Tenno Sho (Autumn) (Group 1)

THE Tenno Sho, or Emperor’s Cup, is a biannual Group 1 race in the JRA, run in two seasonal variations. The spring edition is contested over 3,200m, while the autumn format is run over 2,000m.

A star-studded field of 17 runners, including seven individual Group 1 winners, went to post for the €2.6 million prize pool. Yutaka Take once again reminded everyone that he is still capable of producing on the biggest stage.

Victory aboard his old ally, Do Deuce, marked the 55-year-old capturing his 82nd JRA-Group 1 victory and a record seventh Tenno Sho (Autumn) title.

Starting from stall seven, Do Deuce broke evenly, but was quickly restrained to race at the rear of the field. Take remained motionless aboard the five-year-old as the field entered Tokyo’s gruelling home straight.

Approaching the final two-furlong marker, Do Deuce was unleashed towards the centre of the track. Reminiscent of his 2023 Arima Kinen victory, Do Deuce effortlessly began to pass his rivals, ultimately winning by a length and a quarter.

The 2023 Derby winner, Tastiera, finished second, with Ho O Biscuits another half-length back in third. The final time was 1:57.3, with Do Deuce posting a blistering last three-furlong sectional of 32.5 seconds.

Faded quickly

Race favourite Liberty Island was prominently positioned and loomed as a threat as the race began to unfold, but her challenge faded quickly, and the 2023 Triple Tiara winner finished 13th.

The winning veteran jockey praised his mount in his post-race interview: “I’m incredibly happy. I made up my mind early to rely on his final kick. Although the pace was slower than expected, I felt this was the best tactic. Once he began to accelerate off the bend, I was confident.

“He’s such a strong horse! Although he’s not always consistent, and I haven’t always guided him perfectly, I was determined to get him the result he deserved today.”

A son of Heart’s Cry, Do Deuce’s first Group 1 success came as a two-year-old in the Group 1 Asahi Hai Futurity, followed by a victory in the Tokyo Yushun at three.

Since then, his true ability has surfaced only occasionally. After a brilliant win in the 2023 Arima Kinen, he experienced a luckless run earlier this year in Meydan and a disappointing result in a rain-sodden Takarazuka Kinen.

Do Deuce is out of Dust And Diamonds, an American Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap winner and Grade 1 runner-up by Vindication.

Dust And Diamonds was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Sale in foal to Pioneerof The Nile for $1 million. Do Deuce was bred by Northern Farm and Kieffers Co Ltd and runs in the grey and white colours of Kieffers’ head, Masaaki Matsushima.

Now 16 years old, Dust And Diamonds has a colt foal by Contrail and a yearling filly by Silver State.

A STRONG contingent of 19 Japanese-trained runners has descended upon Del Mar racetrack, aiming to continue the international success that has become almost expected in recent years.

The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at Del Mar in 2021, Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine got on the scoreboard for the JRA stable of Yoshito Yahagi.

This year, the highest-profile Japanese runner also hails from Yahagi’s stable: Forever Young, currently third in the ante-post betting for the Classic.

Unbeaten on domestic dirt, Forever Young will be best recognised by international viewers for his part in a contentious barging match with Sierra Leone, when finishing a narrow third in the Kentucky Derby.

Joining him in the Classic will be Ushba Tesoro and 2023 runner-up Derma Sotogake. However, Derma Sotogake has not quite matched the form that brought him within a length of victory last year.

Awesome Result, in the Distaff, is a fascinating runner for the raiding party. Under the shrewd tutelage of Yasutoshi Ikee, the four-year-old daughter of Justify returns to her homeland with a perfect record of seven starts and seven wins.

In the same colours as Do Deuce, she will also be ridden by the evergreen Yutaka Take.

Ecoro Sieg is another potential star for Team Japan. He was due to run in last night’s Juvenile Turf and was as low as 4/1 to win.

The two-year-old colt is by Twirling Candy and was last seen on the track winning the Canna Stakes in a record time, to remain unbeaten on his second start.

THE 2020 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and 2019 French Derby winner, Sottsass, has been purchased by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association (JBBA) to take up duties at their stallion complex in Shizunai, Hokkaido.

The decision for their newest acquisition would have undoubtedly been encouraged by the exploits of Sottsass’ full-brother, Shin Emperor. A Group 3 winner as a juvenile, the €2.1m French import has been a model of consistency at Group 1 level. Shin Emperor has been placed in the Group 1 Hopeful Stakes, Japanese Derby, and the Irish Champion Stakes.

Sottsass will take up residence alongside several other international imports at the JBBA, such as Declaration Of War, Noble Mission, Sharp Azteca, and Caravaggio. Details of Sottsass’ stud fee are yet to be released.