Cover image courtesy of Japan Racing Association
Jockey Yutaka Take rode a patient race, settling last in the 14-strong field which included dominant G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Goliath (Adlerflug {Ger}), six-time Group 1 winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), as well as Group 1 veteran Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) was let stride by Take around the field at the top of the Tokyo straight and let down powerfully to quickly surge to the lead but was forced to hold off a late challenge by Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and top stayer Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), who dead-heated for second, to win by a neck.
“The pace was slow again and I had trouble settling him down in the trip,” Take said.
“I thought I may have accelerated too early, but I believed in my horse and that he’d be able to sustain that speed until the end.
“I thought I may have accelerated too early, but I believed in my horse (Do Deuce) and that he’d be able to sustain that speed until the end.” - Yutaka Take
“We had some top horses from around the world competing this year, which was a great joy. And to be able to win against them, I think, means a lot for this horse.”
Fourth in the 2023 Japan Cup behind superstar Equinox (JPN) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Do Deuce claimed his fifth Group 1 win in the 2024 edition and in the process also gifted jockey Yutaka Take his fifth Japan Cup victory.
Do Deuce was bred by Northern Farm and is best of six winners from Group 2 winning mare Dust And Diamonds (Vindication).
The victory of Do Deuce has also earned James McDonald his second World’s Best Jockey title, as Ryan Moore fell short in his attempt to claim the title with derby winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).
Moore needed to secure a win with Auguste Rodin to accumulate the 12 points necessary to surpass McDonald in the final qualifying race for 2024. However, he could only manage eighth place. Moore was aiming for his sixth title in this prestigious competition, which recognizes the top performers in major races worldwide each year, and he had been leading until McDonald’s remarkable week at Flemington.
Moore previously won the title in 2014, 2016, 2021, and 2023, while McDonald was honored as the World's Best Jockey in 2022.
