Japan Cup: Ten British and Irish horses among nominations
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista is among ten British and Irish-trained horses who feature on the first list of nominated horses from overseas for this year’s Japan Cup at Tokyo on Sunday, November 27.
Sir Mark Prescott’s six-time Group One winner will secure a US$3million bonus if successful in the prestigious mile-and-a-half contest, with the ParisLongchamp showpiece one of 24 races where the winners are eligible for the lucrative bonus.
Alpinista after winning the Qatar Prix de l
Having won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in July, Pyledriver is another contender who could be seeking the $3 million bonus, while Deauville Legend and the William Haggas-trained pair, Lilac Road and Sea La Rosa, are also among the British-trained nominations.
Bolshoi Ballet, Broome and High Definition represent Aidan O’Brien, with Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon and Duke De Sessa completing the quintet of Irish-trained nominations.
Multiple Australian Group One winner Verry Elleegant, who is now trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, and Irish Champion Stakes runner-up Onesto are notable French nominees.
German Oaks winner Toskana Belle is one of two nominees from Germany, and the USA are strongly represented with six nominations, which include Gufo, War Like Goddess, Highland Chief and Hot Rod Charlie.
A trio of Australian-trained contenders also feature on the list, and So Moonstruck is the sole representative from Qatar.
Full list of the first nominated horses from overseas:
Alpinista (GB)
Deauville Legend (GB)
Lilac Road (GB)
Pyledriver (GB)
Sea La Rosa (GB)
Bolshoi Ballet (IRE)
Broome (IRE)
Duke De Sessa (IRE)
High Definition (IRE)
Magical Lagoon (IRE)
Grand Glory (France)
Iresine (France)
Jannah Flower (France)
Onesto (France)
Simca Mile (France)
Sweet Lady (France)
Verry Elleegant (France)
Toskana Bell (Germany)
Tunnes (Germany)
Gufo (USA)
War Like Goddess (USA)
Cabo Spirit (USA)
Highland Chief (USA)
Hot Rod Charlie (USA)
Master Piece (USA)
Alligator Blood (AUS)
Duais (AUS)
Durston (AUS)
So Moonstruck (Qatar)
Winners of the below races are eligible for the following bonuses if contesting this year's Japan Cup - $3 million (1st), $1.2 million (2nd), $750,000 (3rd) and $200,000 (4th or below).
H. E. Tancred Stakes (AUS)
Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE)
The Derby (UK)
Manhattan Stakes (USA)
Prix du Jockey Club (FR)
Prince of Wales's Stakes (UK)
The Irish Derby (IRE)
Eclipse Stakes (UK)
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (FR)
Grand Prix de Paris (FR)
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (UK)
Arlington Million (USA)
International Stakes (UK)
Sword Dancer Stakes (USA)
Irish Champion Stakes (IRE)
Grosser Preis von Baden (GER)
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (USA)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR)
Champion Stakes (UK)
Caulfield Cup (AUS)
Canadian International (CAN)
Cox Plate (AUS)
Breeders' Cup Turf (USA)
Melbourne Cup (AUS)
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