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Homan

JRA Blackbook: turf convert builds on near-perfect record at Hanshin

One-time NAR galloper Danon Timpani made light work of his Hanshin opposition to make it five career wins from six starts on Sunday, while a daughter of Henny Hughes registered an even more dominant victory at the same track a day earlier.

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David Morgan

EXCLUSIVE: Joao Moreira to ride Danon Beluga in Dubai

The Brazilian champion will connect with his old ally Noriyuki Hori to ride the high-class four-year-old Danon Beluga in the Dubai Turf, and says he intends to apply for a JRA short-term licence later in the year.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Deep Bond’s hat-trick bid and goodbye Heart’s Cry

As Yuga Kawada and Christophe Lemaire continue their early season tussle in the jockey standings, JRA broadcaster Adrian Webber flags up the weekend’s Hanshin Daishoten fixture and looks at the comings and goings on the JRA scene.

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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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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Pixie Knight to return as the promise of spring makes anything seem possible

Adrian Webber has the latest from Japan as a series of comebacks and retirements point to the approaching changing of the seasons as winter enters its final weeks.

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Homan

JRA Blackbook: another staying star for Kitasan Black?

A pair of well-bred three-year-olds signal future stardom following contrasting victories on the weekend, but both will need time.

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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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Homan

JRA Blackbook: Ebina unearths Yasuda Kinen contender

Trainer Masayoshi Ebina may have found a Group 1 horse in effortless Tokyo winner Red Mon Reve, while Naosuke Sugai's patient approach with Carro Veloce paid off at Chukyo.

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Homan

JRA Blackbook: Gold Ship colt showcases big talent, bigger personality

A talented son of Gold Ship that ‘cannot understand orders’ and an injury plagued dirt star bound for G1 glory find a place in this week’s JRA Blackbook.

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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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David Morgan

David Egan: ‘I would love to be champion jockey in Britain someday’

Asian Racing Report talks to David Egan, who is turning heads on the JRA circuit as he takes another step towards his aim of joining the international jockey elite.

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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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David Morgan

Daisuke Fukumoto is one of a new ilk of Japanese jockeys abroad

The former ‘Jockey Baby’ with an international outlook is now an established rider at Woodbine where his compatriot Kazushi Kimura keeps on turning heads.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Liberty Island lights up the juvenile scene

Adrian Webber talks stakes races, David Egan’s Turfy presentation and Arima Kinen weekend looming large.

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Bren O’Brien

Liberty Island all class in Juvenile Fillies victory

Liberty Island has stamped herself as the leading two-year-old filly in Japan, with a superb victory in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies.

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Adrian Webber

Keiba Diary: Cups overflowing with more Group 1 action to come

Adrian Webber had a prime view of the Japan Cup from the commentary box at Tokyo last weekend and the JRA broadcaster is now looking ahead to this Sunday’s Champions Cup at Chukyo and beyond to Hong Kong.

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David Morgan

Vela Azul’s unlikely rise foils European hopes in a messy Japan Cup

Ryan Moore finds a clear route amid the chaos to nail the Japan Cup on a late bloomer with an unusual background, befitting a strange renewal of the JRA’s big international feature.

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