Danon Decile up for the challenge

New Paper

19 hours ago

YORK - Champions from Japan, Ireland, France and Britain will battle to be acclaimed the champion of champions in the £1.25 million (S$2.17 million) Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes (2,063m) at York on Aug 20.
Shogo Yasuda, trainer of Danon Decile, knows that his star four-year-old faces a difficult task, but has confidence in his ability.
"Of course, I respect the European horses," said the son of Takayuki Yasuda, who trained top Japanese sprinter Lord Kanaloa.
"It is not easy to travel from Japan, and we have a big mountain to climb. But I believe, potentially, he can climb it."
The son of Epiphaneia has not run since he captured his first overseas race in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2,400m) at Meydan on April 5, but Yasuda is satisfied that the five-time winner is ready.
"We have not run him again because of the extreme heat in Japan," he explained.
"But I am very happy with how he is now. He can get excited, but he is getting calmer every day he is here in Newmarket, and he seems to be enjoying the different environment.
"I feel he has a good chance."
First-up after four months, the 2024 Group 1 Japan Derby (2,400m) victor will face five other top-rated gallopers in the crown jewel at York's Sky Bet Ebor Festival, which is held from Aug 20 to 23.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained Ombudsman and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Delacroix are the main - but not the only - obstacles to the Japanese runner's success.
Having won the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes(2,000m) at Royal Ascot on June 18, Ombudsman was narrowly beaten into second by Delacroix in the Group 1 Eclipse Stakes (2,000m) at Sandown on July 5.
At York, the Godolphin-owned Ombudsman will have the French-based Godolphin horse Birr Castle joining him to act as pacemaker.
A four-year-old by Night Of Thunder, Ombudsman has won five races and placed twice from seven starts. Co-trainer Thady is positive about his chances.
"He won at his first attempt in a Group 1 race and at Sandown was beaten by a top-class three-year-old," he said.
"He's come out of that race well. He's such a genuine horse, has got the required speed, and hopefully will run a good race."
O'Brien will be aiming to come out on top for a second successive year after City Of Troy saluted in the 2024 International Stakes.
The top Irish handler was particularly impressed by Delacroix's performance when making strong progress uphill in the final 400 metres at Sandown.
"Delacroix's got a lot of speed and quickens exceptionally well. It's rare to see what he did, and is what sets good horses apart," he said of the Dubawi three-year-old.
French contender Daryz will need to improve despite having won all four of his races in France, including the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam (2,000m) on June 29.
The Sea The Stars three-year-old - trained by Francis-Henri Graffard - is at his first Group 1 attempt in his fifth start.
Nemone Routh, racing manager for the owner, Aga Khan Studs, acknowledges the tough challenge.
"The field is a strong one and we're under no illusions it's going to be a very tough race, but the horse is in great form. It will be fast ground, which he handles well and we'll see how good he is," he said.
UK filly See The Fire, who finished third at her last two runs in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes (1,991m) on July 31 and the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, will line up for trainer Andrew Balding.
The Ebor Festival will also see the running of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Aug 21, the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes on Aug 22 and the Group 2 York Stakes on Aug 23.
HKJC