OISIN Murphy continued his affinity with Japan by capturing the pinnacle of Group 1 racing in the Land of the Rising Sun, the 39th renewal of the Japan Cup, last Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse.

A 15-strong field lined up for their share of the €4,500,000 prize pool in the 2,400-metre (12 furlongs) contest. This year, the Japan Cup carried the additional title of The Deep Impact Memorial, a tribute to recently deceased Champion Sire and 2006 Japan Cup winner Deep Impact. Fittingly he was represented by four of his offspring.

This year was also the first time in the race’s history no foreign horse took part. However, there was an international aspect to the race with five foreign riders declared to ride. Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy, Christophe Soumillon, Ryan Moore and William Buick all rode on short-term JRA riding licences took part in Japan’s most prestigious race. Including full-time JRA jockeys Mirco Demuro and Christophe Lemaire, seven of the 15 jockeys on duty were foreign-born riders.

With no outstanding runner in the field despite boasting six individual Group 1 winners several runners vied for favouritism in the betting. 2018 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Rey De Oro was eventually sent off the 100/30 favourite for what was a far-from-vintage renewal.

Bypass

The decision by the connections for defending champion Almond Eye to bypass the Japan Cup in favour of a December trip to Hong Kong resulted in a subdued lead up to the race. This sentiment was further displayed in the 80,000 patrons that attended, down from just under 100,000 to that of 2018.

It was the recently crowned British Champion Jockey that gave those in attendance most to shout about. Murphy made his first appearance in Japan last winter and quickly became a favourite with punters, when scoring in the Group 3 Negishi Stakes in January.

Initially down to ride three-year-old filly, Curren Bouquetd’or, he was unable to do the required weight of 8st 5lb so he elected to switch to the consistent Suave Richard. On ground officially described as yielding, Murphy and Suave Richard jumped from stall five. The pair broke evenly before being restrained to secure a position on the rail in seventh and eighth throughout behind a generous pace.

Seemingly helped by the addition of first-time cheekpieces, Suave Richard turned into to Tokyo’s home straight three lengths off the lead. Despite easing to the middle of the course to lay down his challenge he was switched back to the inside with 300 metres to the line and from here he ran on gamely to win by three quarters of a length. Curren Bouquetd’or finished in second, her third time having to settle for second in three appearances in Group 1 company. Wagnerian finished a further length and a half behind in third.

A special note must be made for Makahiki who at one point trailed the leaders by 30 lengths in the back straight. Improving one place entering the final three furlongs, Makahiki made relentless progress towards the middle of the track widest of all to finish fourth from an impossible position.

Suave Richard is a five-year-old son of Heart’s Cry and is out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Pirramimma. He was sold at the 2014 Select Sale as a foal for €1,250,000 to current owners NICKS Co. Ltd. He finished second in the Derby in 2017 before he graduated to Group 1 honours in the 2018 Osaka Hai. Since then he has finished third in four Group 1 races including last year’s Japan Cup behind Almond Eye. Suave Richard is the sole individual Group 1 winner for his trainer, 49-year-old Yasushi Shono.