Shin Emperor hits Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Japan

No modern day Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe cannot be without the Japanese, and its Shin Emperor who’s at $7.50 with betting sites in Australia.

Although a 3yo, and first-up since May when third in the Japanese Derby, he is coming off a finishing third in the Irish Champion Stakes against Arc hopefuls Electronics and Auguste Rodin.

Winless this season even though racing well, he was taking ground off the winner Danon Decile in the final 200m of the Tokyo Yushur, the Japanese Derby of 2400m, with Justin Milano second.

In previously fifth in the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2000 Guineas, he was second to Cosmo Kuranda in the Yayoi Sho, having won the Kyoto Nisai Stakes at two, and second in the Hopeful Stakes.

Again in the hands of Ryusei Sakai for three-times Champion Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi, he races in the maroon and white silks on 51 year-old Susumu Fujita, a relative newcomer to racing.

With Susumu Fujita being in the 50 richest men in Japan, in 2022 he purchased 19 yearlings and foals at bloodstock sales for more than €17m, having already had horses with various trainers.

In joining trainer Yoshi Yahagi of dreaming of winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and go better than second placed El Condor Pasa and Orfevre with this brother to 2020 Arc hero Sottsass.

Purchasing the full-brother to Sottsass for €2.1 million at the Arqana August Yearling Sales in 2022, was the express purpose to win the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

With Shin Empress and Sottsass being from Ecurie des Monceaux in Normandy, they’re by French leading sire Siyouni, and are half-brothers to Breeders’ Cup F&M Turf heroine Sistercharlie.

The well-travelled trainer Yoshito Yahagi is no stranger to international success having already claimed the Saudi Cup, two Breeders’ Cup’s, the Hong Kong Cup, the Dubai Turf and Cox Plate.

In fact, jockey Ryusei Sakai this year following consecutive wins in the Saudi Derby and UAE Derby on Forever Young, then finished third to Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone in the Kentucky Derby.

So, what now for Shin Emperor, in arriving at the France-Galop stables in Chantilly in August, he had a familiarise gallop at ParisLongchamp in early September up-side of stablemate La Familia.

Also flying the ‘Rising Sun’ is the Japanese owned Al Riffa who is at $10 for Joseph O’Brien and ride of legendry 55 year-old Yutaka Take, being a last start winner of the Grosser Preis von Berlin.

In having won the National Stakes at two, he was originally a €31,000 Arqana pin-hook foal, before making 150,000 Gns at the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, sired by Wootton Bassett.

Posted as the $5 race favourite for this principal Group 1 weight-for-age event of 2400m chiefly run on ‘good’ going, is the last start Prix Niel winner Sosie, and to be ridden by Maxime Guyon.

In coming off victory in the Grand Prix de Paris, and having two wins earlier, Sosie is home-bred by owners Wertheimer and Frere, and sired by the 2009 Arc de Triomphe winner Sea The Stars.

The beaten Prix Niel odds-on favourite and Prix du Jockey-Club winner Look de Vega is second pick at $6.50, with $9 for Aiden O’Brien St Leger second Los Angles and Prix Neil second Delius.

However, it will be the Highclere Racing 4yo filly Believing who will be looking for Group 1 success with victory in the Prix de l’Abbaye Longines of 1000m, having been twice a Group 1 second.

In not being out of first four in seven top-class sprints since early June for young Newmarket trainer George Boughey, she will again be ridden by Ryan Moore and looking for a low number draw.

In being a 70,000 Gns 2021 Tattersalls October Sale graduate, and a 115,000 Gns buy for Highclere at the Tattersall’s Craven Sale, she’s by Mehmas, the family of Group 1 Love Siga and Melodist.