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.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Hadar one to Admire following G2 Mainichi Okan

Admire Hadar may have missed a place in the G2 Mainichi Okan at Tokyo but the five-year-old's powerful finish alongside some serious Group 1 performers bodes well for the future.

Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Centaur boilover but no shocks in Korea

Adrian Webber looks back on Japan’s Seoul raid, T M Spada’s huge odds Centaur surprise, and gives us the latest on the JRA’s returning stars.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Enya Love Faith sails away with Chukyo Newcomer

A son of A Shin Hikari found his flow in a 2YO Newcomer at Chukyo, while another juvenile made emphatic amends for a debut defeat.

David Morgan

Beauty Generation ‘2.0’ clinches the case for name protection

It’s time to get Hong Kong’s finest champions on the protected list after the city’s two-time Horse of the Year’s name popped up this week in a Kempton Park maiden.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Kizuna colt shows he’s worth the Gamble at Hanshin

Kizuna colt Gamble Room demonstrated serious quality in bolting up in a Hanshin Newcomer on Sunday, while another Sunday Racing-owned prospect resumed with an emphatic win at Tokyo.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Volcano coasts home under own steam at Tokyo

Rulership colt Volcano jumped well and was never headed as he cruised to victory in a 2YO Newcomer at Tokyo on Saturday, while a daughter of Lord Kanaloa benefited from some extra condition to win smartly on the same card.

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.

Homan Ho

JRA Blackbook: Derby longshot rattles into autumn calculations

Star jockey Damian Lane dominated Derby day with a four-timer, but behind Tokyo Yushun winner Tastiera another colt served notice of a promising future.

Yushun Himba G1 Guide

The second leg of Japan's Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies, the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) is a test of stamina that has been won by past greats including Almond Eye, Gentildonna and Loves Only You.

莫瑾賢

【從練首次】Red Mon Reve為蛯名正義帶來首個級際賽冠軍

這匹由第二季成為練馬師，前頂尖騎師訓練的級際賽頭馬，將以下月安田紀念賽為目標。

David Morgan

Red Mon Reve earns Ebina a notable first

The Yasuda Kinen is the next target as the former top jockey gets his Group race tally as a trainer up and running in only his second season.

NHK Mile Cup G1 Guide

Tokyo's NHK Mile Cup in May provides a still-testing 1600m Group 1 option for those perhaps lacking in the requisite stamina to take on Japan's best staying three-year-olds over the Classic distances.