Tag Archive for: Japan

Varian hoping Charyn can be big in Japan on farewell appearance

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Roger Varian hopes Charyn has one last chapter to write of his sensational season when he bows out with an “away game” in the prestigious Mile Championship at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.

The son of Dark Angel will head to owner Nurlan Bizakov’s stud operation in France following his globetrotting mission to Japan and a race that has always been the preferred option for the colt’s career swansong after landing the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in style at Ascot.

That British Champions Day success was the fifth time the dashing grey has stuck gold in seven outings this term and having given his connections notable highlights such as a Royal Ascot victory and the Prix Jacques le Marois triumph to celebrate, his final act could well be his toughest, as he ventures to the Far East.

Varian is well aware of the task at hand, but is keen to embrace the challenge of taking on a racing powerhouse in their own backyard with Europe’s leading miler.

Varian said: “He’s been great this year and we’ve had a good journey with him. He’s given us some brilliant days and hopefully there is one more to come.

“The timing of this race worked well after Ascot and it is obviously going to be the last run of his career. He has come out of Ascot so well and we were always keen to come.

“It is a challenge and it’s a sporting challenge. It’s admirable of his owner Nurlan Bizakov to support that challenge. Nurlan is here and is very excited.

A big smile from Silvestre de Sousa as he returns aboard Charyn after the Prix Jacques le Marois
A big smile from Silvestre de Sousa as he returns aboard Charyn after the Prix Jacques le Marois (PA)

“We’re in a global industry and it’s not an easy place to come. The Japanese are very strong globally, but particularly when it is an away game and you are taking them on in their own back yard.

“It’s a very different style and tempo of racing and while Charyn is the highest-rated horse in the race, we’re not underestimating the challenge he faces.”

Although always held in the highest regard, Charyn was a Group-level winner at two, but did not get his head in front at three, despite a number of respectable efforts in deep waters, including against Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington.

However, it is iron constitution and steadfast temperament that has been often been credited as key to his flourishing at four, resulting in three victories at the highest level.

Those characteristics have once again come to the fore as he has made the long trip across the globe, where he will become Varian’s second runner after an unsuccessful tilt at the Japan Cup with Sri Putra in the early part of his training career.

“He’s in great form, he has an unbelievable temperament and a very relaxed mentality,” continued Varian.

“He’s took the long journey and quarantine in his stride. Of course, you never quite know until the gates open, but for all the world he looks in great nick and hopefully that proves to be the case.

“It’s nice to have a good one competing on Japanese soil and we keep our fingers crossed for Sunday.”

Charyn after winning at Royal Ascot
Charyn after winning at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

A central figure in Charyn’s rise to stardom this season has been the ever-present Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle.

However, there will be a replacement in play this weekend with Ryan Moore, who has already put Charyn through his paces since arriving in Japan, taking over steering duties.

“Ryan is going to ride him and that is due to Silvestre not being licensed by the JRA,” added Varian.

“It’s unfortunate for Silvestre that he is unavailable, but Ryan Moore is a pretty good substitute and knows these Japanese tracks very well.”

Equinox stars again with striking Takarazuka Kinen verdict

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Equinox made a blistering return to action, coming with a scything run to land the Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin racecourse on Sunday.

The Japanese star was sent off a hot favourite on his first start since romping to a wide-margin success in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

That three-and-a-half-length victory over Westover at Meydan established the Tetsuya Kimura-trained Equinox as the top horse on the planet according to the Longines World Best Racehorse standings.

On his return, Christophe Lemaire was patient towards the rear of the 17-strong field in the 11-furlong Grade One contest and was still at the back of the pack turning for home, having suffered a wide trip.

Yet the son of Kitasan Black always travelled sweetly and cruised into the lead approaching the final furlong.

Though he had just a neck to spare from outsider Through Seven Seas, the official margin was no reflection of the dominant performance, with his French rider having to pose few questions of the colt.

“Though we were unable get a good position toward the front due to the fast pace at the beginning, the horse was relaxed in the rear and I wasn’t worried at all,” said Lemaire.

“As the inner track condition was not so good, we made bid from the outside early and turned wide to the straight, where he stretched really well.

“Hanshin’s inner course is tricky and (the) Takarazuka Kinen is a difficult race to win, even for champion horses, so I’m very happy that I was able to win the race with the number one horse in the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. I realised again how strong he is. I hope to win more big races with him in the autumn.”

Equinox was completing his fourth successive top-class success, having previously taken the Tenno Sho and Arima Kinen last year before his Sheema Classic success.

Victory gives the four-year-old automatic entry to both the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley later this year, and the Breeders’ Cup Turf. It is unlikely that Equinox will be seen by British racegoers, however.

Nick Smith, Ascot’s director of racing and public affairs, poured cold water any thoughts of the possibility he could turn up the Berkshire track.

He said: “Sadly, the Japanese do not appear that interested in coming over. It is a shame, but we will still continue to strive to attract the best international runners to Ascot.”

Marquand would love chance to be big in Japan again

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Tom Marquand would love to return to Japan to ride again at the end of the British Flat racing season.

The 24-year-old, along with wife and fellow jockey Hollie Doyle, competed in the last two International Jockeys Championships in Hong Kong before heading to Japan for a nine-week stint.

It was the couple’s first trip to Japan, with Covid restrictions having scuppered their plans in 2021 – and the fervent Japanese fans instantly took them to their hearts.

After booting home 16 winners and securing a fourth-placed finish on Daring Tact in the Japan Cup and another Group One ride on Justin Palace in the Arima Kinen, Marquand cannot wait to get back, if invited.

“It is one of the places that everyone in racing should try to visit, just to see it,” he said.

“For as much as people can tell you about it, until you actually go and experience it for at least a couple of weeks, it is pretty mad.

“Everyone should try to get out there. Apart from the racing, it is an amazing country. I’d go back in a heartbeat.”

Marquand and Doyle, who is sidelined with a broken elbow sustained in a fall at Wolverhampton on January 16, will bid to apply to return at the end of the year.

“We will definitely try to go back this year,” he said.

“Sadly, it is not quite as straightforward as saying, ‘I want to go, I’ll go’, like Australia.

“But hopefully, the fact that we had a successful enough trip will help. The application for a licence is based on your success from the year previous, so it is based on what we have done in 2022 in England.

“We were joint second in the championship and you have to be top three in England and/or have ridden two major Group One winners. We both had three last year, so hopefully that will be enough to get back in.”