In recent years, every time international race meetings have taken place, a large Japanese contingent has travelled there. From France to Hong Kong, Dubai to the Breeders’ Cup, Japan’s horses have been making a huge impression. This time, there are 12 across this year’s The Saudi Cup meeting.
One of the reasons taking horses abroad has become so popular in Japan is that the number of internationally-minded people who work in the horse racing industry has been increasing.
More doors are opening, especially for the younger generation, to travel and learn the business.
Takuhito Sawae, assistant to trainer Keisuke Miyata of Dancing Prince (JPN), a contender in the The Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudia, is one of them.
When he was riding in the Japan Racing Association’s Hidaka pre-training centre, he got the chance to go to Ireland and worked for the legendary Aidan O’Brien in 2004 and 2005.
“The most impressive horses which I took care of at Ballydoyle were Alexandrova and Ace,” he recalls. Ace was my first horse to ride there and took me to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes after three wins in a row. Alexandrova won the English Oaks and the Irish Oaks, and I took care of her when she was a yearling.
“Aidan always told me I had to watch horses really carefully, especially on the mental side, and he would always ask whether you and your horses were happy.
“He said if you thought your horses were good, then you had to trust them and they would answer you. I had great experiences there, I really learned a lot of things.”
This particular overseas challenge is a first for both the six-year-old horse and for Miyata, who opened his stable yard in 2020.
“The horse looked around and did not settle into the new surroundings on the first day, but he was soon getting used to them,” Sawae says.
After two runs on turf since his debut in August 2019, the son of Pas De Trois has become a confirmed dirt performer. Rounding off the 2020 term with a good third in the Grade 3 Capella Stakes, he won his first Graded prize in that same race two months ago last time out.
“I think the dirt track here is a different surface to the training centre we always work at in Japan,” Sawae explains. “It is well cushioned but a bit heavier than in Japan. He has a lot of power and will handle it, I believe. He’s a very sensitive and enthusiastic horse, but on the other hand, he is quite nice to us!”
Although not the most obvious winner among the Japanese runners, with defending champion Copano Kicking (JPN) also in the line-up, Dancing Prince is certainly being looked after by a man who knows what it takes to make an impression on the global stage.