THE pinnacle of Group 1 racing in the Land of the Rising Sun, the Japan Cup was on offer for the 43rd time over 2,400 metres at Tokyo Racecourse last Sunday, November 26th.

It is a race that consistently graduates from the sporting pages to routinely appearing on the front pages on mainstream publications and frequent televised promotions and preview shows with celebrities and racing professionals alike speculating on the possible results.

The 2023 edition of the Japan Cup, for much of the year, has been an argument of ‘will they, won’t they?’ as to whether champions, Equinox and Liberty Island would collide on the track.

A similar question that was argued before Contrail, Almond Eye and Daring Tact all lined up for the Japan Cup in 2020.

Equinox, a two-time Group 1 winner in 2022, propelled himself to the summit of the International Best Horse Rankings with a devastating win in the Dubai Sheema Classic in Meydan earlier this year. He returned to JRA action with a workmanlike performance when winning the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen in June.

Facile winner

The imposing four-year-old started his autumn campaign when running out a facile winner of the Group 1 Tenno Sho, smashing the track record time.

Three-year-old filly, Liberty Island has been an irrepressible force within her own generation this year. She completed the coveted feat of winning all three classic races for the finer sex, hardly coming off the bridle in any of the races.

Liberty Island received a 2kg sex allowance and another 2kg as a three-year-old competing against older horses in the Japan Cup. Initially, it had been feared that the presence of both Liberty Island and Equinox would result in a record low number of entrants for Japan’s most prestigious race.

However, in typical JRA fashion, a full field of 18 runners went to post, including a total of eight individual Group 1 winners. Almost as if planned, the two main protagonists found themselves drawn beside each other in stalls one and two.

As the stalled opened, a battle-like cry erupted from the grandstands from the 85,866 in attendance. True to form, Panthalassa pinged the gate and blasted his way to the front, extending his advantage to almost a furlong along the backstretch. Titleholder raced isolated in second with Equinox travelling effortlessly in third with Liberty Island tracking his every move.

As the ever-game Panthalassa hit the three-furlong marker it was clear that his energy reserves were faltering as the chasing pack loomed large.

Titleholder briefly threatened to make a bid for the lead before being swallowed by Equinox, as Lemaire eased into second gear. A quick shake of the reins at the 300m mark by Lemaire and the race was over as a contest.

Titleholder, Liberty Island, and Stars On Earth could not live with Equinox’s relentless acceleration, they squabbled amongst themselves for the minor placings.

The history books will show Equinox as a four-length winner, but in reality, had Lemaire displayed any aggression the winning distance could have been in the double digits. Liberty Island finished second with Stars On Earth and William Buick a further length behind in third.

Incredible acceleration

An obviously emotional Lemaire exclaimed in his post-race interview, “Unbelievable! I was shocked how well he reacted in the home straight, incredible acceleration. I’m speechless!” the French-born rider, who currently sits on top of the JRA Jockey Rankings gave further insight to his intentions and instructions.

“I planned to sit behind in third or fourth behind Panthalassa and Titleholder, the two pace horses of the race. He jumped well and from that point I never had a worry.”

Lemaire finally went on to describe his feeling on what it’s like to ride Equinox. “He’s just a super horse, he gives me so much confidence. Clever, relaxed, and always calm to ride. He is such an easy horse, anybody could ride him like a pony. I’m just so grateful.”

He continued: “The atmosphere created by the fans was fantastic and made the already great occasion even more special for me. I would like to thank all of Equinox’s connections, they have done such a brilliant job.

“We have become the world’s best, thank you.” Trainer Tetsuya Kimura, usually a man of few words, commented: “He arrived today in very good form. The pressure has been getting bigger and bigger with each run, this time was the biggest ever. Equinox has a perfect natural balance and we do our best not compromise it. Thank you!”

No official release from owners’ club, Silk Racing Co Ltd., has been made public as to Equinox’s next target or even whether the superstar colt would even race on into 2024.

Speculation has been rife within racing and breeding circles that his Japan Cup engagement may well have been the final time we got to see Equinox do what he does best - making genuine Group 1 performers look like moderate handicappers.

It is the industry norm and expectation that a horse is expected to run until the end of his five-year-old season, providing being injury free. However, like so many other records, it appears Equinox has broken yet another expectation.

Timeform increased their rating of the Japanese superstar to 136 (from 135) with Arc winner Ace Impact their next best on 133.

Stud career

Late on Thursday afternoon, Silk Racing Co. Ltd, announced that Equinox will be retired from racing with immediate effect. Earlier in the morning, the JRA gave the Japan Cup victor a rating of 133 for his win. Equinox’s trainer, Tetsuya Kimura, reported that his stable star was tired after his Cup exploits, and he believes that it would be impossible for him to recover in time for the Arima Kinen.

Equinox will be moved to Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido, to begin preparations for his new career. A stud fee and a retirement ceremony will be announced. The son of Kitasan Black retires as a six-time Group 1 winner and an eight-time winner from 10 starts in total. He earned a staggering €13.8m in his short racing career at today’s conversion rate. However, in Japanese Yen terms, his Japan Cup win makes him the highest earning horse in JRA history.

Liberty Island, a sensational racing specimen in her own right even with a 4kg allowance lost very little in her four-length defeat. 2024 will no doubt prove to be a hugely exciting and successful year for the star filly.