Japanese horses achieved notable success at the 2025 Dubai World Cup on Saturday, April 5.
In the 29th marquee extravaganza at Meydan Racecourse, Danon Decile, Soul Rush and Admire Daytona secured victories for trainers Shogo Yasuda, Yasutoshi Ikee and Yukihiro Kato, respectively.
It was a busy day of high-profile racing in the United Arab Emirates, with 102 entrants from 13 nations competing in nine races, including 24 Japanese horses (entered in seven races) and a total purse of $30.5 million USD (more than ¥4.4 billion JPY).
Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, general manager of the Emirates Racing Authority, issued a statement summing up the significance of racing day on Saturday in Dubai.
"The Dubai World Cup continues to stand out globally, bringing together the elite of horses, owners, trainers and jockeys," Al Shehhi was quoted as saying by the Emirates News Agency. "With its world-class organization, massive spectator turnout and hundreds of millions of viewers following the nine races … it remains a global benchmark in the industry."
Danon Decile Romps to Victory in Dubai Sheema Classic
With veteran jockey Keita Tosaki piloting Danon Decile, the 4-year-old colt triumphed by 1¼ lengths in the 2,410-meter turf event, the day's next-to-last race.
Danon Decile, winner of the 2024 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), was clocked in 2 minutes, 27.05 seconds.
Irish entrant Calandagan placed second, followed by Japan's Durezza (Christophe Soumillon) in the nine-horse event.
"He was a little excited when I straddled him but he was calm in his stall and I thought he raced well," Tosaki said of Danon Decile after the race, according to the Japan Racing Association's recap of the day's competition in Dubai. The distance was the same as the Japanese Derby. So I was hoping he could run a similar race.
"We were up against a tough field. But I believed in his talent, that he didn't take a backseat among some really good horses. I'm really glad we won and that we were able to prove Danon Decile's ability."
Soul Rush Holds Off Romantic Warrior in Dubai Turf
Seven-year-old Soul Rush outran Irish superhorse Romantic Warrior, who is the same age, by the narrowest of margins ― a nose ― to claim first place in the 1,800-meter Dubai Turf.
Soul Rush, piloted by Italian Cristian Demuro, was thrilled with the outcome against jockey James McDonald's high-profile ride.
"He beat the best horse in the world, Romantic Warrior, so I think you can say it was his best race ever. He felt good throughout and fought till the end," Demuro said. "I'm super happy. Dubai World Cup Day is special and I feel blessed to be able to come here every year."
He then said, "I'm so glad I had an opportunity to be aboard a very good horse."
Admire Daytona Edges Heart of Honor in G2 UAE Derby
In a race that went down to the wire, Drefong progeny Admire Daytona won the 1,900-meter G2 UAE Derby by a nose over Britain's Heart of Honor.
French jockey Christophe Lemaire handled the challenge of this high-pressure competition with poise and skillful riding.
Placing third behind Admire Daytona and Heart of Honor was Don in The Mood, another Japanese entrant (ridden by rising star Ryusei Sakai), a further two lengths adrift of the runner-up.
With the win, the 3-year-old Admire Daytona clinched a berth in the 151st Kentucky Derby, which is set for May 3 at Churchill Downs.
"We drew an inside barrier. I thought we should run with it because we head straight into a turn," Lemaire told reporters after his Dubai World Cup day triumph. "He was able to relax being on the lead and run at his own rhythm. There was a lot of pressure on us. But he didn't panic and was focusing on the race."
Lemaire added, "He fought hard on the home stretch and it was close ― but we managed to come out ahead. Good that we were able to go wire-to-wire in Dubai."
Editor's note: For a complete rundown on how Japanese horses fared in the nine Dubai World Cup races, see JRA News' report.
RELATED:
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- A Super Saturday for Japanese Horse Racing in Dubai
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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