Ushba Tesoro win at Dubai World Cup adds new chapter to Japan success story in Gulf

Japan’s emergence in the Gulf as a racing powerhouse continues after they added the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan to last month’s triumph in the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh.

That double-success underlined Japan’s status on the international racing circuit, particularly in a region expected to spread across Qatar and Bahrain and help establish a lucrative Gulf swing.

In 2022, Japan scooped four of the eight thoroughbred prizes on the Dubai World Cup night and Chuwa Wizard finished a creditable third behind the American pair Country Grammer and Hot Rod Charlie.

The Japanese runners achieved a similar result in the Saudi Cup meeting that year. They scooped four prizes and their horses filled the second and third spots in the Saudi Derby.

This time round at Meydan on Saturday, the Japanese runners filled more than half the field – eight of the 15 contenders – in the Dubai World Cup, and it played into their strength.

Ushba Tesoro under Yuga Kawada came from last to first to win from Algiers and Emblem Road to cap a memorable night for Japan.

The six-year-old son of the Japanese Triple Crown winner Orfevre, Ushba Tesoro had more than 15 lengths to make up in the early stage of the 2,000-metre race on Meydan’s dirt surface.

James Doyle and Algiers appeared to have the race in the bag when Kawada and Ushba Tesoro surged into the lead in spectacular fashion to win by a comfortable two and three quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Noboru Takagi said the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the one race Japan has yet to conquer and the one it covets most, will come under consideration later in the year.

“It's a great feeling! After watching his previous run [when winning the Kawasaki Kinen last month], the Dubai World Cup was