Japan’s emergence in the Gulf as a racing powerhouse continues after they added the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan to last month’s triumph in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh.
That double-success underlined Japan’s status on the international racing circuit, particularly in a region expected to spread across Qatar and Bahrain and help establish a lucrative Gulf swing.
In 2022, Japan scooped four of the eight thoroughbred prizes on the Dubai World Cup night and Chuwa Wizard finished a creditable third behind the American pair Country Grammer and Hot Rod Charlie.
The Japanese runners achieved a similar result in the Saudi Cup meeting that year. They scooped four prizes and their horses filled the second and third spots in the Saudi Derby.
This time round at Meydan on Saturday, the Japanese runners filled more than half the field – eight of the 15 contenders – in the Dubai World Cup, and it played into their strength.
Ushba Tesoro under Yuga Kawada came from last to first to win from Algiers and Emblem Road to cap a memorable night for Japan.
The six-year-old son of the Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre, Ushba Tesoro had more than 15 lengths to make up in the early stage of the 2,000-metre race on Meydan’s dirt surface.
James Doyle and Algiers appeared to have the race in the bag when Kawada and Ushba Tesoro surged into the lead in spectacular fashion to win by a comfortable two and three quarter lengths.
Winning trainer Noboru Takagi said the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the one race Japan has yet to conquer and the one it covets most, will come under consideration later in the year.
“It's a great feeling! After watching his previous run [when winning the Kawasaki Kinen last month], the Dubai World Cup was certainly on my mind for this horse,” Takagi said.
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Yuga Kawada celebrates winning the Dubai World Cup on Ushba Tesoro. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, arrives at Meydan Racecourse to attend the Dubai World Cup. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Yuga Kawada after the trophy presentation by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Runners compete in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Isolate, ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, wins the $1million Group 2 Godolphin Mile. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Runners take a bend during the Dubai Kahayla Classic. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Hayyan, ridden by Oscar Chavez, won the $1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic after a photo finish to beat Ray Dawson on Barakka. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Kahayla was the first race of the day. Antonie Robertson/The National -
People arrive to catch the action. Antonie Robertson / The National -
It's a full house. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Racegoers study the form and fill in their Pick 7. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Racegoers study the form and fill in their Pick 7. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Suits, ties, hats and fascinators are a hallmark of the Dubai World Cup. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Visitors broke out their most stylish outfits for the day. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Spectators at the Dubai World Cup 2023. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Derma Sotogake, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, won the $1 million UAE Derby. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Jockey Ryan Moore on Broome overtakes William Buick on Siskany late in the race to win the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup. AFP -
Sibelius, right, with jockey Ryan Moore, beats Switzerland, left, under Tadhg O'Shea by a short head to win the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. AP -
Ryan Moore on Sibelius celebrates after narrowly beating Switzerland to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Reuters -
Spectators pray at the Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. The Dubai World Cup is taking place during Ramadan. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Frankie Dettori riding Lord North on his way to winning the $5 million Dubai Turf. Reuters -
Frankie Dettori celebrates after winning the $5 million Dubai Turf. Reuters -
Frankie Dettori holds up three fingers to represent his three consecutive victories in the Dubai Turf while riding Lord North. Getty -
Frankie Dettori performs his classic flying dismount from his horse after winning the Dubai Turf. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Christophe-Patrice Lemaire on Equinox celebrates winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, which brought $6 million in prize money. Reuters -
The main event at the Dubai World Cup is the $12 million final race of the day. Reuters -
Jockeys battle for glory. Reuters -
Yuga Kawada on Ushba Tesoro won the main event. Reuters -
Yuga Kawada on Ushba Tesoro celebrates their victory. Reuters
“Everything went as planned. Actually, when he first got here, he was quite nervous and a bit toey but that was expected and as the days went by he gradually got used to his environment and ran a great race. This is by far the greatest honour of my career.
“We will go back to Japan as he's a bit vulnerable in hot weather and heat. We'll see how he is over the summer and come up with a plan for him.”
Kawada was on Ushba Tesoro for the first time and admitted it was a tremendous honour to ride him.
“Thanks to the effort of the horse he fought on very well and I'm very proud of myself as the leading Japanese jockey by winning the leading race in the world today,” he said.
Japanese runners T O Keynes and Crown Pride finished fourth and fifth, ahead of local horse Bendoog and last year’s winner Country Grammer.
Last month’s Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa couldn’t do more than finish 10th after being drawn in the widest gate.
The connections of Algiers were graceful in defeat with Doyle saying he was delighted the way the horse ran.
“It was a first opportunity to run at this top level and he has acquitted himself magnificently,” he said.
“He travelled around like a superstar and it has been a lot from the top bend to the winning line, but his stamina just kind of drained at the end.”
Co-trainer Ed Crisford added: “He ran with great credit. James gave him a beautiful ride. He jumped well and turning in I thought we had it in the bag, but the last furlong he was just treading water a bit.
“Probably just got outstayed with the tempo of the race, but huge credit to the horse and my team at home and we should be proud. He ran his race there if not better.”
