One of the key pointers to the G1 Dubai World Cup in March went to Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on Thursday. The 6-year-old gelding stalked and pounced on his foes before sustaining a determined late drive in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 at Meydan. Able to secure a handy spot in third [...]

Fine Rouge (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) made it two on the bounce with a come-from-behind victory in the G3 Fairy S. at Nakayama on Monday. Third choice on the board at 9-2, the bay outkicked fellow closers Ho O Ixelles (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) by 2 ½ lengths, while Bella Nova (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) took third another [...]

Pixie Knight (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) caused an upset in the G3 Nikkan Sports Sho Shinzan Kinen at Chukyo on Sunday. He led home an exacta for his sire, former Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn), 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Rooks Nest (Jpn), who was 3/4 to the good of Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna [...]

In Moment of 2020, the staff of TDN Europe reflect on their favourite moments in racing for the year. Future Classic winner Kameko (Kitten's Joy) first came on my radar with his nose second in the G3 Solario S. in August of 2019 after winning on debut at Sandown in July. I especially noticed the [...]

Omega Perfume (Jpn) (Swept Overboard) completed a unique hat trick with his narrow win in Tuesday's 2000-metre G1 Tokyo Daishoten. He is the first Japanese horse to win the same Group 1 race three years in a row. Outfooted early in the initial charge from the stalls, the grey rated in eighth three off the [...]

The fans' selection proved spot on in Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama, with 3-2 favourite Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) snapping up her third Group 1 by a neck. The field is selected by fan poll, and Sunday Racing's mare defeated Salacia (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), with that foe a neck in front of [...]

White wonder Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) became the first of her colour to score at the highest level in Japan with a narrow win in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on Sunday. Deep Impact (Jpn)'s Satono Reinas (Jpn) was only a nose behind in third with Uberleben (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) a neck back in third. [...]

Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) posted a mild upset as the 12-1 fourth choice in the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Sunday. The 1800-metre race was the second group win for the 5-year-old entire. The Northern Farm-bred sat in between horses in midpack while Air Almas (Majestic Warrior) and Inti (Jpn) (Came Home) [...]

The 2020 G1 Japan Cup delivered on its billing as primarily a three-way battle between 2018 Fillies' Triple Crown Winner Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and this year's undefeated pair of Triple Crown hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and 2020 Fillies' Triple Crown victress Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). The 2400-metre contest went [...]

Although she left it until late, Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) displayed a scintillating turn of foot once she found running room to rush by her rivals and claim the G1 Mile Championship at Hanshin on Sunday. It was the fourth Group 1 win for the daughter of Breeders' Cup heroine Tapitsfly and she [...]

The undefeated SW Café Pharoah (American Pharoah), the even-money pick in Tokyo's 1600-meter G3 Unicorn S., made that price look like a gift on Sunday, as he won that Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier by five easy lengths and set a new stakes record in the process (1:34.90). Dieu du Vin (Jpn) (Declaration [...]

Sunday Racing's Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) booked her ticket to the Breeders' Cup while defeating nine other Group 1 winners in the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday. The 1600-metre feature is a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in November. It was 2 1/2 [...]