Led by three potential Breeders’ Cup Classic contenders, Japan is assembling an impressive team for the two-day championships on November 1 and 2 in Del Mar.

Japan was able to score a historic one-two with the Yoshito Yahagi-trained pair Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine when the Breeders’ Cup was last run at the Southern California venue three years ago.

Since then, they have come away empty-handed at Keeneland and Santa Anita – but according to the Japan Racing Association’s latest newsletter, the country will once again field a strong team in Del Mar.

Leading the field are Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Forever Young and fellow countrymen Ushba Tesoro and Derma Sotogake, all of whom are targeting the BC Classic.

So much bad luck at the Kentucky Derby, where he lost his title as undefeated in a thrilling finale, Forever young is scheduled to compete in the Japan Dirt Classic in Ohi on October 2nd before being shipped to the USA.

Derma Sotogake and last year’s winner of the Dubai World Cup Ushba Treasure will make their second appearance in America’s richest race after finishing second and fifth, respectively, behind White Abarrio at Santa Anita last year. The two are likely to meet at the Nippon TV Hai on Sept. 25 before traveling to California.

Third in last year’s BC Turf, the hero of the 2021 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) Shahryar is scheduled to run in the Sapporo Kinen this weekend before returning to compete in the Breeders’ Cup.

Other participants in the Breeders’ Cup include the surprise winner of the Victoria Mile Ten lucky rosewill probably run in the G2 Centaur Stakes (8 September) before the BC Mile and G3 winner Alice Veritewho will prepare for the BC Filly & Mare Turf in the G3 Niigata Kinen (September 1).

Dubai Golden Shaheen, Second Don Frankie is scheduled to contest the BC Sprint after returning from a break to win the Cluster Cup over six furlongs at Morioka on Wednesday (August 14). New edition could join him in Del Mar after defending his title in the Korea Sprint (September 8).

Unbeaten four-year-old mare Great result will compete in the Breeders’ Gold Cup at Mombetsu (27 August) before attempting to emulate Marche Lorraine in the BC Distaff.

Japan’s foreign ambitions are not limited to the United States. Classic winner Durrëzza will run at the Juddmonte International in York next week, while the three-year-old stallion Shin Emperora full brother of the 2020 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass will compete in the showpiece race at Paris-Longchamp. First up, however, is the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (14 September).

On the other hand, fellow Arc participants Do Deuce and Regaleira stay at home to pursue national goals.

After defending his title this weekend at Sapporo Kinen, three-time G2 winner forecast could travel to Australia for the Cox Plate in Moonee Valley (26 October), where he may be accompanied by compatriots Hishi Iguazu And Killer Ability. Shonan Bashitto And Warp speed Hold the Caulfield Cup entry.

• Visit the Japan Racing Association website and the Breeders’ Cup website

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