“DRINK it in – allow the mood and atmosphere to intoxicate you.” This was the recommendation given to us by the inimitable Dr Sweeney as Clarity Sky crossed the winning line in the Group 1 NHK Mile at Tokyo last Sunday. It was sage advice on how to enjoy the pomp and ceremony of a Group 1 win.

The return to our regular routine on Paca Paca Farm at 6am the following morning was proof that these occasions are ephemeral. Thankfully however, we did drink it in and the day Clarity Sky secured his place in the annals of Japanese racing history will be remembered for a long time by those of us fortunate enough to be flown to Tokyo to attend the races.

SCALE

As we walked into Tokyo Racecourse for the first time we were awestruck by its scale and grandeur. This was a once in a lifetime experience for two young Irish people interning at Paca Paca Farm. Although the setting is spectacular, there is little ostentatious glamour associated with Japanese racing fans as in common in Ireland and Britain; in the dress-style stakes, it was no match for My Big Fat Gypsy Grand National. In Tokyo, glamour takes second place; with the racing dominating the centre stage.

SERIOUS PUNTERS

While many of Ireland’s casual race goers will have a flutter on a horse with a catchy name or ridden by their favourite jockey, the Japanese are far more business-like and diligent in their gambling; the betting areas are littered with punters engrossed in formbooks and racing newspapers.

Despite having virtually no Japanese between us, we attempted to place a bet on the big race. It was a mammoth task to work out how to complete the betting ticket and at one stage we wondered if instead we would just bet between us as to what mood Dr Sweeney might be in each day the following week (a not inconsiderable riddle at times).

GOOD NATURED JAPANESE

However, with the help of many good natured Japanese racing fans we eventually made our investment and contributed in a very small way to the €175,000,000 bet with the JRA Tote on the races at Tokyo racetrack.

Every horse in the race had already proven itself worthy of competing for the NHK Mile. In Japan each horse has to earn the right to race by winning a certain amount of prize money in group races. All 18 runners in the field had a chance. Indeed most had already won more than €500,000 in prize money.

In the owners’ lounge the feeling of anticipation was building for the big race. However the Japanese always had time to stop, bow, and shake hands with their fellow competitors. They talked politely about the outcome of previous races and offered some predictions for the race ahead – always bowing, always smiling. We finally settled down into our seats to await the big race. The day had finally reached its crescendo when the NHK symphony orchestra began to play the now familiar fanfare which in Japan heralds the main event. There was great ceremony and swagger. The audience swelled with a rapturous cheer as the starter made his way to the podium; there was a palpable buzz of anticipation as the horses loaded into the stalls.

CROKE PARK

There was an enormous cheer as the stalls flew open; it was like Croke Park on All-Ireland day. The decibel level increased as the race progressed. As the field approached the final bend the roar from the crowd was deafening – 50,000 enthusiastic fans can make a commotion!

As Clarity Sky crossed the winning line, eyes were on the jubilant Harry Sweeney and his entourage of rhapsodic gaijins. After a mêlée of hand shaking, hugs and cries of omedetou, which means congratulations in Japanese, we made our way to the tunnel under the stands to welcome back the triumphant horse and his jockey.

The prize giving ceremony was elaborate and acknowledged the years of painstakingly hard work by many associated with Clarity Sky. The podium was shared not only by the owner, trainer and jockey, but also the breeder, groom and work rider. It was heart-warming to see and spoke volumes about those involved in Japanese racing and the Japanese people in general.