The curse of the Japanese in the Arc de Triomphe: French blood to defeat the Indian sign?

Since the candidacy of Speed Symbolieleventh in 1969, 32 Japanese horses tried their luck in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Came very close to a first victory in 1999, with The Condor Passeshaving found only the champion Montjeu to block its path to success in the final strides (photo below), the monument of the tricolor turf still resists 55 years later.

Determined to win what is commonly known as the world championship for thoroughbreds on the grass track, Japanese trainers have stepped up their raids over the past two decades.

With good reason sometimes, by picking out what was best in their archipelago, and yet they have not yet managed to hit the mark. Yet considered the best Japanese horse of all time, Deep Impact also failed, 3rd at the passing of the post the resident of Yasuo Ikee will be disqualified in 2006 following a positive test. Nakayama Festivalpreceded by Workforce in 2010and above all Orfèvresecond twice, in 2012 and 2013, were also unable to overcome the Indian sign which weighs on the Japanese in the Arc.

Persistent, arriving well in advance to acclimatize or, on the contrary, traveling from Japan in the last days before the event. Setting their base camp at Chantilly or Newmarket, until calling on the services of the finest whips. Even Christophe Soumillon did not succeed. Crucified on the wire by Solemiain a 2012 edition which was perhaps that of the hardest defeat to digest.

His predecessors having been unable to succeed with a horse made in Japan, Yoshito Yahagi change strategy. He who is one of the most important providers of international success for the benefit of Japanese training, establishing himself on all the continents that count on the planet turf, in Dubai, in Saudi Arabia, in the United States, in Hong Kong, in Europe, as far as Australia, the man in the hat sets his sights on the brother of Sottsasswinner of the Arc in 2020.

Coming out of the Elie de Brignac establishment in August 2022 in Deauville, Yohsito Yahagi has just signed the top price of the prestigious yearling sale ofArqanahe especially gives us an appointment on October 6, 2024. For €2,100,000, the one who is not yet named Shin Emperor leaves his Normandy meadows, where he was raised in Haras Des Monceaux. Two years later the professional’s prediction proved to be true, the expatriate chestnut is back “home”.

Winner of the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, Economics (T. Marquand / W. Haggas) wins his first Group 1.

He confirms his summer victory in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Gr.2) at Deauville.

Third, Shin Emperor (Y. Yahagi) achieved his premiere in Europe. https://t.co/MQexu6meCL

— Equidia (@equidia) September 14, 2024

Made in Japan, where he won his first two races at two years old, not seen since his third place in the Japanese Derby in May this year. The son of It’s not you rests his clogs in France, two years after leaving it. Stationed in Lamorlaye, his preparation goes through Ireland, where, in Leopardstown, Shin Emperor does better than his elder. Where Sottsass had taken fourth place in the Irish Champions Stakes, the one who defends the Susumu Fujita takes the podium, leaving a very good impression. A performance, under the saddle of Ryusei Sakaiwhich reinforces Shin Emperor (7/1) in the rank of favorites among the bookmakers, who see in him a possible runner-up to Sauce (4/1) and Vega’s Look (13/2).