Japanese raider Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is on course to attempt an ambitious Group 1 double in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe after coming through a racecourse gallop at Longchamp on Sunday morning.
Trained by Yoshito Yahagi, whose many international successes include a Breeders' Cup double in 2021, Shin Emperor was last seen in competitive action when finishing third in the G1 Japanese Derby in May. He arrived in Chantilly towards the end of last month and has slowly been building up his work ahead of his first assignment on European soil at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Connections of the three-year-old are confident that he's peaking at the right time as he tries to emulate full-brother Sottsass (Fr), who memorably won the Arc in 2020, having previously finished fourth in the Irish Champion. Shin Emperor himself was bought by Yahagi for €2.1 million at the Arqana August Yearling Sale.
Owner Susumu Fujita's racing manager Hiroshi Ando told Sky Sports Racing, “I spoke to both of the assistant trainers and the rider told them Shin Emperor adapted really well on the track and he said we could make no excuse for the ground. He felt really well and we are very satisfied.
“Of course, he has a French background and pedigree and that's why we are here. I have really realised Shin Emperor is French, because as soon as he was back in Chantilly, he reacted like he was back home! He looked very comfortable and he loved the French oats, which was a surprise, because normally the Japanese horses don't eat, but he ate very well. He's really loving being in France, I think.”
Ando added, “His full-brother Sottsass, I think he went to the Irish Champion Stakes, too, so we'll try to copy that, I guess. We thought that race is really good for us, so after galloping today, conditions should be good to go there, fitness-wise.
“Of course, we want to go to the Arc after that, so we have to manage his condition, but we will try our best for the Irish Champion Stakes, too.”
Regular pilot Ryusei Sakai will fly over to partner Shin Emperor and has been backed to handle such big tests.
“He is a very young jockey but he rode in the Kentucky Derby this year [beaten narrowly in third], he also won the UAE Derby and the Saudi Derby with Forever Young, so he's a very talented young jockey,” said Ando.
“Also, he won two years ago at Longchamp, so we don't have any issue with that.”
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