FOR much of 2024, Japan’s racing scene seemed to lack the dominant force or “Hero” that fans have come to almost expect.

Spoiled by a consistent stream of champions in recent years- JRA heavyweights like Equinox, Contrail, Kitasan Black, and Almond Eye - the attention of the millions of racing enthusiasts was scattered across a myriad of runners.

The first half of the season underlined this unpredictability, with 12 different horses claiming victory in the 12 JRA-Group 1 races on offer.

Hopes were high that Do Deuce would return to the force of old to become the equine poster boy for JRA racing in 2024, but his year began on a frustrating note.

Unlucky in the Dubai Turf and thwarted by heavy ground in the Takarazuka Kinen, he struggled to replicate the level of form that closed his 2023 campaign with a commanding victory in the Group 1 Arima Kinen.

However, Do Deuce found redemption in the autumn. Returning to his very best form, he delivered in emphatic style in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), reminding fans that his ability remained intact.

That momentum carried into the Japan Cup, where he produced a career best performance against the best horses Japan had to offer, and bolstered by a trio of international challengers.

For a horse whose career had been marked by inconsistency, it was the first time the son of Heart’s Cry secured back-to-back wins since December 2021.

Do Deuce’s return to form, coupled with his partnership with veteran jockey Yutaka Take, who boasts a cult-like following in his own right, has added yet another layer of public intrigue.

The success they have enjoyed this autumn has elevated Do Deuce’s reputation beyond traditional racing fans, capturing the attention and support of the wider public.

With his retirement to the breeding shed already confirmed at the end of the year, Do Deuce has one last opportunity to further cement his legacy by becoming a back-to-back winner of the Arima Kinen.

Regardless of the outcome, his title as JRA Horse of the Year seems all but assured.

The champion jockey title again goes to Christophe Lemaire with Yasuo Tomomichi leading trainer on prize money won.

IN recent history, few horses have dominated Japan’s dirt racing scene as consistently as Lemon Pop. The six-year-old colt, trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka for Godolphin Japan, concluded his stellar career with a second consecutive victory in the Group 1 Champions Cup in early December.

Lemon Pop’s domestic career was a model of reliability and brilliance. Ignoring two overseas blemishes, he retires with an extraordinary domestic record of 13 wins and three seconds from 16 starts, with earnings surpassing €4.8 million.

Lightly-raced, Lemon Pop traversed between racing in the JRA and the NAR, winning three top-tier races under each jurisdiction.

The son of Lemon Drop Kid was purchased as a weanling by Japan-based Paca Paca Farm on behalf of Godolphin Japan for just $70,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

His final JRA-Group 1 triumph provided a fitting conclusion to a career defined by consistency and class.

Lemon Pop has now retired to Darley Japan’s Stallion Station on Hokkaido, where he will commence covering duties in the 2025 breeding season. As one of the most exciting additions to Japan’s stallion roster in recent years, breeders eagerly await details of his nomination fee.

TWO-year-old racing in the JRA runs from early June to December, the condensed six-month programme ensures that the title of Leading First Season Sire is always hotly contested.

2024 has proven to be the perfect example of this, with the competition for the top spot still between three horses with just a few weeks remaining.

While two Group 1 races for juveniles are still up for grabs, American import and dirt specialist, Nadal (Blame), is currently in place to claim the throne of leading young sire. Le Vent Se Leve (Symboli Kris S) and Saturnalia (Lord Kanaloa) sit narrowly behind in second and third.

Among other stallions to have their stock rise in 2024 is Admire Mars, relative to expectation, he is arguably the standout sire the year.

Boasting the highest average earnings index from the top 10, Admire Mars has produced 16 winners of 19 races from 42 runners, including the unbeaten Rouge Lanakila. Shadai Stallion Station has since doubled his fee to €31,000 for 2025. A special mention must be given to Irish-import, Siskin. From a crop of just seven registered foals, Siskin has managed to produce three individual JRA winners of four races from five runners. His sole blacktype winner, Teleos La La, was third in the Group 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Siskin had 46 registered foals in his second crop.

THIS summer, Japan was plagued by record-high temperatures across the country, creating significant challenges for horses, spectators, and staff.

In response, the JRA introduced a series of measures to combat the extreme heat on race days. These changes included earlier start times, cooling areas for both horses and jockeys, and incorporating a break during the middle of the day.

Never to miss an opportunity to increase interaction between fans and racing, the JRA offered special activities during the midday siesta to entertain the crowds, including behind-the-scenes tours and parade ring walks for the public.

The success of these initiatives was obvious, with a large increase in year-on-year attendances during summer race days, often resulting in double-digit percentage increases.