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| Staff Writer |
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The Japanese contingent flew the flag in the world’s most valuable race and they were not going to be denied a victory in Dubai
The field of 13 strung out thundering home as Panthalassa held the lead with a trio of Japanese raiders in hot pursuit.
Down the outside, the American hope in Country Grammer, last year’s Dubai World Cup winner made his way to the wire. He ultimately finished in second place runner behind the winner by 3/4-lengths in the Gr.1 Saudi Cup. Cafe Pharoah got home third, followed by Geoglyph, and Crown Pride.
Jockey Yutaka Yoshida stayed steely on his mount as the 6YO son of Tonalist continued to devour the ground beneath him. Eventually, the race turned into another edition of the Gr.1 Japan Cup, with Panthalassa finding another gear and going down in history as one of the greats.
The Group One feature chimed in a new chapter for the hopes of a winning nation in Japan as it became the fourth country to have taken the top prize in the world’s most valuable race.
This win is not only an achievement for the horse, the jockey, the trainer but also for Japan – becoming the first Saudi Cup winner from the land of the rising sun.
Staying Grounded
The hoop remains humble even after taking the spoils in this year’s Saudi Cup riding the son of Lord Kanaloa, but he understands the greatness of what has occurred.
“I never thought I could win the world's highest prize money race, so it's still an incredible feeling,” he said.
The horse is a proven competitor on turf with a Dubai Turf title from last year to go with a Listed and Group Two victory in Japan to his name.
However, on dirt he was yet to prove his credentials having only run once on dirt in Japan and having been defeated miserably in the running.
Two starts prior to the run in Riyadh, Panthalassa finished second from a field of 15 in the Gr.1 Tenno Sho in Tokyo.
His last start was in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup in Sha Tin with Yoshida on board only beating home two from a field of 12, finishing 14.25 lengths off from the winner.
The Riyadh Connection
Although Panthalassa was not favoured to win in the Saudi Cup race, having partnered him in eight starts with four of them being victories, Yoshida was not surprised with the performance. He said the draw greatly helped with the glorious victory in Riyadh.
“He’s the type who can run front position with grass that can take advantage of speed. To be honest, I thought it would be tough in a dirt race with no good results.
“We were in the first draw and the most inside draw. I thought that if I could not get the front position then we would face a lot of kickback and not be able to get a good run at all.
However, not only did Yoshida see the draw as helpful but also the way in which his mount started the race.
“It was a little noisy from the parade ring to just before the start.
“But I wanted to get off to a solid start, so I thought it would be a good atmosphere.
“I concentrated on the gate to get off to a good start.
“I thought he could run in his own shape. I thought it was good for the time being because we could understand if he lost in his own racing.”
He also said that the 6YO performed a lot better this race although it was a little touch and go throughout.
“He did run much better. However, sometimes he stopped suddenly just before the goal. So I was always vigilant.”
The hoop admits it took a little bit of the final stage to realise the unthinkable had been achieved and that he had captured the worlds richest race.
“It was on the verge of entering the goal when I was convinced of his victory.”
Knowing the horse’s ability on dirt was not up to what it was shown to be on turf Yoshida admits that trainer Yoshito Yahagi had pulled off the master stroke in targeting Panthalassa for the Saudi Cup.
“I thought Mr Yahagi’s judgment was amazing. If I had the power to decide which race to choose, I wouldn't have thought of joining the Saudi Cup.”
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Looking Ahead
Panthalassa has now arrived back in Dubai on the hunt for feature wins on Dubai World Cup night. Having now won on both turf and dirt Yoshido admits it opens up many possibilities for him.
“Last year he won the Dubai Turf on the grass, but this year he may be heading to the Dubai World Cup on the dirt after winning the Saudi Cup.
“I think it's good to have more options.”
The Long And Difficult Road To Success
Yoshida turns 48 in April and has proven to be a veteran in the sport who had his first win on his second professional ride. In his first season won 14 races and has gone on to record 90 victories in his best season to date (2018).
He has won over 1200 races in his native Japan with notable victories in the Gr.1 Sprinters Stakes aboard Meiner Love in 1998, the Grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) with Smile Tomorrow in 2002, and the Gr.1 Mile Championship with Blumenblatt in 2008.
He is no stranger to hardships and injuries. One such injury came in his last race of 2017, when Yoshida's mount, Victory Morn, crossed out sharply in the home stretch.
The jockey was thrown to the ground suffering a cervical fracture in the accident. He would return to the saddled fifteen months later following treatment and rehabilitation.
He reflects on the injury along with other great hardships that he has experienced along the way, such as losing his best friend, as influencing him in his career obviously.
But whether that has made him think about life and his time in the saddle differently over a career spanning over three decades Yoshida is quick to respond in a trademark fashion.
“When I fell off a horse and had to take a year and three months off, I thought about retiring.
“Also, two years ago, I was depressed when my best friend who was a retired jockey died after falling from a horse during training.
“However, I believe that as I continued to do my best in my career, I met a wonderful horse in Panthalassa, and I was able to win the wonderfully big races overseas.
“I think my friend would have watched both races and he is happy in heaven so I'll do my best to report good news again!”
With that confidence and positive way of looking at life the love and crowd of fans for both Yoshida and our Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa will continue to rise like the sun of their homeland.