Two of those three year olds, Natural emergence And Narukamirenew the rivalry on December 29 in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) at Oi Racecourse on the National Association of Racing circuit.
Natural emergence, a Kizuna Colt, found himself on the fringes of the global dirt circuit in 2024 when he won the Cattleya Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse, the first leg of the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. His connections ended that quest when, at his next start, he finished fourth in the second race of the series, the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun.
Instead, Natural Rise retreated to Oi, where he scored three straight victories for trainer Keizo Ito as he progressed from the 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) of the Zen-Nippon to the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) of the Tokyo Derby on June 11.
That streak came to an end in the Japan Dirt Classic on October 8 when he saw Narukami have a large lead heading into the Oi stretch and was unable to make up much ground in the final 100 meters, finishing second. However, these two were far superior to the rest of the competition.
Narukami, a Godolphin, bred by Thunder Snow has competed primarily at Japan Racing Association circuits, albeit on dirt surfaces, compiling a record comparable to that of Natural Rise – until its most recent and most ambitious attempt.
The colt took five wins from six starts, including the Japan Dirt Classic, as he lined up as favorite against many of Japan’s best, including some grizzled veterans, in the Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo Racecourse on December 7. He gave it a try and was just behind the leaders, but dropped out in the late hours and finished 13th.
The controversial three-year-old duo will face some older competition in the Daishoten.
Mickey fight a 4 year old van Drefong finished second to Forever Young in the 2024 Japan Dirt Classic. He started 2025 with a close third in the prestigious February Stakes (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse and is undefeated in three consecutive starts. In the final he won the JBC Classic at the Funabashi Racecourse by three lengths ahead of the talented Meisho Hario .
Christophe Lemaire, who recently took first place in the Japanese jockey rankings from rival Keita Tosaki, rides Mikki Fight. Tosaki is booked to accompany Narukami in the Daishoten. Takeshi Yokoyama is mentioned on Natural Rise.
I have O Roulettea 6 year old son of Roses in Mayis on an upward trajectory after finishing second in a Listed event on August 23 at Niigata Racecourse, then winning the Sirius Stakes (G3) at Hanshin Racecourse, and another Listed heat on November 26 at Urawa Racecourse.
The growing intensity of competition reflects a greater emphasis on dirt racing throughout Japan’s racing establishment, centered on the NAR circuit, administered by local governments.
That effort was aided by Japan’s purchase of top mares from the United States and other jurisdictions with top quality dirt programs. And it has received the biggest possible boost from Forever Young’s success in winning the 2024 Saudi Derby (G3) and UAE Derby (G2), and the 2025 Saudi Cup (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Dirt Racing is also benefiting from some structural changes to the Japanese schedule.
Had Natural Rise won the Dirt Classic, he would have been the first horse to complete the Dirt Triple Crown for 3-year-olds, which was introduced in 2024 specifically to boost the local image of dirt racing.
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