日本語True Fairy, by Real Steel, Claims Victory
Friday June 20th, 2025 General
True Fairy (4-year-old filly by Real Steel) secured her third career win in a Benchmark 58 race held on June 20th at Coffs Harbour Racecourse (Turf, 1510m, total prize money: AUD 30,000). She settled patiently toward the rear of the field and remained composed even after turning into the straight, waiting for an opening while still under a tight hold. Once she found a gap along the rail, she responded sharply and outdueled the runner-up in a thrilling finish. Nori commented: “Until this race, all the winners had gone wire-to-wire. The pace wasn’t particularly fast, but I took advantage of the good ground on the inside and aimed for a …
Risk for Reward breaks the maiden win
Friday June 13th, 2025 General
Risk for Reward (a 4-year-old gelding by All Too Hard) broke his maiden on June 12 in a 1400m turf race at Ballina Racecourse, which carried total prize money of AUD 27,000. He was urged forward early, settled just behind the leaders on the rail, and showed grit in the straight, forcing his way between horses to hit the front and cross the line first. Nori commented, “The track was heavy today, so I didn’t want to swing too wide. I was able to slot in right behind the leader, and in the straight, I waited for the gap to open. Once the opening appeared between the front two runners, …
Looking back at the 2025 March Yearling Sale
Friday March 28th, 2025 General
The Gold Coast March Yearling Sale was held on March 24 and 25. Originally scheduled earlier, the sale was postponed by two weeks due to the impact of Cyclone Alfred. Despite the weather challenges, the event was successfully conducted. This year’s sale featured a total of 380 horses—181 colts, 198 fillies, and one gelding—offered by 41 breeders. While the Magic Millions Sale held in January attracted a large number of buyers from across Australia and overseas, this March Sale was more regionally focused, with Queensland-based breeders leading the offerings and most buyers also coming from within the state. By analyzing the list of successful bidders, the trainers involved, and the …
Impact of Cyclone Alfred and the Current Situation at the Stable
Friday March 21st, 2025 General
Cyclone Alfred has caused significant disruption as the largest typhoon to hit eastern Australia in 51 years. The southeastern region of Queensland and the northern coastal areas of New South Wales were particularly affected, with reports of severe damage and ongoing confusion across many areas. Around 330,000 households in the Brisbane area experienced power outages, and fallen trees and flooding caused major disruptions to transportation networks. Additionally, panic buying occurred in local supermarkets, leading to shortages of essential daily goods. Due to these conditions, multiple horse racing events were canceled, and the Magic Millions sale scheduled to take place on the Gold Coast was postponed for two weeks to ensure …
Breaking-In Methods in Australia
Sunday March 9th, 2025 General
The photo of a rider sitting on a bareback horse—some of you might be wondering, “What is he doing?” This image was sent to us by a farm that Japanoz Stable entrusts with the breaking-in process. Horses that go through sales auctions have generally already been handled and are accustomed to being led with a halter and a bridle. Therefore, the breaking-in process does not start from complete scratch. Even when a horse is being ridden for the first time, breaking-in is not just about teaching it to respond to rein pressure or follow a rider’s commands. More importantly, it is about building a relationship of trust between the horse …
Report on the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne
Friday March 7th, 2025 General
I attended the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne, which is held in a convenient location about 30 minutes from the city center, near the airport. Melbourne’s climate is famously unpredictable, often described as experiencing “four seasons in a day.” Despite the scorching summer heat, there were times when wearing a jumper was necessary, which made for a fascinating contrast. The sale primarily featured high-quality young horses from Victoria, with many attractive offerings that were priced accordingly. In recent years, some Japanese JRA owners have been purchasing Australian fillies for breeding purposes, racing them either in Australia or Japan. After retirement, these mares are often bred to Japanese stallions, combining Australian …
Barrier Trial Report at Deagon Training Centre
Thursday February 27th, 2025 General
In mid-February, Japanoz Stable took four horses to participate in a barrier trial at Deagon Training Facility in Queensland. Deagon is a unique, training-only track in Australia and currently serves as the headquarters for Queensland Racing. Historically, it was also home to a Japanese jockey school and once operated as a racecourse. One of the key benefits of conducting barrier trials at Deagon is the availability of a 1200-meter trial distance and detailed class divisions. These conditions allow young horses to race in a tightly packed field with competitors of similar ability, providing valuable race-like experience. Additionally, many high-quality horses from the Brisbane area participate, offering an excellent opportunity for …
Attending greyhound racing
Tuesday February 25th, 2025 General
In Australia, greyhound racing is a popular form of entertainment. Greyhounds, known as the fastest dog breed, sprint around the track while spectators place bets on their finishing positions. Recently, a Japanese trainee expressed a desire to watch a greyhound race before returning home, so Daiki took her to the Casino Greyhound Track. It was Daiki’s first time watching a greyhound race on live, and he was amazed by the speed and intensity of the competition. Before the race, the sight of trainers playfully interacting with their dogs created a heartwarming atmosphere. After the race, Daiki had the opportunity to speak with a dog trainer, who explained, “Once a …
Visit to Australia’s Prestigious Widden Stud
Saturday February 15th, 2025 General
In early February, Daiki visited Widden Stud in the Hunter Valley region of Australia alongside a Japanese owner. Located about four hours by car from Sydney, the stud spans an impressive 1,100 acres of stunning natural surroundings. Established in 1867, Widden Stud is one of the most historic and prestigious breeding operations in the world. Over the years, it has produced numerous top-class racehorses, including Northern Meteor. With an annual production of approximately 250 foals, the farm plays a crucial role in Australian racing. Among the elite stallions standing at Widden is Zoustar, one of the most sought-after sires in Australia. Born in 2010, Zoustar was a Group 1 winner …
Daiki’s First Experience at the Karaka Sale
Friday January 31st, 2025 General
Daiki attended the Karaka Sale in New Zealand for the first time, gaining valuable insights into the differences between Australian and New Zealand yearling sales. “In Australia, horses are often pumped up early to enhance their appearance for the sales, whereas in New Zealand, they seem to develop more naturally, benefiting from the high-quality pasture. Bloodline-wise, many of the horses here are bred for middle to staying distances, and their body types are often more athletic and lean, similar to Japanese horses,” he observed. Regarding price ranges and standout young stallions, Daiki noted: “At the Sydney Classic Sale, a budget of AUD 100,000 is usually enough to secure a quality …
