Tag Archive for: Danon Decile

Delacroix and Ombudsman part of six-strong Juddmonte International field

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A fascinating six-runner field has been declared for the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday, headlined by a rematch between Delacroix and Ombudsman.

The pair met in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, where Ryan Moore conjured a tremendous last-gasp effort from Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix to deny the John and Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman.

Ombudsman had earlier been very impressive in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the four-year-old has yet to finish out of the first two in seven career starts.

Delacroix followed the traditional Ballydoyle Derby route to Epsom, winning the two Leopardstown trials, but never looked happy in the premier Classic. Back at 10 furlongs last time out, he showed this true colours.

The race truly lives up to its International name this year, with Danon Decile having travelled over from Japan for the contest. He was last seen beating subsequent King George winner Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic.

Daryz, from the same Francis-Henri Graffard stable as last year’s runner-up Calandagan, represents the Aga Khan Studs, aiming to be the first French-trained winner since Triptych in 1987.

Andrew Balding’s See The Fire, a 12-length winner of the Middleton Stakes over course and distance earlier in the season, is another with strong claims.

Birr Castle, supplemented last week, is set to play the role of pacemaker for Ombudsman.

Seven go to post in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, where dual Derby winner Lambourn is the standout.

O’Brien’s colt faces three stablemates in Mount Kilimanjaro, Stay True and Thrice, while Paddy Twomey’s Carmers, the unbeaten Queen’s Vase winner, could give him plenty to think about and Dante winner Pride Of Arras aims to bounce back after being gelded.

Coolmore and Godolphin face off in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, with Italy and Distant Storm respectively in a field of eight.

International challenger Danon Decile enjoys gallops spin

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Japanese raider Danon Decile stepped up his Juddmonte International Stakes preparations with his first piece of work since arriving in Newmarket on Friday morning.

The Dubai Sheema Classic winner is a temporary resident at James Horton’s Beech Hurst Stables in the heartland of British racing ahead of his mouthwatering York clash with Eclipse one-two Delacroix and Ombudsman.

He had his first canter up the famous Warren Hill in the company of trainer Shogo Yasuda, who is pleased by how his charge has settled into his new surroundings and also has no concerns about reverting to a mile and a quarter after his Group One strike over further in Dubai.

Yasuda said: “We did travel very well, so we’re very satisfied.

Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket
Danon Decile making himself at home in Newmarket (York Racecourse)

“My training plan between the two weeks from here to York, the main thing is to take care of his mind – make him happy.

“I’m not concerned for the shorter distance. I believe he’s got a lot of experience from racing. I’m not worried about the drop in distance. He can adjust pace.”

Danon Decile is a five-time winner who will arrive at the Knavesmire in search of a hat-trick in the £1.25milllion feature of the Ebor Festival’s opening day after his Meydan win followed a valuable triumph in his homeland.

The four-year-old is as short as 4-1 with some bookmakers to scoop the prestigious Group One and he will be the second Japanese challenger in as many years to venture to Yorkshire after Durezza finished fifth in a race recognised as officially the best in the world 12 months ago.

Danon Decile ready to go in search of International honours

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Japanese star Danon Decile has completed his final workout before leaving for the UK and his bid for glory in the Juddmonte International at York on August 20.

The four-year-old was put through his paces at Ritto Training Centre and was ridden by his trainer, Shogo Yasuda.

Danon Decile won the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April, beating the top-class Calandagan, who has won two Group Ones since, by a length and a quarter.

“We wanted to see how well he could settle behind another horse while going left-handed, and also get a sense of how much pressure he can handle once he’s over there (in the UK). He’s handled the heat well and managed his time leading up to quarantine smoothly,” Yasuda told Japan’s Daily Sports.

“He’s matured since the Dubai trip, but there’s still a bit of youth in him. If he can grow from this experience, I’m excited about what’s to come.”

‘Fantasy racing’ for York with Japanese superstar in Juddmonte International mix

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Danon Decile, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic for Japan, was the surprise name among 28 entries for the Juddmonte International at York on August 20 – and excitement is already building on the Knavesmire.

Last year’s Japanese Derby winner travelled to Dubai as something of an unknown quantity having subsequently finished only sixth in the Japanese St Leger, after which he was a close third in the Arima Kinen and won a Group Two.

Relatively unconsidered in the betting for the Sheema Classic, he beat Calandgan by a length and a quarter in the Meydan feature, with Rebel’s Romance adding substance to the form in fourth.

Should he make the journey he may be joined from Japan by Tenno Sho winner Redentor.

York’s chief executive William Derby said: “It’s hugely exciting and I’m thrilled that we’ve got two entries from Japan.

“Obviously I saw him in Dubai when he won the Sheema Classic, he was devastating that night and he’s among the top three (rated) turf horses in the world.”

The 10-furlong Group One was again officially the best race in the world last year, when City Of Troy beat Calandagan, and while the winner is now at stud the runner-up could be back for Francis-Henri Graffard who has also entered his hugely exciting three-year-old Daryz.

Field Of Gold for the sponsors, Ombudsman, Lead Artist, Detain and the unexposed Nahraan give John and Thady Gosden an enviable hand.

Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, Los Angeles, Lambourn, Minnie Hauk and Whirl are part of Aidan O’Brien’s squad.

City Of Troy beat Calandagan in last year's Juddmonte International
City Of Troy beat Calandagan in last year’s Juddmonte International (Mike Egerton/PA)

The 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, Almaqam and Anmaat, all entered for the Eclipse this weekend, are engaged.

Derby went on: “It’s so exciting for our flagship race, that was rated the Longines best race in the world last year, to have such a potential field.

“We hope success breeds success and with prize-money of £1.25million it’s put us on a global stage.

“With Field Of Gold and many others in there it looks like the best turf middle-distance horses in the world could be heading our way, at this early stage, admittedly.

“It was great to see Calandagan finally get his Group One at the weekend having run a blinder behind City Of Troy last year, he could be back again, but his stablemate has been mentioned for the race and he looks very exciting.”

All the major races at the Ebor meeting have closed for entries, including a new Group One in the Pattern, the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

“I’m delighted to see such a strong entry for that,” said Derby.

“There’s Lazzat, Inisherin, Quinault, who won on Saturday, and one horse who did catch my eye was The Lion in Winter who would be dropping back in trip.

“The Nunthorpe looks as good as ever and it was so nice to see Jim Goldie and Paul Mulrennan win at Royal Ascot with American Affair. Having won a handicap at our Dante meeting just in May, it would be some story if he can win the Nunthorpe a few months later.

“The Yorkshire Oaks has all the fillies you would expect like Aidan’s Minnie Hauk and Whirl among the three-year-olds and then there’s David O’Meara’s Estrange who looked exciting at Haydock.

“It’s that time when you play fantasy racing. I know they won’t all turn up, but we’re excited about the prospect of some of them turning up.”