Horse Racing

Japan’s horse of the year Efforia returns in Osaka Hai


The horse of the year of Japan’s reign, Efforiahad his eagerly awaited 4-year-old debut at Osaka Hai (G1) April 3 at Hanshin Racecourse after a three-month refresh.

Efforia is only undefeated after seven starts and hopes are high Epiphaneia colt can take its place among the Japanese stars who have been so dominant in recent international meetings since Del Mar to Dubai.

After starting twice as a juvenile, the foal has won four of her five races in 2021, including Satsuki Sho (Two thousand Japanese Guineas, G1), Tenno Sho (Autumn, G1). ) and Arima Kinen (G1), the last two on older horses.

His only loss was a second, an arrow later Shahryar at Tokyo Yushun (Derby Japan, G1). Shahryar went on to finish third in the Japan Cup (G1) and kicked off his 4-year-old season with a win on March 26 at the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

Coach Yuichi Shikato said of Efforia: “Last time he had a little nail problem. “It’s not a problem now. He’s been running with a good rhythm and everything is fine with him so far.”

Registration for

Efforia’s rider, Takeshi Yokoyama, also agreed with the coach’s assessment.

“In his last piece on this week’s woodchip course, he was very sharp, and went quite well between the two other horses that were training with him,” said Yokoyama. “He’s an easy horse to ride and he knows how to race.”

Efforia, get out Heart’s Cry mare Katie’s Heart, bred by Northern Farm and racing for Carrot Farm. His rise in the star ranks and last fall’s win over older horses give hope he will be the last to bring the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) trophy to the table. Japan.

Osaki Hai will be the early-season gauge for those opportunities. While many of Japan’s finest horses will need some time to recover from looting Dubai’s riches, the robust Osaka Hai, 16, still retains enough firepower to provide a decent test. France.

The field for the 2,000 meter test includes last year’s winner, Lei Papale a 5 year old child Deep impact mare finished second in the Kinko Sho (G2) match at Hanshin Racecourse. She has not won in five starts since Osaka Two in 2021 but finished a respectable sixth at the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) in December at Sha Tin Circuit.

Jack d & # 39;  Or win Kinko Sho on Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Chukyo at Chukyo Circuit in Japan
Photo: Courtesy of Japan Racing Association

Jack d’Or captures Kinko Sho at Chukyo Racecourse

Kinko Sho Winner, Jack d’Ora 4 year old child Maurice ponies, also lined up for Sunday’s race with a long winning streak of its own, and so did the third-place finisher. Akai Ito.

Lei Papale’s trainer, Tomokazu Takana, was very specific about the condition of his mare after she pulled out gate 14.

“She ran well in her last race, found a good rhythm and finished well,” he said. “She’s going up against last year’s top horse, so in a way she’s a challenger here, although as last year’s race winner I still have can be proud of that.”

Jack d’Or walks up to the class but his coach, Kenichi Fujioka, says the conditions should suit him.

Fujioka said of Jack d’Or: “He is honest in what he does and is very controllable. “He won a first race at Hanshin, and I think the track and distance are right for his leg. Having won the last five races, it’s clear that he’s improving and he’s improving. He deserves a chance to get into 1st grade.”

The race was conducted through the inner ring of the Hanshin lawn, starting in front of the stands, once around and a second time throughout.



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