Michael Cox

JRA G1 wrap: Equinox breaks Tokyo track record in dazzling Tenno Sho Autumn defence

Equinox scored his fifth consecutive Group 1 win as the world's top-rated racehorse set a new Tokyo track record for 2000 metres in Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho Autumn.

David Morgan

Is the Tenno Sho Autumn a two-horse race?

Equinox is the clear favourite to win Sunday’s big race at Tokyo, but can Do Deuce prove his Derby superiority to be right? JRA expert David Morgan takes a look at some of the key questions around the Group 1 clash.

Michael Cox

Christophe Lemaire: journey to the JRA

When champion French jockey Christophe Lemaire left his home country behind for a life in Japan he could never have imagined the adventures – and champion racehorses – that awaited him.

David Morgan

Is it time for Champions Day to ‘come home’?

It’s 13 years since British racing’s powers that be trod on tradition and moved the Champion Stakes to Ascot, but yet another wet October day in Berkshire suggests the old-timers knew best.

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

Heat is off Danon Tornado in the Kikuka Sho

The Nakauchida stable is hunting further Classic success on Sunday, plus the latest on Prognosis, Serifos and a two-year-old with big potential.

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.

David Morgan

Five key storylines that will define Japanese racing this autumn

International incursions in Hong Kong and North America, the prospect of one of the most highly anticipated Japan Cup clashes of all time and two champion riders engaged in a fierce jockeys' premiership dogfight: David Morgan picks out the five most compelling storylines as Japanese racing surges towards its 2023 crescendo.

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.

David Morgan

To race on or not? Ace Impact still has something to prove

The Arc winner’s owners have an opportunity to establish their colt’s greatness as a four-year-old, but the lure of the stallion shed might be greater still.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Mama Cocha steps up as Sodashi retires

Adrian Webber was on hand to witness Mama Cocha’s big win, and he also has word of her famous older sister’s retirement, plus Mickaëlle Michel’s latest jockey test and an exciting autumn programme.

David Morgan

Lemaire locks sights on Kawada as Equinox limbers up

A sixth JRA champion jockey title is a high priority for French star Christophe Lemaire, as is adding to Equinox’s already impressive haul of Group 1 wins.