Japan's Shin Emperor Aiming to Rule in Ireland

Forever Young's trainer-owner team return to Leopardstown in a bid to go two better

- Michael Lee

Japan has not met with much joy with their recent overseas raids, but Shin Emperor's connections are hoping on the proverbial luck of the Irish to turn things around at Leopardstown on Sept 13.

The Japanese globetrotter is not at his first assault in the Emerald Isle.

In 2024, he took a stab at the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m) as a three-year-old, running a gallant third to William Haggas' Economics.

Encouraged by that run, trainer Yoshito Yahagi and owner Susumu Fujita of Forever Young fame are back for another bite at the cherry one year later.

It is not only the less than one-length margin from the winner after overcoming traffic problems in the home straight that has spurred them on towards another shot.

To Yahagi, one mistake not to be repeated was the short run-up from the French-bred entire's arrival to the race.

"We had a trip one day before the Irish Champion Stakes last year, but this year, we have to make him more used to the Irish weather and the atmosphere," said racing manager Hiroshi Ando, who has arrived in Ireland ahead of Yahagi and Fujita.

"That's why we came to Ireland at The Curragh earlier than last year.