Japan and Aidan Obrien King Edward Stakes

Masaaki Matsushima has a dream, as does Yutaka Take. It is the same dream.

Take yearns to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Matsushima yearns to make his friend's dream come true. All this being so, it is safe to say both men will be following the highlight of Royal Ascot's second day with the keenest interest.

It was announced in February that Japanese businessman Matsushima had bought a half-share in Japan, the Aidan O'Brien-trained son of Galileo – naturally – who became a Royal Ascot winner last season when storming to victory in the King Edward VII Stakes. He returns as hot favourite for the royal meeting's most prestigious prize, the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

It is Japan's first aim of the year. The ultimate objective is to realise those twin dreams on October's first Sunday.

Matsushima was at Longchamp when Japan followed up his course-and-distance Grand Prix de Paris success by finishing fourth to Waldgeist. "Japan is one of the best horses in the world – and I really liked him in the Arc," he said in February. Like Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, his partners in the Ballydoyle star, Matsushima will not be at Ascot. He will presumably want to be at Longchamp. He will presumably want the 51-year-old Take to be there as well.

Comments

Fury to contest the St Ledger Doncaster Andrew Nelis

Trainer Richard Spencer has identified the St Leger at Doncaster as the primary objective for his exciting colt Tyson Fury. The Newmarket handler confirmed in February of last year that the two-time heavyweight world champion had given his blessing for the Iffraaj colt to be named in his honour, with part-owner Phil Cunningham friendly with a member of Fury's team. While it has taken a while for the equine Tyson Fury to hit the racecourse, he produced a knockout display on his Doncaster debut earlier in the month, leaving connections dreaming of a tilt at Classic glory later in the year... Andrew Nelis Racing

Aidan Obrien trio crack Asaault ready for the Qatar sussex stakes Goodwood Andrew Nelis racing

£20 Risk Free First Bet Aidan O’Brien could saddle a formidable three-pronged assault in his bid for a sixth victory in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. It is 21 years since the popular Giant’s Causeway provided the Ballydoyle handler with his first win in the prestigious Group One contest, a success he still recalls fondly two decades on. The record-breaking Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rip Van Winkle (2009) and The Gurkha (2016) have all since added their names to the roll of honour in a race O’Brien ranks highly in the Flat racing calendar. “Giant’s Causeway is a horse that would come to mind when you think of the Sussex. It’s a very difficult race to win,” said the trainer. “It’s a very prestigious mile race. It’s the ultimate test really – it’s up and it’s down and it’s left and right. They have to have speed and stamina and they have to be very versatile. “It can be the ultimate test of a miler, physically and mentally. It’s a very important race ...

Epsom Derby Runners and riders 2020 Andrew Nelis

1 AMHRAN NA BHFIANN Sire : Galileo. Trainer : Aidan O’Brien. Official rating : --. Odds : 50-1 Who will add their name to the Derby roll of honour? Positives : His sister, Was, won the Oaks on her third start in 2012, while his brother, Douglas Macarthur, finished seventh in the 2017 Derby after being deployed as a pacemaker. He himself offered something to work on when fourth in a Leopardstown maiden last time, when finishing behind three stablemates who subsequently all made their presence felt in the Irish Derby. His best days are ahead of him. Negatives : Has mountain to climb on form and even his master trainer has not pulled off the trick of winning the Derby with a twice-raced maiden. Indeed, the last maiden to win the race was in 1887. Verdict : Folly to underestimate anything his trainer runs but easy enough to looks elsewhere. 2 EMISSARY Sire : Kingman. Trainer : Hugo Palmer. Official rating : 98. Odds : 33-1 ...

Andrew Nelis racing

Search This Blog