“He shipped back to Newmarket a couple of days ago, shipped well, and I think we'll stick with plan A and probably head to Hong Kong for the [May 26 G1 Standard Chartered] Champions and Chater there,” trainer Charlie Appleby told Equidia's Katherine Ford Callier at Deauville Apr. 9.

Having won a pair of Group 1s in Germany and the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf in 2022, the homebred endured a string of bad luck when winless last season–including a spill in a race at Saratoga–but hinted at a return to his better form when taking out the Listed Wild Flower S. over the Kempton all-weather in December. The 6-year-old made the majority of the running in the Amir Trophy to win by a convincing three lengths and sat just off a moderate tempo in the Sheema Classic, pouncing late to best Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) by two lengths.

“It's a program we put in place before the Sheema Classic,” Appleby said of the trip to Hong Kong. “We know he enjoys his traveling, as long as he's traveling in and out within a certain period, but importantly, he likes that style of track and that style of racing. So that's our plan to go to the Champions and Chater.”

Rebel's Romance is likely to come up against Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has capped off each of his last two seasons in Hong Kong with victories in the Champions and Chater Cup, as well as the dual group-winning Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a meritorious sixth in the Mar. 30 G1 Dubai Turf over an insufficient 1800 metres.

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The Ballydoyle septet slowly ambled out of the tunnel near the 1600-metre starting point on the the dirt surface, led by G3 Red Sea Turf H. hero Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, G2 Dubai Gold Cup), with dual Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}, G1 Dubai Sheema Classic ) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}, G1 Dubai Turf) close in tow. They were followed next in line by Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}, Sheema Classic), the G2 UAE Derby-bound Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Navy Seal (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), and Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road, Dubai Turf) caboosing the group.

The seven made their way down the chute in front of the international press and did one circuit of the main tack in the wrong direction before then turning around to canter a lap. As can be the case on their first visit to the track, a few–including Auguste Rodin–appeared a bit warm under their saddle cloths on a morning that was equal parts muggy and breezy, with 'widespread dust' headlining the weather conditions at the time.

“They arrived early on Sunday and they're all in great form,” said Pat Keating, ever at the fore on foreign soil. “They just trotted a lap, then cantered for seven furlongs or so. They might go a little bit further as the week goes on but they're here healthy and well and that's the main thing.”

About the same time the Ballydoyle contingent was spotted, the three Andre Fabre participants jumped onto the turf course at about the 1400-metre marker. Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}), the somewhat surprising winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and bound for the Sheema Classic led his longer-winded stable companions Sober (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in a light gallop. The latter pair go in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup over two miles.

Runners representing John and Thady Gosden did their Tuesday morning trackwork over the Tapeta track. Four-peat Dubai Turf seeker Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) had steady canters, as did the Sheema Classic-bound Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Gold Cup entrant Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).

Thady Gosden said: “They all got here about 2am on Sunday. They just had an easy day and we might bring them over to the main track on Thursday.

“Lord North is in good form, this is the fifth year–he's actually been over here, he also came in 2020–and he's won the race three times. He's travelled over well, he's an older horse and he's in good order.

“Nashwa had a great season and has done well during the winter. She seems in good form in what will be a competitive race.”

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At age 28, Comerford is set to call his first Dubai World Cup meeting, having cut his teeth on the mic in the Northern Territories almost by accident. Called up into a similar role at the Singapore Turf Club–a job that has proved fertile ground for significant advancement into bigger and more glamorous  positions. Comerford was selected last fall as the racecaller at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Association. That not only includes sprawling Meydan Racecourse, but also Jebel Ali, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Comerford graciously took time out of his frenetic schedule to field some questions from TDN Senior Contributing Editor Alan Carasso ahead of Saturday's Dubai World Cup meeting.

TDN: How did you become interested in Thoroughbred racing?

Pat Comerford: Grew up the northwest of Melbourne five minutes from Moonee Valley and 10 minutes from Flemington. Fair to say nine of every 10 people around that area loves a punt. My family weren't involved in racing, just avid racegoers and we loved heading to the races at a young age, especially throughout Melbourne Cup week. I turn 29 this year so I'd say I've been following it the best part of 20 years.

TDN: What got you into commentating?

PC: It's not the usual entry to it. I always had a love for broadcasting and was involved in radio from a young age. After returning to Melbourne following a brief stint at the Missouri School Of Journalism, I graduated back in Australia and got a job in Alice Springs doing breakfast radio. By chance in one of the most remote towns in Australia, the commentator of over 10 years at the Alice Springs Turf Club departed in late 2017 and they were in need of a commentator for the 30-35 meetings each year. I'd never done it before, but being one of the radio presenters in town and heading to the track all the time, they probably thought it was something I could learn. After a few weeks with some help from the outgoing commentator Shane Green, I was calling around the country most weeks and that was my entry in commentating, it was a rough start believe me.

TDN: Australia is home to so many outstanding racecallers. Is there any one of them that you have sort of imitated or that has had a profound impact on you?

PC: Adam Olszanski in my early time in Alice was a great help, he also spent time as a young commentator flying up to Alice Springs to get opportunities. Ric McIntosh was also a great help. In recent times, for both racing and sports commentary advice, Matthew Hill has been a wealth of knowledge and a person I can call a friend. Always free for a call and happy to lend a hand to the young blokes in the game.

TDN: How would you describe your style?

PC: It's a certainly a very Australian style that's for sure. I like to think with my time overseas, I have been able to keep some of the Aussie elements, but also continue adding international elements as I've gone on. A commentator I idolized as a younger person was David Raphael when he called in Hong Kong. He was proof that you can get excited, be a bold and loud voice but also do it with elegance. I've only be calling just over six years, but if I could get to his level and master that style of calling in the near future, I'll be doing well.

TDN: Talk about your experience in Singapore.

PC: Singapore was my first full time overseas calling opportunity, having only called part time during my couple years in New Zealand. Thousands of trials helped me fine tune many things that I never got the experience to do in central Australia and when Nick Child departed to Hong Kong, the Singapore job became available. George Simon, who was the last caller at Bukit Timah and first caller at Kranji was a great mentor during my time in NZ and was a big help in putting me forward for the role. I called my first 6-7 months behind closed doors [due to COVID], but to say it wasn't a massive opportunity would be ridiculous. Getting a chance to start commentating domestic group features allowed me to start putting my name out there and if it wasn't for the chance they gave me, I wouldn't be here in Dubai today.

TDN: Commentating in Singapore been something of a conduit to bigger and better positions elsewhere. Ed Sadler, Brett Davis, Tom Wood, Nick Child, as you pointed out, and one of your predecessors at the ERA, Craig Evans. How did that experience prepare you for this grander stage?

PC: To even be in the line of succession with some of those names is crazy for me to even fathom. There has been some world-class callers come out of Singapore and although I wouldn't class myself anywhere near that bracket yet, all of them I'd say would agree that Singapore certainly improves you as a caller. I personally felt that the track taught me patience, especially long course racing on the turf. The run in at Kranji on the long course feels like it goes forever and so much can unfold in that 600m+. It was the first place where furlong splits and pace was an important element to focus on and include. Having started on the dirt in the Northern Territory where everything is full bore from the get-go, to calling on very heavy tracks in New Zealand, Singapore gave me great experience to understanding who was getting the best run and allowing those predictions to paint a better picture on what was to potentially unfold in the later stages of the race.

TDN: I would be remiss if I didn't ask you for your thoughts on the sad demise of racing in Singapore.

PC: It is truly devastating that as of October, racing in Singapore will no longer exist. I am truly honored that I got the chance to call there, it is a world-class facility that will unfortunately go to waste. Like many racing fans, we all have so many great memories watching many international champions win at Kranji and it will be missed.

TDN: How daunting a task has it been calling the tracks of the ERA, Meydan especially, and how tricky has it been adapting to calling the Purebred Arabians?

PC: Meydan I found the easiest transition. Everything apart from the straight racing was very similar to Singapore. You are quite far away from the course, sitting up high in a big grandstand, so it was quite an easy one to adapt to. The other tracks however were a challenge at first. Many require you to use the vision screens at certain points because you physically cannot see them through the glasses. Add to that the different style of names which from a recall perspective, took a little while to stick in the brain right away. The process is much easier now but you still get an interesting one every now and then. It certainly keeps you on your toes.

TDN: How have you grown into the role since your appointment?

PC: I'd like to think that I have seen further improvement in my calling this season. I'd like to hope that those listening on have enjoyed the races so far this season. It's a bit of a different sound to what they have heard in Dubai previously. All I can hope is that I can match the class of my predecessors who have called here in the past, some great callers have held this position and I certainly don't take the position for granted, I'm very lucky to be in this spot.

TDN: Of all the races on World Cup night, is there a single race or a horse in particular you are most looking forward to seeing/calling?

PC: I'd say I'm tied for that. Hard to split the Auguste Rodin v Liberty Island battle in the Sheema and Kabirkhan in the Dubai World Cup. The Sheema once again is a very deep race and should be a great contest. As for Kabirkhan, if he can get the win for Kazakhstan and Doug Watson, it would be an amazing story.

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The main event has attracted a field of 15 that is led by its defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), one of 24 runners set to ship in from Japan for the meeting. Looking to become the first 7-year-old World Cup winner since Gloria de Campeao (Brz) back in 2010 and just the third overall, the recent G1 Saudi Cup runner-up is joined by three compatriots, including last year's G2 UAE Derby hero Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits). The American challenge numbers five and is topped by Saudi Cup upsetter Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) and GI Santa Anita H. hero Newgate (Into Mischief) for four-time World Cup winner Bob Baffert, while the exciting Kabirkhan (California Chrome) has been the talking horse of the Dubai International Racing Carnival and the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge victor will have his supporters to become a first World Cup winner for perennial leading trainer Doug Watson. Laurel River (Into Mischief) won the G3 Burj Nahaar over a mile on Super Saturday Mar. 2, but opts for the World Cup over the Godolphin Mile for trainer Bhupat Seemar.

The $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, won in imperious fashion by Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) last March, was the second highest-rated race in the world in 2023, and if the field assembled for this renewal is any indication, it could go one better. A likely field of 12 has been revealed, fully 10 of which have succeeded at Group 1 level, and features a mouth-watering clash between G1 Betfred Derby, G1 Irish Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Japanese Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Japan is also represented by 2022 Sheema Classic victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to make her first appearance beyond the borders of the UK and is one of four on the evening for John and Thady Gosden. Godolphin sends out Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), impressive in taking out the Listed HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar last month.

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) also represents the Clarehaven operation as he goes in search of an unprecedented fourth victory in a row in the G1 Dubai Turf, where he squares off with G1 Arima Kinen hero Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), the would-be 2023 favourite who was scratched leading up to the race. Also in the field is Lord North's hard-knocking stable companion Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Godolphin's progressive G1 Jebel Hatta winner Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}); treble elite-level scorer Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) for Aidan O'Brien; and Hong Kong's Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), victorious in this year's G1 Stewards Cup at Sha Tin.

Godolphin's Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will look to avenge a tough defeat in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where he'll surely face a stiff challenge from recent G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. winner Tower of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and runner-up Enemy (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup conqueror Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}); and G2 Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {GB}).

Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved a somewhat unlikely winner of the 2023 G1 Al Quoz Sprint for local trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri and will have to dig deep if he is to defend against the Jamie Osborne-trained veteran Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal), a recent winner in Qatar; the nails-tough US raider Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed); Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), so game up the rail to scoop the G2 1351 Turf Sprint Feb. 24; Hong Kong's G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup winner California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); and the 3-year-old fillies Star of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and Frost At Dawn (Frosted).

America's Sibelius (Not This Time) will have Ryan Moore back in the saddle as he defends his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen against the likes of G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake (Jpn) (Lani) and the locally trained Tuz (Oxbow), while Isolate (Mark Valeski) is certain to face a strong challenge from Saudi Cup close third-placegetter Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), who drops back in trip for the G2 Godolphin Mile.

The G2 UAE Derby features a budding star in the form of the Yoshito Yahagi-conditioned Forever Young (Jpn), a son of 2016 Dubai Turf hero Real Steel (Jpn), whose undefeated run includes a razor-thin victory in the 1600-metre G3 Saudi Derby Feb. 24. G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn) and Listed Al Bastakiya S. scorer Killer Collect (Collected) front the local challenge, while Ballydoyle is set to be represented by G3 Tyros S. winner Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Derby offers 100 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

Click here for the full fields.

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Having left Japan at the age of 16 to study initially in Ireland, the young would-be jockey had just turned 22 at the time of his first victory for Richard Hannon aboard Dolphinelle (Ire), beating Eve Johnson Houghton, on her father's Corn Dolly (Ire), by a head. 

That was half a lifetime ago for Nakauchida, who, 21 years later was crowned champion trainer in Japan. A year after that he took charge of the filly who will take some beating in the race to be his horse of a lifetime. Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) wasn't just the best filly in Japan last year, she was the top-rated three-year-old filly in the world on a mark of 121, and she is set to head a star-studded cast on Dubai World Cup night on March 30.

Bred by Northern Farm and campaigned in the colours of Sunday Racing, she has amassed four Grade 1 victories from only seven lifetime starts. At two, Liberty Island won the GI Hanshin Juvenile Fillies before returning the following April to sail through the Fillies' Triple Crown of the Oka Sho, Yushun Himba and Shuka Sho. Only one horse could get the better of her last year, and that was the mighty Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), to whom she finished second in the Japan Cup. Next, she will aim to emulate his international smash and grab on the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Liberty Island is on course for the Dubai Sheema Classic | Scoop Dyga

We've seen plenty of Japanese trainers at the top meetings around the world over the years. Nakauchida is one who won't be calling on the excellent translating skills of Naohiro Goda or Mariko Seki as he is a fluent English speaker, having completed a thorough grounding in international racing since flying the nest at such a tender age. His list of former bosses reads like's a who's who of the Turf and includes Richard Hannon, Criquette Head and Bobby Frankel. 

“As a student I wanted to learn equine science at college or university in Europe and I decided to go to Ireland first,” says Nakauchida, who also rode out for trainer JJ Lennon in Ireland and later for Sylvester Kirk in the UK. “Then I found a course in Witney in England which specialised in Thoroughbreds. It's thanks to my parents for letting me do that.”

His parents' way of life had no doubt ignited the flame as Nakauchida was born at Shigaraki Farm, a pre-training yard run by his father Katsuzi and based close to the JRA's famous Ritto training centre where he is now based.

After eventually returning to Japan and initially assisting Mitsuru Hashida, Nakauchida started training in his own right in 2014 and, now 45, is a permanent fixture in the JRA's list of top ten trainers. Liberty Island could yet bring his name and talents to even wider prominence. 

“It's such an honour to have a horse like her,” he says. “Her racetrack record is incredible. She's just a natural in her races and she has such talent. It's a pleasure to have her in my stable.

“After the Japan Cup she had a little rest and she was actually tired after the race so it took her a little while to recover. After that she bounced back and she did quite well during the winter. She looks much stronger now and she looks like she is starting to fill out.”

Liberty Island, a product of the mating between dual Japanese Classic winner Duramente, who died woefully young at the age of just nine, and champion Australian filly Yankee Rose (Aus) (All American {Aus}), will travel to Dubai 10 days prior to what will be her 2024 debut. She follows in the footsteps of the great Japanese fillies Gentildonna (Jpn) and Almond Eye (Jpn), both of whom were crowned Horse of the Year in their native country. The Sheema Classic has been a happy hunting ground for Japanese raiders, with the fourth running in 2001 going to Stay Gold (Jpn). Since then Heart's Cry (Jpn), Gentildonna, Shahryar (Jpn) and Equinox have all joined the roll of honour. 

Liberty Island will be the red-hot favourite to bring up a third consecutive win for Japan in the mile-and-a-half contest and, should she prevail, she would become the first major international winner for her trainer. 

“Considering the international racing programme, we look throughout the year to choose which horses we can take to Dubai or Saudi or Europe, even Hong Kong and Australia. All around the world there are great races and I am always looking for an opportunity to run in them,” he says.

Nakauchida was represented in Dubai and Hong Kong last year by the Grade 1 winner Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), and he came close in Sha Tin's G1 FWD QEII Cup with Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was runner-up to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). He also managed to call in on family when represented at Royal Ascot in 2022 by Grenadier Guards (Jpn) (Frankel {GB}), who was stabled in Newmarket with his brother-in-law Roger Varian. Nakauchida and Varian are married to the sisters Yoko and Hanako (née Sonobe) respectively.

Through his experience working for trainers in Britain, Ireland, France and America, Nakauchida has accrued vital knowledge of the aspects of different racecourses and racing styles.

“That's why I can't take anything and everything overseas,” he says. “I have to think very carefully. You cannot take light-footed horses to Europe. You have to think of the suitable track for each horse.

“We are planning to take Prognosis to Hong Kong this year again. He likes Sha Tin and performs well there. We tried to run Serifos in Dubai and Hong Kong but we didn't get the result we wanted so, this is another good example. He's good in Japan, he's well built and a muscular horse, and you'd think he would run well overseas but we tried and it didn't work. So we will concentrate on Japan for him this spring.”

In the past, Nakauchida has spoken of having to relearn about training on his return to Japan, and he outlines the differences between his overseas experience, were he recalls “every person was good to me”,  and the way he now operates back at home, where he has 20 boxes at Ritto.

“The whole system in Japan is different to any other country,” he says. “Each trainer is allocated a certain number of boxes in the training centre but you obviously have more horses than the number of stables, so we shuffle the horses around a lot, which is quite different. The racing style is different too. [The going is] like concrete here and the racing time is different, much faster than any other country. You have to jump off well, settle down, then you have to finish strong. Even the top level of races, they jump off fast and then there is no slowing down in the middle part of the race, but then you still need to quicken at the end. The races are very tough.”

On the home front this year his main Classic hopes appear to rest on Queen's Walk (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), the winner of last month's G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup, whose brother, the aforementioned Grenadier Guards, won the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity for the stable in 2020. The latter has just commenced his first covering season at Shadai Stallion Station. Their dam is the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue (Harlington).

“We are lucky to have a filly going to the Classics this year,” says Nakauchida. “She is a half-sister to Grenadier Guards, who has just become a stallion this year. We really liked him and took him to Royal Ascot. Actually it was the other way round: he took us to Royal Ascot. That's the way I look at it.”

Now it is the turn of Liberty Island to take her trainer and owners to Meydan for Dubai's biggest meeting of the year. Whether that will be her only overseas trip of 2024 is yet to be decided. 

He says, “With Liberty Island we still don't know how good she is. So we will just see how she performs in Dubai against the top international horses, then she will probably open the door for other options. It's nice to be in this position.”

The post ‘We Still Don’t Know How Good She Is’: Japan’s Triple Tiara Winner Liberty Island Heads to Dubai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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In total, more than 1,400 entries have been received across the nine races and Ushba Tesoro is one of 200 from Japan as he tries to become only the second dual winner of the $12-million Dubai World Cup (Sponsored by Emirates Airline) after Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in 2018 and 2019. Incidentally, Thunder Snow also won the G2 UAE Derby in 2017 and last year's winner of that race, Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), is another of the Japanese contingent entered in the showpiece event having ended 2023 with an excellent second in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

White Abarrio (Race Day), who was gaining the third Grade I victory of his career when beating Derma Sotogake at Santa Anita, is another star name among the Dubai World Cup entries, along with GI Preakness S. and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) and local hope Kabirkhan (California Chrome), the recent winner of the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge which gained him an automatic entry.

Aidan O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) has also been nominated for the Dubai World Cup, though he's unproven on the dirt and perhaps more likely to take up his entry in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. That tees up the prospect of another clash with stablemate Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the dual Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero who had Luxembourg back in second when also winning the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown.

Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), an impressive winner of the G1 Coronation Cup in 2023, is another notable European-based entry, while Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) also brings star quality to the table having won the Japanese Triple Tiara before chasing home the great Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn})–a breathtaking winner of last year's Dubai Sheema Classic–in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo on her final start of 2023.

Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) finished a good fourth in the Japan Cup and went on to win the G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama, identifying him as a leading contender for the G1 Dubai Turf (sponsored by DP World). Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), a Group 1 performer in Hong Kong, is another to look out for from the Far East, while Charlie Appleby holds a strong hand with GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a rapidly progressive four-year-old who took the step up in grade in his stride with a decisive success in the G1 Jebel Hatta last time.

Appleby is still seeking a first victory in the Dubai Turf and standing in his way once again will be John and Thady Gosden's stable stalwart Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will be bidding for an unprecedented fourth win in the race. Already just the second horse after Thunder Snow to win three times on Dubai World Cup night, Lord North will certainly be one of the most popular winners on the card should he prevail again in 2024, while Danyah (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Sibelius (Not This Time) will also have their supporters as they try to repeat their 2023 victories in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (Sponsored by Azizi Developments) and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (Sponsored by Nakheel) respectively.

The full list of entries for all nine races is available here.

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The flashy 4-year-old is the 1.30 (3-10) mortal early doors, but the 2200-metre test has not exactly been kind to favoured runners over the last decade, with only Gold Ship (Jpn) in 2014–before finishing last but one at skinny odds after playing up in the stalls in search of three straight the following year–and Chrono Genesis (Jpn) in 2021 saluting. That said, the race is clearly Equinox's to lose. Second in the G1 Satsuki Sho and G1 Tokyo Yushun last term, he ran down the enterprisingly ridden Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and stamped his authority on the G1 Arima Kinen to wrap up Horse of the Year honours. Leaving nothing to chance at Meydan, Equinox was put on the lead by Christophe Lemaire and when asked to stretch ever so slightly in the straight, opened up at will for a breathtaking 3 1/2-length victory over G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

“[Christophe Lemaire] has been working him and the horse looks good going into the race,” said trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “He was in good condition for last year's Arima Kinen, and he's about the same as that now. It did take him some time to recover from his trip to Dubai. As he develops though, he's showing a lot more power, and that should help him prove himself here.”

Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was also Classic-placed last season, having finished a very good third behind Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000 metres. Only seventh in the Arima Kinen, he is perfect in his two runs in 2023, including a 2 1/2-length defeat of the reliable Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) going two miles Apr. 30. Justin Palace cuts back a full five furlongs in trip Sunday, but his connections are nevertheless bullish on his chances.

“His responses and times have been good in training, and he looks better than I had imagined,” said trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “It seems like he's developed more even since his last race and he's well-balanced now, so I hope he can show even more this time.”

Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), whose Horse of the Year dam Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third at 7-5 in 2013, is already a Group 1 winner over Sunday's 2200-metre trip, having bested her peers in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup last November before running home nicely to be third in the Arima Kinen. She'll need to improve on sixth-place efforts in the G1 Osaka Hai and G1 FWD QE II Cup in Hong Kong. The female set is also represented by Carrot Farm's Through Seven Seas (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}), last-start winner of the G3 Nakayama Himba S. who holds entries for the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}) was the recipient of a brilliant and audacious ride from Ryan Moore to touch off Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in last year's G1 Japan Cup, but he never threatened when 10th in the Arima Kinen. The registered black entire returns to the turf following a distant 13th to compatriot Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 25.

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With 26 runners on the night, it was always a given that Japan would feature prominently and, in an exhibition of excellence that we are now becoming accustomed to, they led all comers, just as they had in Riyadh last month. The performance of Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) alone was pretty dramatic, coming from tailed off to a rallying victory in the big race itself, but all else pales when compared to the extraordinary Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}).

There have been some classy winners of the Dubai Sheema Classic over the years but none has cruised over the line with such imperious ease as the 4-year-old, who was Japan's Horse of the Year in 2022. 

We may be only three months into 2023, but Equinox has quickly become almost everybody's horse of this year. His connections appear to have ruled out a bid for the Arc, with the Breeders' Cup Turf a more likely international option for later in the year. Those of us on this side of the pond can only hope they change their mind and consider Ascot in July for the King George and Queen Elizabeth S.

Once again it was a major meeting which showcased the rewards to be reaped when keeping horses in training beyond their 2- or 3-year-old seasons. Leaving aside the  UAE Derby, Equinox was the youngest winner of the night, with horses aged five, six and seven claiming two victories apiece. 

Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) were born a day apart in February 2016, and have mustered 52 runs and 19 wins between them. Both may be a little under-appreciated, though surely not by their connections, considering that the former has triumphed in exactly half of his 20 starts and accumulated almost £6.5 million in prize-money, largely through his historic hat-trick in the Dubai Turf. The well-named Broome (out of Sweepstake) has taken his connections on a merry dance from Ireland to England, France, America, Japan, Hong Kong, Qatar, and now Dubai. He has also overcome a fractured shin from  a kick by another horse after running in the Japan Cup of November 2021. Quick thinking and treatment by vet Kanichi Kusano, who is now the Japan Racing Association's representative in London, meant that Broome was able to resume racing the following May, winning the G2 Hardwicke S. on his second run back after the break, and now the G2 Dubai Gold Cup.

A chance outing on Sunday took this correspondent to the ancestral home of the original Lord North. Kirtling Tower, not far from Newmarket, is the remaining part of what was once Kirtling Hall and its vast estate across Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. A financial advisor and treasurer of sorts to Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell when it came to the dissolution of the monasteries, Lord North, who died in 1564, is entombed at Kirtling Church. Some 14 years later, his son Roger, the second Lord North, entertained Elizabeth I at Kirtling Hall.

Legend has it that the among the long list of food served to the Queen and fellow guests during their three-day stay were 2,316 pigeons, 446 quails, 221 cows' tongues, feet and udders, 110 bitterns, 99 dottrells, 96 rabbits, 67 sheep, 34 pigs, 32 swans, 28 plovers, four stags, and one crane. This was all washed down with 74 hogsheads of beer, six hogsheads of claret and six gallons of spiced wine known as hippocras. It makes the Federation of Bloodstock Agents' annual lunch seem positively abstemious. 

Saudi, Dubai, Next Stop Kentucky

It is hard to get away from Sunday Silence in the Japanese sire lists, and he featured as the paternal great grandsire of both Ushba Tesoro and Equinox. The 1989 Kentucky Derby winner also pops up on the dam's side in the third generation of the G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake (Jpn), who will now try to emulate his notable ancestor by heading to Churchill Downs on the first weekend of May.

The Shadai-bred Derma Sotogake, who was also third in the G2 Saudi Derby, is the first major international winner from the debut crop of Mind your Biscuits, who ended 2022 as the leading first-season sire in Japan. In his racing days, the 10-year-old son of Posse landed back-to-back runnings of the G1 Golden Shaheen as well as winning the GI Malibu S. at three, and he looks an inspired purchase for the Shadai Stallion Station. His pedigree appears to be a natural fit for mares from the Sunday Silence/Deep Impact line and, as a great grandson of Deputy Minister, his is a sire-line which has succeeded in Japan through French Deputy and his son Kurofune. The latter, himself a grey, features most notably as the sire of the pure white Sodashi (Jpn), winner of the 2021 G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas).

Amo Racing's Season Off to a Flyer

The 2023 Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up was represented by its first winner on Saturday before the sale had even taken place. Formerly known as Lot 153 but now racing as Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner and Haras de Bouquetot sire Wooded (Ire) won Ireland's first juvenile contest of the year at the Curragh.

Bought as a yearling last August at Arqana for €165,000, he was signed for by breeze-up consignor Robson Aguiar, who presumably had plenty of involvement in the colt's preparation for his debut for owners Amo Racing and Giselle de Aguiar and trainer Adrian Murray. The same triumvirate is also involved in Lightening Army (GB), a juvenile from the first crop of Soldier's Call (GB) who has an entry at Dundalk on Friday.

By Saturday evening, Amo Racing had notched its first stakes winner in America when Crispy Cat (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), who had also been selected by Aguiar as a yearling, won the Texas Glitter S. at Gulfstream Park. A decent juvenile last term for Michael O'Callaghan, Crispy Cat won on debut and notched several black-type places, including an unlucky third in the G2 Norfolk S. He later filled the same position in the G2 Flying Childers, and he could well have a fruitful year ahead of him in the States, where is one of a team of around 30 horses for Amo Racing.

The Amo colours could also be seen in Classic action this year as among the entries for the Irish 2,000 Guineas is the G2 Beresford S. winner Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), who has moved from O'Callaghan to the Gosdens.

Murphy Skilled in Both Spheres

Amy Murphy has made a habit of targeting French races in recent years and her approach paid dividends across the codes last week with two markedly different winners.

At Saint-Cloud on Thursday, the versatile trainer saddled the first winner for Coolmore's freshman sire Magna Grecia (Ire) when Myconian (Ire) won the Prix de Debut for Daniel Macauliffe and Anoj Don. Murphy's husband Lemos de Souza has been a key part of her training establishment from the outset and he had selected the colt for €27,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.

For sheer emotion, however, nothing could top the trainer's second French victory of the week. Now 10, Kalashnikov (Ire) (Kalanisi {Ire}) had been an early star for Murphy and headed into the 2018 Cheltenham Festival with four wins to his credit. He was beaten just a neck when second in the G1 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and went on to become the trainer's first Grade 1 winner the following year in the Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree. 

Having had almost two years away from the track while recovering from a tendon injury, Kalashnikov, who races in the colours of Murphy's father Paul, returned to action on Boxing Day. On Sunday, he recorded his eighth victory in the Prix Hubert de Navailles at Auteuil, reducing his trainer, who also rides him every day, to tears.

Globetrotting Murzabayev Off the Mark for Fabre

We may struggle to spell his name correctly but be prepared to hear and see plenty more of Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, the Kazakhstan-born, four-time German champion jockey, who rode his first winner for his new boss Andre Fabre at Fontainebleau on Monday. 

Having race-ridden in both in his native country and the Czech Republic, Murzabayev was initially connected to Andreas Wohler following his move to Germany in 2017. He later joined Peter Schiergen, for whom he won last year's G1 Deutsches Derby on Sammarco (Ire) and G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern aboard Tunnes (Ger). A further breakthrough came during this winter's stint in Japan, where he partnered Dura Erede (Jpn) to land the G1 Hopeful S. among his 21 winners in the country.

Fabre initially called him up ride Mare Australis (Ire) in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and the 30-year-old was announced as the French trainer's retained jockey earlier this month. On Monday, Palais Du Louvre (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) became the duo's first winner. He is unlikely to be the last.

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Despite being eased down towards the line, the Tetsuya Kimura-trained 4-year-old lowered the course record previously held by Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) by exactly a second to stop the clock at 2:26.65.

G1 Irish Derby winner Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) gave chase in vain, running home best of the rest to reduce the winning margin to 3 1/2 lengths, with French-trained Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) taking third.

Equinox had the race at his mercy almost from the off, charging to the front from gate six to bowl along with ease. As jockeys on runners in behind started to ask serious questions of their mounts, Lemaire had merely to ease his rein out an inch for the leader to increase his stride–and his lead–with no further effort required from the rider who had partnered another Japanese Horse of the Year, Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), to victory in the Dubai Turf of 2019.

“I knew he was the best horse and so I was happy to make the pace,” Lemaire said of Equinox. “I'm really happy for all of the connections. It's been a long time since I won the Sheema; the last time was with Heart's Cry, and he passed away two weeks ago. So I am very grateful for this horse; he has allowed me to pay tribute to Heart's Cry.”

He continued, “Race after race, he's going up the rankings of the horses I have ridden. It was a great, great performance against these kind of horses at the top level. I couldn't be happier.”

Tetsuya Kimura had already saddled his stable star to win the G1 Tenno Sho and G1 Arima Kinen in the last six months but even he appeared staggered by Equinox's bloodless victory. He said, “It was a tough field with some very strong horses but he's a champion and he was just the best. He got the job done and made it all look so simple.”

Ryan Moore had already secured two wins on the Dubai World Cup card but he had to settle for second on Juddmonte's Westover. The 4-year-old's trainer Ralph Beckett expressed relief after a testing time in the build-up to Saturday.

“It hasn't been easy this week–he did two laps of the training track on Tuesday when he was only meant to do one,” said Beckett. “Although he's keen you have to leave him alone. He's been beaten by a very good horse, to finish second to him is fantastic. I wouldn't rule out dropping back to 10 furlongs for an Eclipse or a Tatts Gold Cup.”

Long-shot Zagrey, who was runner-up in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. on his last start, has his trainer Yann Barberot dreaming of major targets closer to home after his third-place finish. He said, “It's fantastic. He's a proper Group 1 horse and I'm delighted. He wasn't precocious, as is the case with quite a lot of Zarak's progeny. Then he got injured at three after he was second in the Prix Eugene Adam but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He loves soft ground so he might be a horse for something like the Champion S. at Ascot. He's been beaten by a phenomenon.”

Pedigree Notes

A son of the young Shadai stallion Kitasan Black, whose sire Black Tide (Jpn) is a full-brother to Deep Impact (Jpn), Equinox is the third foal of his Group 3-winning dam Chateau Blanche (Jpn) (King Halo {Jpn}). His year-older half-brother Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) won the G3 Nikkei Sho, and the mare has a 3-year-old colt whose sire Just A Way (Jpn) won the Dubai Turf of 2014. Chateau Blanche's current 2-year-old filly is a daughter of Kizuna (Jpn), and she is due to foal a full-sibling to Equinox this season.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC-G1, $6,000,000, Meydan, 3-25, NH 4yo/up & SH 3yo/up, 2410mT, 2:25.65 (NCR), gd.
1–EQUINOX (JPN), 125, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Chateau Blanche (Jpn) (GSW-Jpn,
                                   $1,096,970), by King Halo (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Blancherie (Jpn), by Tony Bin (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Maison Blanche (Jpn), by Alleged
O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya
Kimura; J-Christophe-Patrice Lemaire. $3,480,000. Lifetime
Record: Horse of the Year & Ch. 3yo Colt-Jpn, MG1SW-
Jpn, 7-5-2-0, $9,516,220. *Half to Weiss Meteor (Jpn) (King
Kamehameha {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $820,531. Werk Nick Rating:
   A+++. *Triple Plus*.  Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross
   pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
   pedigree.
2–Westover (GB), 125, c, 4, Frankel (GB)–Mirabilis, by Lear Fan.
O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett.
$1,200,000.
3–Zagrey (Fr), 125, c, 4, Zarak (Fr)–Grey Anatomy (GB), by
Slickly (Fr). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€32,000 RNA Ylg '20
ARQSEP). O-Ecurie Altima & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-
Ecurie Euroling (Fr); T-Yann Barberot. $600,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2 1/4, 1 1/4.
Also Ran: Mostahdaf (Ire), Shahryar (Jpn), Win Marilyn (Jpn), Rebel's Romance (Ire), Russian Emperor (Ire), Botanik (Ire), Senor Toba (Aus). VIDEO.

Equinox is out of this world in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic for @christo68914587 & Tetsuya Kimura

G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic
G1 Tenno Sho
G1 Arima Kinen
Japan's latest superstar#イクイノックス | #競馬 pic.twitter.com/2MxwucWexJ

— Dubai Racing Club (@RacingDubai) March 25, 2023

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The recognizable chestnut, whose sire took this race back in 2016, made meteoric progress early on this season, winning in listed company over course and distance in January before besting the classy Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in all-the-way fashion in the G2 Kinko Sho and running the 2000 metres in a record time of 1:57.2. Only fifth to Potager (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) after setting the majority of the pace in the G1 Osaka Hai in April, Jack d'Oro was asked to settle off the speed of G1 Dubai Turf dead-heater Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and ran that one down in the shadow of the post to take the G2 Sapporo Kinen Aug. 21 (video, SC 4).

“The races take a lot out of him and the rotation going in to the Osaka Hai was tight,” trainer Kenichi Fujioka opined. “The ground was worse than I thought it'd be, and the early lap times were faster than I expected. Last start, he was a bit heavy, but this time his weight should be down. Physically, he's always been good, and I don't think he's changed much. Though he's become calmer, he switches on well. He has had good results at Tokyo 2000 meters and lots of experience to the left. I would say it's his best trip.”

JACK D'OR https://t.co/olmwsKQp2n

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) October 28, 2022

Leading the 3-year-old challenge is Equinox (Jpn), a son of 2017 Tenno Sho hero Kitasan Black (Jpn). A veteran of just four career starts, the Silk Racing colourbearer was a Group 2 winner at headquarters as a juvenile and contested the first two legs of this year's Classics, missing narrowly to Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in April and by even a slimmer margin to Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G1 Toyko Yushun (Japanese Derby) last time, with Geoglyph not running out the 2400 metres in seventh.

“This Wednesday, he breezed with two others on the woodchip flat course, and again, all looked good,” said trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “His footwork was excellent. The distance shouldn't be a problem. We will keep preparing him to bring out his best on raceday.”

Exciting 3c EQUINOX (Kitasan Black x Chateau Blanche (King Halo)) fast work 11 days out from mayhem in G1 2000m Tenno Sho

2nd in Derby at 4th race start

Lemaire “Beautiful light footwork, breathing nicely, maybe more powerful than the spring?” #JRA pic.twitter.com/pPVoA0BRcQ

— Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) October 20, 2022

The lightly raced Danon Beluga (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) sports a profile similar to Equinox, with a pair of wins from his four outings, including a defeat of Geoglyph in a Group 3 at this venue ahead of the Classics, but he was somewhat disappointing when fourth in both the Guineas and–as the 5-2 favourite–in the Derby.

Last year's Japanese Derby hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) makes his first start at home this season, having contributed to a massive Dubai World Cup program for Japan with a victory over GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic in March ahead of a forgettable effort when fifth to State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in June. The Sunday Racing runner clearly deserves his place in this field, but it can be argued that he'll be using this as a prep for next month's G1 Longines Japan Cup, in which he was third last season.

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