Tag: jra

Undefeated ‘Water’ Looks for Group 1 Glory

In the hunt for a first Group 1 badge, a robust field of juveniles line up for the 73rd running of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Sunday. The field includes a quartet of group scorers, headed by Water Navillera (Jpn) (Silver State), undefeated in three starts at three different racecourses, including her latest win in the Nov. 6 G3 Kyoto Sho Fantasy S. It was the first graded victory by the progeny of Silver State, whose short but successful career (four wins from five starts) ended early due to tendonitis.

Trained at Ritto by former jockey Koshiro Take and pegged to be ridden by elder brother Yutaka, success Sunday would bring Koshiro his first Group 1 victory since opening his stable in 2018. Yutaka has (from 21 bids) only one win of the race, back in 1994 with Yamanin Paradise when the race was known as the Hanshin Sansai Himba S.

Looking to turn the tables on the likely favorite is Namura Clair (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), winner of the Group III Kokura Nisai S. before following up with a second behind winner Water Navillera last out in the Nov. 6 G3 Fantasy S. Trainer Kodai Hasegawa said, “She can react rather strongly to horses coming up from behind, so I've had her wear a hood to calm her. She has let off steam, is looking good, and she improves with a race. I don't think the mile is out of reach. How well she can settle will be key.”

Third in her career bow at Niigata in August, Circle of Life (Jpn) (Epihaneia {Jpn}) broke through with a solid win at Nakayama Sept. 20 before stepping up successfully in Tokyo's G3 Artemis S. Oct. 30.

“Her workout on Dec. 2 was a hard one and since then she's only been breezed,” said trainer Sakae Kunieda. “I'd like her to have a bit more distance but with the long stretch of the Hanshin outer course, there shouldn't be any problems.”

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Efforia Earns Landmark Win in Tenno Sho Autumn

In what would become the battle of the favorites, Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) proved best on the day, winning Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho Autumn at Tokyo. With the victory in the 2000-meter test, the colt became the first 3-year-old to win the race since Symboli Kris S won the event in 2002. Sent off as the third betting choice, Efforia settled in a comfortable sixth early as longshot Kaiser Minoru (Jpn) led the way while second choice Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and an overly-eager Tosu Surya (Jpn) (Lohengrin) were in close pursuit. Still coasting in behind horses as Gran Alegria collared the stubborn Kaiser Minoru and gradually inched ahead in early stretch, the third choice closed with purpose down the center of the course, and despite favored Contrail (Jpn)'s (Deep Impact {Jpn}) best effort to the extreme outside late, it was the sophomore who held a length advantage over 2020 Triple Crown hero Contrail with champion last season's champion sprinter/miler Gran Alegria a neck back in third.

“We were able to race in an ideal position and I didn't insist on the inner course as I knew that he can handle it even if we had to turn a little wider. While the COVID-19 crisis is still lingering, the number of spectators is gradually increasing and I am grateful that we were able to win the race in front of many fans,” commented Takeshi Yokoyama.

Winner of this season's G3 Kyodo News Hai over 1,800 meters in February, the bay returned to annex his fourth consecutive score in the 2,000-meter G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) in April. In his most recent start, he faced loss for the first time, finishing second in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in May.

“I cried with joy for the first time in my life, as I was very disappointed following the result of the Derby [last time], admitted Yokoyama. “He's a talented and smart horse, so I decided to believe in his ability and ride him without thinking too much.”

Out of the Heart's Cry (Jpn) mare Katies Heart (Jpn), the colt is trained by Yuichi Shikato, who was capturing his third JRA Group 1 title of the season. With the victory in Sunday's Tenno Sho (Autumn), Takeshi Yokoyama became the third generation horseman to win the race, his grandfather and former jockey Tomio, who won the title in 1969 and his father and active jockey Norihiro, who accomplished the feat in 2009.

Sunday, Tokyo, Japan
TENNO SHO AUTUMN-G1, ¥290,800,000, Tokyo, 10-31, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.90, fm.
1–EFFORIA (JPN), 123, c, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)
1st Dam: Katies Heart (Jpn), by Heart's Cry (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Katies First, by Kris (GB)
3rd Dam: Katies (Ire), by Nonoalco
O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Yuichi Shikato; J-Takeshi
Yokoyama; ¥153,360,000. Lifetime Record: 6-5-1-0. Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*
2–Contrail (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Deep Impact(Jpn)–Rhodochrosite, by
Unbridled's Song. O-Shinji Maeda; B-North Hills; ¥60,960,000.
3–Gran Alegria (Jpn), 123, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn)–Tapitsfly,
by Tapit. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥38,480,000.
Margins: 1, NK, 1 3/4; Odds: 2.40, 1.50, 1.80.
Also Ran: Sanrei Pocket (Jpn), Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), Potager (Jpn), Persian Knight (Jpn), Last Draft (Jpn), You Can Smile (Jpn), Muito Obrigado (Jpn), World Premiere (Jpn), Curren Bouquetd'or (Jpn), Mozu Bello (Jpn), Kaiser Minoru (Jpn), Tosen Surya (Jpn), Cadenas (Jpn).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the JRA chart and video.

 

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Japan Expected To Send Six Breeders’ Cup Contenders To Del Mar

A total of six contenders from Japan are expected for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. Four are from the barn of trainer Hideyuki Mori, while the other two are conditioned by Yoshito Yahagi.

The Mori contingent includes:

  • Jasper Great (Juvenile) – This 2-year-old son of Arrogate won on debut over 1 1/8 miles at Hanshin on Oct. 9.
  • Jasper Prince (Dirt Mile) – A 6-year-old son of Violence who contested the pace in last year's Sprint at Keeneland, and won the listed Enif Stakes at Chukyo on Sept. 11.
  • Pingxiang (Dirt Mile) – The 4-year-old son of Speightstown traveled to the U.S. last year but did not draw into the Sprint. He has won several allowance races this year.
  • Matera Sky (Sprint) – A 7-year-old son of Speightstown who ran eighth in the Sprint at Santa Anita in 2019, and has run second in the G1 Golden Shaheen and two editions of the Saudi Sprint.

Yahagi's contenders are:

  • Loves Only You (Filly & Mare Turf) – A 5-year-old daughter of Deep Impact, this mare owns victories in the the 2019 G1 Japanese Oaks and this year's G1 FWD QE II Stakes.
  • Marche Lorraine (Distaff) – A 5-year-old daughter of Orfevre, winner of the Empress Hai.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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Racing’s Future In The Spotlight During Virtual IFHA Conference

Thursday featured the launch of the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Held virtually for the second consecutive year, the 2021 Conference examines global racing's evolution and future challenges. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the official partner of this year's Conference.

Video of the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities is available on the IFHA's website and social media platforms. Podcasts of the speakers are also available.

The keynote speech was given by incoming IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, who was recently elected as the new head of the Federation following Louis Romanet's retirement. Following his speech, the Conference featured panels on digitalization and media; equine welfare; and climate change and sustainability. The Conference concluded with a tribute to Romanet, who is retiring after 27 years as Chairman and who was appointed to the honorary position of Chairman Emeritus effective Oct. 4, 2021.

“The 55th International Conference of the IFHA comes at a most significant time for our sport and the world,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We face major macro challenges arising from the pandemic and climate change. More than ever, we must work together and harness the wealth of talent and expertise within our membership to not only face these challenges, but ensure that our sport thrives in the short, medium, and long term.

“This Conference gives us the opportunity to look forward at some key parts of the IFHA's strategy for the future. We are fortunate to have world-class speakers sharing their insights regarding digitalization and media, equine welfare, climate change and sustainability.”

Guest speakers at this year's Conference included Michael Mulvihill, executive vice president, head of strategy and analytics at FOX Sports; Jamie Stier, chair of the IFHA Horse Welfare Committee and Racing Victoria's executive general manager, integrity services; Di Arbuthnot, the chief executive for Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) and chair of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR); and Allen Hershkowitz, a founding director and chairman of Sport and Sustainability International and environmental science advisor to the New York Yankees. Respected presenter Rishi Persad returned this year to serve as moderator.

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organised and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. Since 1994, the annual conference has been organised by the IFHA at France Galop. In 2019, the Conference convened delegates from more than 50 different countries with a number of other racing executives and media members in attendance. Historically held the day after the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), the Conference transitioned to a virtual format in 2020 as the result of COVID-19.

About IFHA

The IFHA is the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, seeking to promote all facets of the worldwide sport; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations.

Major areas of the IFHA's activities include:

  • Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
  • Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
  • International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
  • World Rankings
  • The fight against Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
  • Harmonization of Racing Rules
  • Certification of IFHA Reference Labs
  • Promoting commercial development of the racing industry globally

The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

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