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| Staff Writer |
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In the competitive world of international horse racing, few challenges loom larger than defeating Forever Young, currently the world's highest-rated dirt horse after his epic Saudi Cup triumph. Yet for the young but experienced Japanese jockey Akira Sugawara, this seemingly Herculean task represents an opportunity rather than an impossibility, as he prepares to partner Ushba Tesoro in the US$12 million Gr.1 Dubai World Cup.
In an exclusive interview, Sugawara shared his insights on Ushba Tesoro's recent performance in the Saudi Cup, his evolving partnership with the 7YO champion, and his tactical approach for their upcoming Dubai challenge.
Raised in the shadow of the Nakayama Racecourse, Sugawara's journey to the world stage has been swift and impressive. After debuting as an apprentice on the JRA (Japan Racing Association) in 2019, he quickly established himself as a rising star, posting his best total to date of 75 wins in 2021. The 2024 season has saw him secure 60 victories, including a career-defining triumph aboard Blow The Horn in the summer Grand Prix, the Gr.1 Takarazuka Kinen.
The Takarazuka Kinen victory marked Sugawara's first Group One success and his career highlight thus far. He continues to build an impressive resume, adding two Group Two wins to his tally in 2024 by capturing the Nikkei Shinshun Hai with Blow The Horn, and the Centaur Stakes with Toshin Macau. His international credentials were further enhanced when he guided Warp Speed to a second-place finish in the prestigious Melbourne Cup.
This ambitious global schedule, taking on some of the world's biggest race meets, has significantly improved Sugawara's skills and tactical awareness. Alongside the emerging talent of Forever Young's pilot Ryusei Sakai, his rise perhaps signals a conscious effort by Japanese trainers to develop the next wave of Japanese jockeys as international competitors.
Against this backdrop of rapid career development, Sugawara's association with Ushba Tesoro represents a consequential opportunity. Having ridden the former Dubai World Cup winner for just the second time in the Saudi Cup, following their initial partnership in the Tokyo Daishoten, this new relationship adds an intriguing dimension to their Dubai World Cup bid.
"I only rode him once during training in Saudi Arabia," Sugawara explained. "It was during his final gallop three days before the race, and I got a good feel for him."
This limited preparation might seem insufficient for such a high-profile assignment, but Sugawara's experienced eye noted a significant improvement in the horse's condition compared to their previous collaboration.
"Since his last race was right after returning from the U.S., he wasn't at 100% at that time. But in Saudi Arabia, he moved much better compared to then," he observed.
The partnership between jockey and horse is pivotal in elite racing, and despite their brief acquaintance, Sugawara appears to have quickly developed an understanding of Ushba Tesoro's quirks and capabilities. This rapid rapport-building is critical if they intend to overcome Forever Young in Dubai.
One of the more curious aspects of Ushba Tesoro's character, is his apparent reluctance to enter the track during training. Trainer Noboru Takagi had previously mentioned this behaviour, but Sugawara has discovered how it can be managed effectively.
"He did seem a little reluctant at first, but when I rode him, Wilson Tesoro guided him in smoothly, so there was no problem at all," Sugawara shared.
This unusual dynamic between stablemates—where Wilson Tesoro acts as a confidence-booster for the more accomplished Ushba Tesoro—has become a crucial part of the pre-race routine. Sugawara's calm handling and understanding of the unique situation demonstrates the psychological dimension of racing that top jockeys must navigate.
On race day in Saudi Arabia, Sugawara was pleased with Ushba Tesoro's demeanour. "He's a veteran, so there wasn't anything unusual—he had the same good presence as always."
More encouragingly, Sugawara confirmed Takagi's observation that the horse was particularly motivated. "Yes, I definitely felt that he was in peak physical and mental shape," he affirmed.
This mental preparation is often as important as physical conditioning, and Sugawara's ability to read and respond to Ushba Tesoro's temperament will be vital in Dubai.
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While Ushba Tesoro ultimately finished third in the Saudi Cup, two seconds behind Forever Young and Romantic Warrior, the race provided valuable insights that Sugawara plans to apply in Dubai.
The jockey's pre-race expectations were clear: "He always races from the back and makes a late charge, so I didn't have any particular concerns. My main focus was maintaining his rhythm. Beyond that, I just hoped the pace would be strong enough to allow him to close well."
However, the early stages didn't unfold as anticipated. "He didn't move forward as well as I expected. In the Tokyo Daishoten, he was more eager and took the bit himself, but in Saudi Arabia, that wasn't the case, so I had to work harder to keep up," Sugawara admitted.
This comparative lack of early enthusiasm presents a tactical challenge for Dubai. While Ushba Tesoro still produced his trademark late surge in Saudi, the gap to the leaders was too substantial to bridge. Understanding this pattern is key to Sugawara's Dubai strategy.
The Saudi Cup played out as a contest dominated by two stellar performances: Forever Young, ridden by Ryusei Sakai for trainer Yoshito Yahagi, edged out Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in a pulsating finish, setting a stakes record time of 1:49.09. Meanwhile, Ushba Tesoro finished third, with stablemate Wilson Tesoro in fourth and Rattle N Roll completing the top five.
The Dubai World Cup presents a different proposition from the Saudi Cup in several key aspects that Sugawara believes could work in Ushba Tesoro's favour.
First, there's the matter of course familiarity. Ushba Tesoro has excelled at Meydan, winning the Dubai World Cup in 2023 and finishing second in 2024. This proven affinity for the track gives Sugawara confidence.
Second, the 2000-metre distance—200 metres further than the Saudi Cup—may benefit Ushba Tesoro's staying power and finishing kick. With his late-running style, the extra furlong could provide the additional time needed to reel in the leaders.
Finally, Sugawara is banking on a potentially faster pace in Dubai. "If the race unfolds at a faster pace, he should be able to close even better. I'm hoping for that scenario in Dubai, and if it happens, I'll do everything I can to deliver the best possible result!"
This hope for a stronger pace isn't just wishful thinking. The Dubai World Cup typically attracts pace-setters who ensure an honest gallop, potentially setting up the race for a closer like Ushba Tesoro.
The elephant in the room—or perhaps more accurately, the thoroughbred titan looming over this race—is Forever Young. With a Timeform rating of 131 following his Saudi Cup victory, he stands as the highest-rated dirt horse in the world, and the clear favourite for the Dubai World Cup.
Sugawara is under no illusions about the scale of the task ahead. "Forever Young was undoubtedly strong," he acknowledged. Yet he doesn't see victory as impossible, noting, "Ushba Tesoro still managed to secure third place."
Forever Young's remarkable rise has been well-documented. Under Sakai's guidance, the Real Steel colt has built an impressive international resume, including third place finishes in both the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby and Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic in 2024, before winning the Tokyo Daishoten and Saudi Cup.
Yahagi's ambition to achieve what no horse has done before—winning both the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup in the same year—provides the narrative backdrop against which Sugawara's tactical battle will unfold.
"I wouldn't say there's any secret plan," Sugawara admitted when asked about his strategy to defeat Forever Young. This honest assessment speaks to the jockey's pragmatic approach. Rather than attempting to reinvent Ushba Tesoro's running style, Sugawara is focused on optimising what has already proven successful.
Ushba Tesoro's career accomplishments make him a worthy challenger to Forever Young, regardless of their recent encounter. With his earnings from lucrative international races, Ushba Tesoro surpassed Equinox as the highest-earning horse in Japanese history—a testament to his consistent excellence at the highest levels.
His record includes victories in the Tokyo Daishoten in 2022, the Kawasaki Kinen and Dubai World Cup in 2023, and additional major wins in the Brazil Cup and another Dubai World Cup in 2024. He also finished as runner-up in the 2024 Saudi Cup and Tokyo Daishoten.
For Sugawara, partnering with such an accomplished horse brings both privilege and responsibility. His recent rides suggest the champion may be returning to peak form at the perfect time.
"In Saudi Arabia, he moved much better compared to then," Sugawara noted, referring to Ushba Tesoro's improvement since the Tokyo Daishoten. This trajectory of improvement is precisely what all interested parties hope will continue in Dubai.
Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Sugawara's approach is how he's adapting his riding style to maximise Ushba Tesoro's potential. The contrast between the horse's performances in the Tokyo Daishoten and Saudi Cup highlighted the need for such tactical flexibility and responsiveness from the jockey. Rather than imposing a predetermined approach, Sugawara adjusts to the horse's energy and enthusiasm on the day—a mark of elite horsemanship.
For Dubai, this means being prepared for two scenarios: an eager Ushba Tesoro who naturally positions himself within striking distance, or a more reserved performance requiring more assertive riding in the early stages.
As the Dubai World Cup approaches, Sugawara's strategy appears to revolve around three key elements: pace, positioning, and patience.
The pace factor is beyond his control but crucial to his chances. "If the race unfolds at a faster pace, he should be able to close even better," he noted. A strongly run race would potentially take some sting out of Forever Young, while playing to Ushba Tesoro's strengths as a finisher.
Positioning is Sugawara's most significant tactical decision. Finding the balance between remaining close enough to strike, while allowing Ushba Tesoro to settle into his rhythm, will require split-second judgements during the race.
Finally, patience may prove decisive. With Ushba Tesoro's proven late kick, Sugawara must time his challenge perfectly—not moving too early and exhausting his mount, nor leaving their charge too late.
Can Sugawara and Ushba Tesoro dethrone Forever Young in Dubai? The jockey himself offers no guarantees but remains optimistic about their chances under the right conditions.
What's certain is that this veteran partnership—a seasoned jockey aboard a champion horse with a proven affinity for Meydan—presents a formidable challenge to this rising star of Japanese racing.
In a sport where races are often won by margins measured in inches, Sugawara's tactical acumen, combined with Ushba Tesoro's class and experience, ensures that Forever Young's path to victory will be anything but straightforward.