INDEPENDENT HORSE RACING NEWS

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: cherry blossoms signal the first Classic is almost here

It’s springtime in Japan and Adrian Webber has his eye on emerging talents ready to bloom, recaps the Dubai action, and looks ahead to the Osaka Hai and the Oka Sho.

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Homan

JRA Blackbook: Tosen Laurier enters G1 Oko Sho frame

Anemone Stakes winner Tosen Laurier raced into Oka Sho calculations at Nakayama, while a grey mare was the unlucky runner in the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo.

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Costa Rolfe

The ‘Shadow Roll Monster’ recast: Narita Brian thrills Japanese audiences anew

Anime phenomenon Uma Musume is ensuring that the feats of past champions like 1994 Triple Crown winner Narita Brian can be appreciated by a new generation of racing fans.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Lemaire’s big six, February attractions and the circle of life

Adrian Webber on the week in Japanese racing and what to look forward to in the month ahead, including a North American raider and the return of a fan favourite.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Hard work brings awards for Kawada and Shibata

JRA broadcaster Adrian Webber returns with his weekly roundup and there is plenty to be positive about in the Year of the Rabbit.

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Homan

Five JRA horses to watch in 2023

Asian Racing Report’s JRA expert Homan has selected five horses poised to produce big things in Japan's elite races next season.

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David Morgan

Top 5 magic moments of 2022: Japan

After Equinox’s brilliant Arima Kinen victory emphasised the wonder of top-level racing in Japan, Asian Racing Report looks back on 2022 and ranks its five most memorable Japanese racing moments of the year.

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David Morgan

A champion jockey title is Yuga Kawada’s destiny

Yuga Kawada stands on the cusp of a first championship, a feat that continues his family’s long racing legacy and is important to the profile of Japanese jockeys on the world stage.

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Bren O’Brien

Dolce More gives Sugai sweet Futurity success

Dolce More has become the latest Group 1-winning star for trainer Naosuke Sugai after a skillful ride from Ryusei Sakai delivered victory in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes at Hanshin.

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Costa Rolfe

‘He always gave me all of his heart’: Victoire Pisa, Mirco’s miracle horse

Jockey Mirco Demuro remembers the bold mid-race moves on Victoire Pisa that won him the Arima Kinen and Dubai World Cup.

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Hanshin Juvenile Fillies G1 Guide

The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies is held in December and is the only Grade 1 race in Japan restricted to two-year-old fillies.

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Michael Cox

Yutaka Take takes on first smartphone, threatens to take on Panthalassa

The mind games have begun before Sunday's Hong Kong Cup as Jack D’Or’s jockey Yutaka Take – who in breaking news now owns a smartphone – suggests Panthalassa may not get his own way in front.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Milers ready to vie for championship honours

With the autumn Group 1 season in full swing, this week’s diary turns attention to the Mile Championship, while a visit to the shrine might work wonders, and there’s a juvenile race worth keeping an eye on.

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Bren O’Brien

Champions of the track and breeding barn – Top Five mares who shone as racehorses and as broodmares

With Gentildonna becoming a Group 1-winning producer thanks to her daughter Geraldina, we have ranked the Top Five champion racehorses across the world who went on to become star broodmares.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: It’s Tenno Sho week and the overseas riders are flying in

JRA broadcaster Adrian Webber takes a look at the latest happenings in Japan including Group 1 observations and a worrying trend for the industry.

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Homan

JRA blackbook: Kawada forecasts bright future for Mikki Isle filly

Mikki Isle filly Pin High made up for missing out on a G1 Shuka Sho run with an impressive victory over 1800m at Hanshin.

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Bren O’Brien

Stunning Rose claims Shuka Sho as luckless Stars On Earth denied Triple Tiara

Stunning Rose has denied Stars On Earth’s quest for the Japanese Triple Tiara, delivering jockey Ryusei Sakai his first Group 1 success in the Shuka Sho at Hanshin.

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Michael Cox

Daddy-daughter day at Tokyo as the pop starlet Sodashi takes centre stage

Sodashi is at the forefront of a surge in popularity among young racefans – and they are bringing their dads back to the races with them.

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