Yasutoshi Ikee came agonisingly close last year to achieving Japan’s dream of winning Europe’s most prestigious race and on Sunday he intends to set that right with the same horse Orfevre.
The 44-year-old trainer, who was born in 1969 the same year that Japan first had a runner in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when Speed Symboli finished 11th, said he had disappointed the Japanese people last year when Orfevre’s contrary temperament cost him the race at Longchamp.
Orfevre, who captured the Japanese Triple Crown (2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger) in 2011, burst clear in the final two furlongs (400m) only to lose concentration and veer towards the rails, allowing unheralded filly Solemia to steal the honours.
“The Arc counts a lot to me, but it is not just about me because it also counts a lot for the Japanese racing world and the Japanese people,” Ikee said.
“It is the big dream of Japan to win this race. It is the best race in the world and I hope to be the person who brings that dream to fruition.
“Last year I disappointed hugely the Japanese people. This year they are counting on me for victory.
“I have all but finished my part, the preparation, then it will be for Orfevre and his jockey Christophe Soumillon to execute the plan to perfection.”
Ikee, whose father Yasuo also suffered Arc disappointment as a trainer with his Triple Crown winner Deep Impact in 2006, admitted his greatest challenge has been to try to rectify Orfevre’s habit of losing concentration when he hits the front.
“I don’t fear any of his rivals on Sunday,” said Ikee.
“I fear Orfrevre, for he is his biggest rival.”
To that end Ikee along with Soumillon, who rode Orfevre last year and has described him as a “War Machine”, galloped him on Wednesday with three other horses with the goal of bringing him through the middle of the front two to see how he reacted once he passed them.
“I was pleased and relieved with what I saw, as was Soumillon,” Ikee said.
“He didn’t look at either of the two horses as he passed them and he kept to a straight line once he took the lead in the final 300 metres.
“Now we must hope that what he did in practice he will also do in the heat of battle.”
Ikee said although last year’s race remained etched in his mind, the pressure was not getting to him.
“I have a lot of pressure but it is not at a level where I’m not eating or unable to sleep.
“I am going out every night with the team and eating good food and drinking some alcohol, leading a normal life,” he said.
