Japanese racing continues to build on its historic Breeders’ Cup breakthrough, with nine horses targeting the 2025 championships at Del Mar.
The 2021 edition marked a watershed moment when Yoshito Yahagi trained both Loves Only You in the GI Filly and Mare Turf and longshot Marche Lorraine in the GI Distaff to victory — the first Japanese winners in Breeders’ Cup history.
With less than three weeks until this year’s championships, Japan’s contingent aims to expand its international footprint with a mix of returning contenders and new challengers.
Forever Young stands as perhaps Japan’s premier dirt performer, returning for a third American campaign in the Classic. The 4-year-old son of Real Steel finished third behind Sierra Leone in last year’s main event before capturing the G1 Saudi Cup in spectacular fashion this February.
The $720,000 yearling purchase disappointed when third in the G1 Dubai World Cup in April before earning a well-deserved break. His tune-up victory in the Listed Nippon TV Hai on Oct. 1 suggests he’ll arrive at Del Mar with upside.
Alice Verite returns after finishing fourth in last year’s Distaff behind Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna. The 5-year-old Kizuna mare, a homebred for Makoto Kato, has primarily raced on turf, including a fifth-place finish in the G1 Victoria Mile in May. She’s cross-entered in both the Distaff and Filly & Mare Turf.
Japan could field as many as three sprinters, led by American Stage. The $500,000 Keeneland September purchase has shown international class, finishing second to Tuz in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal during Dubai’s Carnival before competing in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. The Into Mischief colt narrowly missed in his Oct. 5 allowance prep at Kyoto with Ryusei Sakai likely to retain the mount.
Dragon Welds, a $150,000 OBS April purchase, brings a record of three wins from seven dirt starts. The 3-year-old Frosted colt dominated a two-win allowance by four lengths at Niigata in August before a troubled trip in his latest outing.
Puro Magic enters with credentials on both dirt and turf. The 4-year-old Asia Express filly has captured two Group 3 races on grass, including the Ibis Summer Dash at Niigata in August where she clocked :53.70 on the straight course. She most recently finished eighth in the G1 Sprinters’ Stakes.
Fee Blanche represents an interesting prospect from Japan’s NAR circuit. The 5-year-old Real Steel mare, racing in Carrot Farm’s distinctive green-and-white hoops, achieved her career highlight in July’s Listed Sparking Lady Cup at Kawasaki with a five-length victory.
Invincible Papa, an Australian-bred son of Shalaa, has demonstrated versatility across surfaces. Originally purchased for A$200,000 at the 2023 Inglis Easter Sale, the 4-year-old colt has won five dirt starts but recently transitioned to turf, upsetting the G3 CBC Sho at Chukyo in August at 12-1 odds.
Argine presents connections with multiple options, listed as possible for the Mile, Distaff or Filly & Mare Turf. The 5-year-old Lord Kanaloa mare captured the G3 Queen Stakes at Sapporo in August and has been consistently competitive in Group 1 company, finishing fourth by just a neck in the Victoria Mile.
The youngest Japanese hopeful is Switch In Love, a $1.2-million purchase from the first crop of Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail. The 2-year-old filly won her August debut at Chukyo before finishing second against winners at Hanshin. Her dam is a daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Switch, who twice placed in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
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