OSAKA HAI (GROUP 1)

RESTRICTED to older horses, the Osaka Hai is run over 2000 metres at Hanshin Racecourse. Upgraded to Group 1 status in 2017, the inaugural winner was eventual champion horse of that year, Kitasan Black. The race acts as a ‘win and you’re in’ qualifier for the Irish Champion Stakes held in the middle of September at Leopardstown Racecourse.

While much of the racing focus was on team Japan in Dubai and specifically Almond Eye, 14 runners lined up for the Group 1 Osaka Hai. Eight individual Group 1 winners including five classic victors were in contention for the €1,000,000 first prize.

Arima Kinen winner Blast Onepiece and Kikuka Sho winner Kiseki, both on their seasonal reappearances, were expected to take prominent order in a wide open contest.

However, it was a minor upset in the form of ninth in the betting, Al Ain who benefitted from a ground saving trip on the rail to receive the plaudits from the 36,000 racing fans in attendance.

Drawn in stall three in the hands of Yuichi Kitamura, Al Ain broke sharply to stalk the pace in third position throughout. Run at a sedate pace, front-runner Epoca D’Oro began to quicken as the field approached the final bend.

BETTER GROUND

As the runners edged off the rail in the home straight in search of better ground, Al Ain took full advantage of a clear run on the inner to take up the lead with a furlong to go. The five-year-old colt ran on tenaciously to pass the post with a neck in reserve over Kiseki.

The 2018 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Wagnerian tracked the eventual winner throughout, running on well to finish a further neck behind in third. It was a highly encouraging run for the colt after a six-month layoff.

The 2016 Tokyo Yushun winner Makahiki raced at the rear of the field, weaving his way through the pack to finish an eye-catching fourth, beaten by just a length.

Despite not visiting the winner’s enclosure since capturing the Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) in April 2017, Al Ain was twice placed at the highest level in the interim. It was a landmark day for both trainer and jockey as Kitamura celebrated his first JRA Group 1 win and Yasutoshi Ikee his 20th.

Bred by Northern Farm, Al Ain is the third produce out of the Group 1 Breeder’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Dubai Majesty. She was knocked down to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.1 million as a filly out of training in 2010.

By Deep Impact, Al Ain has now amassed career earnings of in excess of €3.5 million.

Deep Impact

SHADAI Stallion Station have announced that champion sire Deep Impact will be stood down from covering duties for the remainder of the 2019 breeding season. The 17-year-old was initially stood down in the middle of February having already covered 20 mares.

Delays in a sufficient recovery from a neck injury have forced the perennial leading sire to remain absent from Shadai’s covering barns. The current intention is for Deep Impact to return to covering in 2020.

Derby winner Vodka dies

VODKA, who became the first filly to win the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in 64 years, has died from laminitis. The 15-year-old mare died on Monday in Newmarket. She tied the JRA record with seven Group 1 victories before retiring in 2010. In January this year she gave birth to filly by Frankel.