Articles

Welcome back to our Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net, where we spotlight standout performances from Japan’s racing scene. This week, the honour goes to the veteran Win Carnelian, who stunned at Nakayama in Sunday’s G1 Sprinters Stakes to deliver both a career-defining result and a long-awaited milestone for his jockey.

Sunday’s JRA action is headlined by the Sprinters Stakes (1200m, G1) at Nakayama - the Autumn sprint championship and the first Group 1 of the fall season. This year’s renewal brings together the best of Japan’s homegrown speed with international flair, as Hong Kong star Lucky Sweynesse crosses swords with domestic standouts Satono Reve, Mama Cocha, Namura Clair, and defending champion Lugal.

Welcome back to our Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net, where we spotlight standout performances from Japan's racing scene. This week, the honour goes to the exciting Eri King, who laid down a marker for the Group 1 Kikuka Sho next month, emulating his sire, Kizuna, in the process.

Croix du Nord, Japan’s leading three-year-old colt and the 2025 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner, will make his European debut this Sunday in the Prix du Prince d’Orange (G3, 2000m) at Longchamp. This race will serve as his only continental prep before the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 5, where he carries the burden of national ambition: to achieve what no Japanese horse has yet done - win the Arc.

When Shin Emperor contests the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, he enters not only as a colt of exceptional pedigree and promise, but also as a central figure in Japan’s ongoing pursuit of victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This year, however, the challenge is shared: three other Japanese contenders are also being aimed at the Arc, highlighting the nation’s increasing influence on the European racing stage.

Welcome back to our Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net, where we spotlight standout performances from Japan's racing scene. This week, the honour goes to the brilliant newcomer Magna Victor, whose jaw-dropping debut at Hanshin on Saturday instantly marked him as a colt with the potential to shake up the dirt division - not just in Japan, but possibly beyond.

Sunday’s JRA action brings a fascinating contrast between pure speed and emerging middle-distance class across two feature G2 races.

Two races, two very different stories - one about unproven potential, the other about proven class - but both promise to shape the narrative as the autumn season builds momentum.

Japan’s late-maturing stayer Byzantine Dream enters the G2 Prix Foy (2400m) as a pivotal stage in his preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Though rarely a direct predictor of Arc success, the Foy remains an essential diagnostic: a race that reveals fitness, tactical options, and course aptitude at the very venue of Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance contest.

Welcome to the debut of our Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net. Here, we spotlight a horse whose performance in Japan’s racing scene deserves the spotlight. This week, we celebrate Shirankedo, the spirited five-year-old mare who stormed home to win the G3 Niigata Kinen with flair.

Niigata’s summer highlight brings a fascinating mix of proven Group 1 performers, progressive types, and specialist track lovers over the testing 2000m outer course. The switch to conditions weights this year tilts the race toward classier runners, and with Niigata’s famously long 659m straight, expect a slow-early, fast-home shape where turn of foot matters most.

Niigata / Chukyo / Sapporo - 23rd & 24th August Panja Tower and Kohei Matsuyama after landing the Group 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo -...

Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), 2063m, 3yo+ - York, Wednesday 20 August 2025 Danon Decile returns victorious after the G1 Tokyo...

Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), 1600m, 3yo+ - Deauville, Sunday 17 August 2025 Go To First and Yuga Kawada after winning the 2 Win Teletama...

Prix Jacque le Marois (G1), 1600m, 3yo+ - Deauville, Sunday 17 August 2025 Ascoli Piceno and Christophe Lemaire return victorious after a...

Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (G2), 2000 m, 3yo — Deauville, Saturday 16 August 2025 Alohi Alii - picture from netkeiba.com Deauville...

Each week, I’ll highlight the standout performances from the weekend and flag a few eye-catching runners you’ll want to keep an eye on. Be sure to add them to your tracker - they could be winners waiting to happen!

Equinox took the racing world by storm, and now his first foals are ready to do the same in the sales ring. All eyes will be on the upcoming JRHA Select Sale, where the champion’s debut crop goes under the hammer for the very first time. With breeders, buyers, and fans buzzing about the potential of Japan’s next superstar sire, this sale could mark the beginning of a new era for Japanese bloodstock.