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| Staff Writer |
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Leading Japanese conditioner Yoshito Yahagi reveals that the Japanese superstar Marche Lorraine is in great form ahead of her Saudi Cup mission, where she joins some of the best dirt horses on the planet in the 1,800m contest. The mare will be retired to the world-renowned Northern Farm in Hokkaido after she returns from Riyadh
Yoshito Yahagi trained Lys Gracieux to become the first Japanese winner of Australia’s Gr.1 Cox Plate in 2019, just three years after Real Steel and Ryan Moore landed the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan. He also trained Contrail, the 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner.
Yahagi claimed two wins in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup with Loves Only You, and Marche Lorraine. It made him the first Japanese trainer to win any Breeders' Cup race.
The 5YO daughter of Orfevre became the first horse from Japan to win a Breeder’s Cup race, making her the second Japanese-based horse to win a World Championship’s race. Thanks to Yahagi, there are two titleholders in the same barn at JRA's Ritto training centre.
In this exclusive interview, Yoshito Yahagi reveals more about Marche Lorraine's preparation for her swansong in Saudi and how much his Gr.1 Dubai Turf win with Real Steel means to him.
Q: What are your plans for Marche Lorraine after leaving Japan? Do you have any concerns about the track or weather?
A: I plan to leave the Ritto Training Center on the 18th. I will leave Japan by plane at 13:00 and get to Saudi Arabia via Doha. It is not a charter plane, so I hope it goes as planned so that there are no problems.
Q: After the Saudi Cup, are there any plans for the horse to race on Dubai World Cup night?
A: If nothing happens to Marche Lorraine, we will have a final gallop on Tuesday morning. She has trained enough in Japan, so she does not need any hard training in Saudi. On the following Wednesday, we will change the horseshoes to spikes. She will be training on Thursday and Friday with spikes. It's the same way she was trained when she won the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Distaff.
Q: Could you tell us more about your plans for Marche Lorraine?
A: I think she is ready to move on to the next phase of her life. She will retire after the Saudi Arabia race. Upon returning to Japan, she will quarantine, then go directly to the Northern Farm in Hokkaido to continue her life journey as a broodmare.
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Q: How did this horse come to you? Could you please tell us more about the owners and your relationship with them?
A: Marche Lorraine is owned by Carrot Club, I have a strong connection with the Northern Farm. As I train several horses from them, Carrot Club also sends me a few horses each year.
Q: What has been your favourite race in the Middle East?
A: It was the 2016 Dubai Turf when my horse, Real Steel won. I had tried a lot of overseas races with a lot of horses before that, but none of them won. My first victory in a Group One race overseas was impressive. Victory is important and memorable in horse racing because it is all about results.
Q: Finally, you are one of the most inspiring trainers in the world. Who inspires you to remain passionate?
A: I was greatly influenced by my father. He used to be a trainer at Oi Racecourse. I became a trainer because he was there.
I like games, and I can never forget the joy of winning. I will continue to fight for the fans, the staff, the owners, the jockeys, and the people who trust me.