Vela Azul, who weaved through traffic under a cool-as-cucumber Ryan Moore to win a messy Japan Cup in Tokyo at the weekend, jumped a colossal 150 places on the world rankings to enter the Top 40 with his thrilling triumph.
Quickening between horses off a sedate gallop, the five-year-old son of Eishin Flash scored by three-quarters of a length over the favourite, last year’s Tokyo Yushun hero Shahryar, to claim the 42nd edition of Japan’s most prestigious international race.
Vela Azul now stands at #35 (≠225pts, from #185) on the exclusive Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, was making his G1 debut after winning the G2 Kyoto Daishoten in October. He had run his first 16 races on dirt, not switching to grass until March this year.
Vela Azul is now the third-highest-ranked Japanese horse in current rankings. However, for such a formidable racing superpower, Japan is notable for its absence in the Top 20, with Arc disappointment Titleholder leading the way at #21.
Trained by Kunihiko Watanabe, Vela Azul was Moore’s second Japan Cup winner after Gentildonna in 2013. “I was very lucky to ride a talented horse,” commented Moore. “The pace was very steady for the Japan Cup. The horse never had much room, but when he did he quickened up very well so he was very impressive today.
“I had a good horse that got me out front and we had a nice spot – it wasn’t too far off the pace and when he found a bit of room, he quickened up very well.”
Current world #6 on the jockeys’ list, Moore was maintaining prime international form after three wins at the Breeders’ Cup (Meditate, Victoria Road, Tuesday), where he was leading jockey. He will bid to continue his purple patch at the Longines-sponsored Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 11.
With a purse of ¥864 million (about $6.2m/£5.2m at current exchange rates – but rather more at prevailing IFHA rates for 2022), the Japan Cup is her nation’s joint-richest race alongside the end-of-year grand prix, the Arima Kinen at Nakayama.
Yet again, the famous contest was a tough nut to crack for four European-trained visitors, best of which was Grand Glory, who finished sixth after meeting trouble in running. Also fifth in the 2021 running, she has reportedly been retired to the paddocks.
No overseas horse has made the frame since the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Conduit was fourth in 2009.
• Visit the Japan Racing Association website
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