Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Lemaire’s new ‘rocket’

Adrian Webber keeps tabs on the Group 1 goings on in the JRA and has word of a couple of milestones for a rising star jockey, and a stallion cementing his legacy

David Morgan

Liberty Island has more in the tank

Trainer Mitsu Nakauchida believes Liberty Island will improve into her next run, wherever that may be, after his champion filly arrived first-up from a summer break to win the Shuka Sho.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: what a Liberty

Adrian Webber pays homage to the new Queen of Japanese racing, looks at Kurofune’s impressive stats, a jockey relocation, and anticipates a cracking contest in the year’s final Classic.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: from the bearish to the bullish

Adrian Webber shares his insights to the JRA scene as Japan’s autumn season begins to ramp up with more Group 1 action.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Duramente filly still Soaring following dirt switch

Duramente three-year-old Thermal Soaring looks a completely different horse following a switch from turf to dirt, while a daughter of Heart's Cry displayed her sprinting potential with a Class 2 victory at Hanshin.

David Morgan

Liberty Island heads Nakauchida’s autumn team

The Triple Tiara is the focus for the outstanding filly, and while no decision has yet been made about the Japan Cup, the thought of a showdown with Equinox is tantalising.

Michael Cox

Foreign buyers back in Japan … but try buying a horse

Frenzied bidding at Japan’s premier yearling sale forced the foreign contingent to watch as all but one lot was sold to local buyers on Day 1 of the JRHA Select Sale in Hokkaido.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: gift-wrapped Equinox

Adrian Webber sees the Takarazuka Kinen as a perfect summer gift, Lemaire and leading sire Lord Kanaloa maintain their hot form, and Imamura returns with a win.

David Morgan

Nakauchida is enjoying the Liberty Island journey

Leading trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida shares his insights into Japan’s star filly and reflects on a spring campaign that surpassed expectations.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: typhoon trouble but not for Songline

Adrian Webber reflects on a stormy lead-up to the Yasuda Kinen and looks ahead to the irresistible force of Equinox as he brings together the latest happenings in Japanese racing.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: daughters of Duramente to the fore at Tokyo

As superstar filly Liberty Island was running away with her third Group 1 win from just five starts in Sunday's G1 Yushun Himba, another daughter of Duramente was finding the Tokyo winning post with purpose.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Liberty Island next after the thrills of Sodashi week

Adrian Webber looks ahead to the Oaks at Tokyo on Sunday and beyond that the Derby and the Yasuda Kinen, after the excitement of last weekend’s Victoria Mile

David Morgan

Champagne day for the little filly sold over lunch

Memorial Life’s second foal Champagne Color elevated her status to Group 1 producer at the weekend and gave a nod to the Chasemore Farm nursery that produced her, and to the Japanese approach that has uplifted her.