TOKYO: The 10th Saudi Arabia Royal Cup at Tokyo Racecourse on Saturday was a thrilling event, with SASAKI Daisuke coming from behind on second-favorite Arte Veloce to clinch the victory.
In the 1,600-meter race for 2-year-olds, Arte Veloce dropped back from a good early position before overtaking all the other horses in a single straight stretch, beating the fourth favorite, Taisei Current and winning by one body length. It was Arte Veloce’s first major win.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Ghazi Binzagr, as well as other Arab ambassadors and officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry attended the event.
After handing the trophy to the winner, Ambassador Binzagr told Arab News Japan: “This is a beautiful occasion that brings people together. It’s amazing how cultural events are extremely important to emphasize our common values and love for sports, particularly regarding horses. It’s a fascination that can tie humanity and bring peace to the world.”
At a luncheon preceding the race, the Ambassador said: “I am honored to stand before you today to hand over the winning trophy, which bears the name of the Kingdom. On behalf of my country, I am proud to represent its Horse Racing Club at the prestigious Tokyo Racecourse.”
“Our union here reflects the extent of cooperation that ties our two countries together in the field of sports and the depth of our mutual partnership on many spheres of civilization and culture.”
Ambassador Binzagr said he was proud that Saudi Arabia hosted the Japan Cup yearly, which he described as “a special event.” He also highlighted the significance of the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup, which serves as a precursor to the Japan Cup and is a testament to the growing international interest in horse racing.
“I invite all of you to visit us and be present at King Abdulaziz Equestrian Field in the capital Riyadh on the day of the Japan Cup, scheduled for February 7, 2025.”
AKITANI Misaki, the General Manager of Tokyo Racecourse, echoed Ambassador Binzagr’s words of unity: “(In) the world of horse racing – we have been, and we are and will be, united as one. The world of horse racing is the perfect vehicle to create common ground among us.”
Winning jockey Daisuke Sasaki was quoted by local media as saying: “I rode this horse because I believed in its strength. It had a great start, so I thought it would be a waste to pull it a little too hard, so I chose to pull it back a step and concentrate on keeping it under control. He’s best at around 1,600 meters, and I’m sure he’ll do well in the bigger races.”
Trainer SUGAI Shosuke added: “The horse was in the inside lane and ran the race as expected. Sasaki knew the horse well and made him hold back. He knew the inside of the track was bad, so I told him to put the horse in a good spot. He responded to that, and I think he did a great job.”
This article was originally published in Arab News Japan
