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| Staff Writer |
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The emergence of Ecoro Sieg as one of Japan's most exciting young sprinters has set the stage for a compelling international campaign, with the talented colt now targeting the Gr.3 Dukhan Sprint at Qatar's prestigious The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival . Under the guidance of veteran trainer Hideyuki Mori, this record-breaking 2YO is poised to showcase Japanese racing's growing sprint prowess on the global stage, following in the hoofprints of recent Japanese success stories in international competition.
The US-bred son of Twirling Candy caught his eye long before his racing career began, demonstrating exceptional early speed at the 2024 OBS March Sale. His workout time of 9.4 seconds for a furlong tied for the second-fastest of the session and sparked a bidding war that ultimately saw him secured by Mori for US$250,000. The price, while significant, would soon prove a shrewd investment for his connections.
"I fell in love with this horse at first sight because of his speed at the sale, and I thought it was in the top class even back then," reveals Mori, whose experienced eye has rarely been deceived in decades of selecting young talent. The conviction in his voice when discussing the early days suggests he knew he had found something special, even before the colt had the chance to prove it on the racecourse.
That early promise translated spectacularly to competitive action, though not without some initial challenges. Despite the setbacks that often accompany talented young horses, Ecoro Sieg's debut at Niigata Racecourse on 17 August resulted in a devastating five-length victory that immediately marked him as a potential star. The winning time of 1:08.09 for 1,200 metres came within a mere 0.2 seconds of the course record, a remarkable achievement for a first-time starter.
"His debut was delayed due to swelling in his hind legs. But when he made his debut, he won easily by five lengths over the second place horse, despite the short distance of 1200 metres on turf," Mori recounts with evident satisfaction. "The way he moved that day showed even more potential than we had imagined during his training."
If his debut raised eyebrows, the colt's second start dropped jaws throughout the Japanese racing community. At Nakayama Racecourse, under the skilled guidance of champion jockey Christophe Lemaire, he didn't merely win the Canna Stakes - he rewrote the history books. His time of 1:07.02 for 1,200 metres shattered a 23-year-old course record and established a new benchmark for juvenile performance in Japan Racing Association history.
The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. On the same card, a seasoned 4YO won an allowance race in identical time, suggesting that Ecoro Sieg, still in the early stages of his development, was already capable of matching mature horses at their own game. This performance not only broke Saga Novel's long-standing record by 0.6 seconds but also surpassed the national record for two-year-olds, previously held by Freed, by 0.3 seconds.
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Bred at Kentucky's Caldara Farm and William R. Hilliard Jr., Ecoro Sieg's international pedigree made him a natural candidate for overseas ventures. His dam, Lily Pod, herself a talented performer who placed second in the 2017 Buena Vista Stakes (Group Three) in Southern California for trainer Phil D'Amato, passed on not her ability but her affinity for international competition.
Originally sold as a yearling at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale for US$95,000 through Lane's End, agent, to Pro Racing Stable, the colt's progression through the sales ring mirrors his development on the track - each appearance marking a significant step forward in his valuation and reputation.
His first international foray came in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, where an unfavourable draw highlighted the nuances of his running style.
"However, in the end, his starting gate position (number 8) in the US was not good. He's not the type to be fast at the start right after the start, but he picks up speed after that. But before he could pick up speed, other horses got in front of him from the outside, making it a tough race. He ended up in 8th place, but if he'd been in a gate further out, the result would probably have been different," Mori analyses thoughtfully, providing valuable insight into the colt's racing pattern. He showed no signs of disappointment but rather treated the experience as a valuable learning opportunity.
The colt's recovery from his American adventure has particularly pleased his connections, demonstrating the physical and mental fortitude necessary for a successful international campaign. "It was his first long-distance trip, and the race was tough, so he was tired. Fortunately, he recovered within the expected range. Since he recovered, he has been moving well in training," notes Mori, whose extensive experience with international raiders makes him well-qualified to assess such matters.
Looking ahead to Qatar, preparations remain straightforward, reflecting the trainer's confidence in his established methods. "The horse will arrive in the country about 10 days before the race, and I plan to go the week before. Naturally, I have high expectations, and I'm sure he will live up to them," states Mori with characteristic quiet confidence.
For the 65-year-old Mori, who stands just a few years from retirement, this campaign carries special significance. Having pioneered Japanese racing's international expansion with historic victories through Seeking the Pearl - the first Japanese-trained Group One winner in Europe - and Fujiyama Kenzan - Japan's maiden winner in Hong Kong - Ecoro Sieg represents a chance to add another remarkable chapter to his storied career.
"Having already been overseas once should be an advantage, so I'm not particularly motivated to do anything different from usual," reflects Mori, showcasing the composure that comes with decades of international experience. His methodology, refined through years of successful international campaigns, remains unchanged. "We'll just proceed with the usual training, " he says assuredly.
As The H.H. The Amir Sword Festival approaches, Ecoro Sieg carries not only the hopes of his connections but the weight of expectation that comes with being Japan's latest emerging star. For his owner, who has always harboured strong international ambitions, and for Mori, who stands on the precipice of retirement, success in Qatar would represent both validation of the horse's exceptional talent and a fitting addition to an already illustrious career.
The story of Ecoro Sieg and Mori embodies the continuing evolution of Japanese racing on the global stage. As several runners from Japan have made giant strides versus international competition in recent years, this precocious colt and his veteran trainer stand poised to add their names to an increasingly impressive honour roll of Japanese international success stories.