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The word ‘Chuwa’ roughly translates to ‘equilibrium and harmony’. Chuwa Wizard is the Japanese sensation contesting the US$20m Saudi Cup. For the trainer, Ryuji Okubo represents the best of Japanese breeding and racing excellence.
Here, Ten Furlongs speaks with Okubo about his success with Chuwa Wizard and is future plans for the entire, his dreams and the lessons learnt in the COVID era.
Q: Please tell us about Chuwa Wizard – his personality, when you felt that he was the ‘right’ horse for top international races? Please tell us about your ambition for the Saudi Cup.
A: I've heard a lot of stories from horse connections who participated in Saudi Cup last year, I felt that the type of sand used in the dirt track of Abdulaziz Racecourse was similar to that of Japanese racecourses. And I think dirt track of Abdulaziz Racecourse is more suitable for Chuwa Wizard than that of Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
Saudi Cup itself still has a short history, but I’d like to go down in the history of this race, which has the highest prize money in the world.
Q: What made you choose Saudi Cup for Chuwa Wizard and what are your plans for him for the rest of the year?
A: Because I felt this horse had suitability for the dirt track of Abdulaziz Racecourse, as I mentioned above.
After running in Saudi Cup, he’ll run in Dubai World Cup, and I’ve received the invitation from Dubai Racing Club and already accepted it.
Q: Of all the horses you've been around, which horse according to you has the greatest 'character’ and why do you say that? Please tell us more about the 'vocabulary of friendship' you share with horses?
A: I think above mentioned Narita Brian is also the greatest character horse.
As for “vocabulary of friendship”, I don’t have any specific words, but what I am always aware of is that I talk to horses naturally as if I talk to persons. And I don't know if horses understand me or not, but on the other hand, I have a feeling that horses understand properly what I have told them.
Q: What sales do you typically attend each year? What is your process for choosing horses?
A: Every year (except last year), I usually participate in 5 or 6 domestic auctions of various scales, and I sometimes have a chance to participate in overseas auctions if requested to buy overseas bred horses by the owner.
The most important thing for me to focus on when choosing a horse is a balance of the horse body, not to speak of standstill, gait and pedigree.
Q: What have been two life lessons that you've learnt during Covid-19 and isolation that have become important to you and which will stay with you for a lifetime?
A: Through isolation due to COVID-19, I really felt that work is not done by one person, but through connection with other persons. For example, now I cannot go to farms to see horses directly, so the only way to get information about horses is to get it from other persons. Under this situation, I again realized that work is built on a relationship of mutual trust.
Q: What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment in your career and who are/ is your biggest inspiration?
A: Since I became a trainer, I’ve won 3 Group one races, 2007 Japanese St. Leger by Asakusa Kings, 2014 Mile Championship by Danon Shark and 2020 Champions Cup by Chuwa Wizard, but the greatest accomplishment so far is the first winning of G1 race (2007 Japanese St. Leger by Asakusa Kings), when I could feel a sense of fulfilment for my work.
And the person who has inspired me the most so far is my father, Masaaki Okubo. As I mentioned, he won Triple Crown Races in 1994 with a horse named Narita Brian. Though it's very hard to win even one of the Triple Crown Races, he won all 3 races, so I think he is one of the great trainers that deserve respect.
Q: What is the next milestone for you? What is the most iconic race you would like to win?
A: As a horseman, my eternal goal is always to win a big race though I know I cannot win a big race easily even if I aim to.
The race I would most like to win is Japanese Derby which all the Japanese horsemen long to win.
Q: Please tell us about the most memorable race meetings you have attended in the Gulf region.
A: This will be my first time to participate in a race in the Middle East. Last year, I was supposed to participate in the Dubai World Cup with Chuwa Wizard, but unfortunately, it was cancelled at the last minute.
The most impressive race of Gulf region I’ve ever seen is the 2011 Dubai World Cup in which the winner was Japanese-trained Victoire Pisa and the runner-up was also Japanese-trained horse, Transcend. On March 11 of that year, Japan was hit by an unprecedented earthquake and tsunami, and this success of the Japanese horses gave courage and hope to many Japanese people.