Last year’s fourth-place Arc finish by Through Seven Seas had done much to buoy spirits in Japan’s racing circles. And, this year, the Ritto-based Shin Emperor’s third-place finish in the Sept. 14 Irish Champion Stakes (a Group 1 over 2,000 meters) had given hope that the country’s 55-year pursuit of victory in the coveted Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe would soon be over.
Sadly, those hopes were dashed once again on Sunday, Oct. 6, as Shin Emperor turned in a bleak 12th-place finish from 16 starters. And no cheer was to be had from the Ireland-trained, 4-year-old colt Al Riffa either. Co-owned by Japanese businessman Masaaki Matsushima and ridden by the iconic Yutaka Take, Al Riffa was only able to top Shin Emperor’s finish by one in 11th place.
The win went to the late entry Bluestocking, an England-based 4-year-old filly bred and owned by Juddmonte. She had nabbed the Group 1 Prix Vermeille last month at Longchamp over the Arc distance of 2,400 meters and had been supplemented to run just days before the race. Ridden by Rossa Ryan and trained by Ralph Beckett, the Camelot-sired Bluestocking clocked 2 minutes 31.58 seconds in the 103rd running of the Arc and handed the Juddmonte bloodstock operation its seventh Arc victory.
Racing close to the front close to the leader, this year’s Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, Bluestocking had escaped any traffic troubles caused by the tragic breakdown of Haya Zark, who fell back through the field and was later euthanized.
Aventure, a 3-year-old ridden by Stephane Pasquier, finished in second a length and a quarter behind the winner. Los Angeles followed 1 1/2 lengths later in third, under Ryan Moore.
The pace of the Arc had been unusually slow, with Shin Emperor looking to be solidly in the game into the straight, but from there he flattened out, leaving both trainer and jockey baffled. “The horse was in good condition,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi, “and his trip wasn’t bad.
“In fact, the track condition was within range of what I considered to be ideal. To be honest, at the moment, I don’t understand yet what could have really brought this result. I will study the race, analyze everything and plan to have him back on track getting good results.”
“He was in good condition,” agreed jockey Ryusei Sakai, “and I didn’t get the feeling that he was having a hard time with the ground. Under way, he seemed just fine, but when the pace suddenly picked up he couldn’t keep up.
“All I can say is that I’m sorry we didn’t get the results we were hoping for and I’d like to thank all the fans in Japan who stayed up late watching the race.”
Yutaka Take rode the Irish G1 winner Al Riffa, not a Japan-based horse, but one co-owned by Japanese businessman Masaaki Matsushima. Traveling toward the rear of midfield, Al Riffa failed to show promise from 2 furlongs out.
Take, who enjoyed a personal Arc best fourth place aboard Kizuna in 2013 (and a third aboard Deep Impact in 2006 only to later be disqualified), said, “Results are everything in racing, so in that sense, these were tough results. I would have preferred he’d traveled from a more forward position. He was in good condition, but just before turning into the straight he was no longer responding well.
“It was a joy to ride in the Arc, and even though the results weren’t good, I had fun riding. Being able to ride in this race is something that I realize more and more is really something special,” Take said.
And to his fans back home, he added, “Before I left Japan, so many people wished me well, and encouraged me saying, ‘Do your best!’ And I know many people have been sitting in front of their televisions watching the race. I really want to bring home the results that will make them happy. I will keep at it!”
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