28 August 2024
Shin Emperor Arrives in Chantilly with Arc Ambitions
Chantilly, Tuesday, August 27th, 2024 – Following a long journey from Japan, accompanied by his groom, the Japanese colt Shin Emperor arrived in Chantilly today. The champion returns to his country of birth hoping to secure Japan's first victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1), which will be held on Sunday, October 6th, 2024, at ParisLongchamp Racecourse.
He will prepare for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at the Chantilly training centre, managed by France Galop.
Click here for images of the Japanese champion's arrival in Chantilly
The Brother of Sottsass, Winner of the 2020 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
On Sunday, August 14th, 2022, shortly after securing a full brother to Sottsass, the 2020 Arc winner, for €2.1 million at the Arqana sale, his trainer Yoshito Yahagi announced his ambitious goal: to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) with this yearling, just as the colt's brother had done two years earlier. Both horses were born at the Ecurie des Monceaux in Normandy.
The Japanese trainer is not one to make such a statement lightly. On the first Sunday of October, Shin Emperor will embark on his journey to compete in the world's most prestigious horse race. The Japanese colt is slightly behind his illustrious elder sibling, Sottsass, who had already won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Group 1) at 3.
After an impressive debut victory in November 2023, Shin Emperor won the Kyoto Nisai Stakes (Gr3) three weeks later before becoming the favourite in the Hopeful Stakes, the final Group 1 race of the season for 2-year-olds in Japan.
However, that day, he encountered a formidable opponent: the filly Regaleira. This season, after a necessary comeback race, Shin Emperor experienced some misfortune in the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, Group 1). He then finished third in the Japanese Derby (Group 1).
Japanese Trainer Yoshito Yahagi Thrives on International Challenges
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi is the most well-travelled among Japan's leading trainers. He has succeeded internationally, winning the Saudi Cup (Group 1) in Saudi Arabia, the world's richest horse race. He has also secured two Breeders' Cup races (Group 1) in the United States, the Hong Kong Cup (Group 1) in Asia, the Dubai Turf (Group 1) in the United Arab Emirates, and the Cox Plate (Group 1), the most important race on the Australian racing calendar.
A New Owner with High Ambitions
The colt's owner, 51-year-old Susumu Fujita, is one of the fifty wealthiest individuals in Japan but is a relatively new entrant to the horse racing world. In 2022, excluding horses purchased by his trainers, he acquired no fewer than 19 yearlings and foals at auction for over €17 million! Like his trainer and all Japanese racing enthusiasts, Susumu Fujita shares the same dream: to win the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) and surpass the achievements of his predecessors, El Condor Pasa and Orfèvre, champions who were narrowly defeated in this pinnacle of international racing.