie Olimpica {Brz}, by Drosselmeyer) is the first foal for her dam, the 2019 Horse of the...

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Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar Returns In Style with Yasuda Kinen Strike

Jantar Mantar kicked off his four-year-old campaign in the best possible fashion when running out a comfortable winner of Sunday's G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Sidelined since a down-the-field finish in December's G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin, the son of Palace Malice showed no signs of rustiness on his belated return with a sharp exit from the stalls in the hands of Yuga Kawada. Never far away from the pace set by Mad Cool (Dark Angel), the...

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Soul Rush Faces Stiff Challenge In Yasuda Kinen

The stomping ground of Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in 2024, this year's G1 Yasuda Kinen sees a contentious field line up at Tokyo, with the role of ante-post favourite handed to dual Group 1 winner and last year's third-place finisher Soul Rush. By Rulership, the 2024 Mile Championship hero ran second in the G1 Hong Kong Mile in December and was third to the reopposing Sixpence in the G2 Nakayama Kinen in March. Sent overseas, he defeated Romantic Warrior in the G1 Dubai Turf over...

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Croix Du Nord winning the 2025 Japanese Derby
Kitasan Black's Croix Du Nord Finds His True North In Japanese Derby

After losing his unbeaten record when second in April's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Croix Du Nord was on something of a recovery mission, and he delivered when it counted, running out a three-quarter length winner of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on Sunday. Masquerade Ball (Duramente), third in the Satsuki Sho, charged home second, 1 1/2 lengths to the good of Shohei (Saturnalia). The betting public felt the 2400 metres of the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) was well within the son of Kitasan Black's scope, and...

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Black-Type Analysis: John Of Gaunt Puzzle For Kinross

Saturday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 15:50, JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION DERBY-TRIAL-G3, €55,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Aquaman (Ger) (Cracksman {GB}), Eagle Emblem (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Juwelier (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Next Mine (Ger) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Path Of Soldier (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Zafirelli (Hun) (Study Of Man {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Path Of Soldier had Aquaman resume rivalry, having been first and third in Munich's G3 Bavarian Classic at the start of the month. Juwelier was fifth in Chantilly's Listed Prix de Suresnes last time and that could represent the strongest...

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Starke Makes History with Yushun Himba Strike Aboard Kamunyak

German-born Andrasch Starke became the oldest winning jockey in the history of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as the 51-year-old partnered Kamunyak to a last-gasp victory in the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara at Tokyo on Sunday. It was a first Group 1 success on Japanese soil for Starke, who has been crowned Germany's champion jockey on 10 occasions and is perhaps best known internationally for his association with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream. Maintaining...

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Promising McKinzie Colt Makes 3YO Debut at Tokyo

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...

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Black-Type Analysis: Friday's Gallinule Holds Derby Clues, As Irish 2000 Guineas Attracts Nine

Friday, Curragh, post time: 18:55, HEIDER FAMILY STABLES GALLINULE STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Emit (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Reyenzi (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Shackleton (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Thrice (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Tiberius Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Dawn Spirit (Ire) (Australia {GB}). TDN Verdict: Aidan O'Brien runs last year's G3 Zetland Stakes runner-up Shackleton in the latest Derby trial he bids to annex during a stellar period for the stable, but there is a strong case to be made for Reyenzi following his impressive five-length Navan...

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