WHEN Just A Way was declared the best racehorse in the world following his spectacular win in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free in March, Japanese horsemen and racing enthusiasts were both proud and bemused in equal measure; proud that the world was at last taking note of Japanese horsemen and Japanese breeding.

Just A Way after all was born and bred in Japan and his owner, trainer and jockey were all Japanese. It was the complete made-in-Japan success story.

However, they were somewhat confused as to why this honour was bestowed on Just A Way. On home turf he won the Tenno Sho last year and narrowly prevailed in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen this season before taking second in the Japan Cup.

A very good horse though not a brilliant horse is how Japanese fans read it.

Additionally, 28 other Group 1 races around the globe had been annexed by Japanese horses in the last 15 years and racing fans were unsure if Just A Way was anywhere close to being the best of them.

Furthermore, it appeared to Japanese fans that races outside Japan carried more weight that Japan’s own elite races. Orfevre, won last year’s Group 1 Arima Kinen in Christmas week by eight lengths beating the best that Japan had to offer.

Furthermore, he had won a career total of six Group 1 races at home and had finished second in two consecutive Arcs. His earnings on the track exceed €10,000,000 and in fact he is the second highest racecourse earner ever. Nevertheless, his international rating last year was lower than Just A Way’s current mark.

In a round-about way, Japanese fans had their chance recently to express their opinions as to who is top-of-the-pile in Japan at the moment.

The Group 1 Arima Kinen, which will be held this year on December 28th, is unique among Japanese Group 1 races in that the fans get a chance to vote as to who should be given an automatic berth to participate in the €3,000,000 end of year finale.

The top 10 vote getters are guaranteed a run and it is a de facto poll as to who the fans see as the best horses currently running in Japan.

The results were nevertheless quite enlightening. Gold Ship topped the poll, with Gentildonna second and Harp Star third.

Isla Bonita was fourth choice of the fans and Just A Way was only fifth.

In relation to Just A Way, the JRA’s curtain closer will decide as to who is correct, the international handicappers or tens of thousands of Japanese racing fans.