The 2023 Japan Cup result was as expected as the world’s best racehorse – Equinox – had little trouble in seeing off a field of 18 runners at the Tokyo racecourse on Sunday 26th November. Winning by an easy 4-lengths and in the process taking his career earnings to over £14m.
Equinox Lands Sixth Group One With 4-Length Japan Cup Romp
The leading UK horse racing betting sites had the world’s best racehorse EQUINOX as the red-hot Japan Cup favourite ahead of the 2023, and the Tokyo race went as the market suggested.
Long time leader, Panthalassa tried to steal the race from the front, just like he’s done in the past against Equinox, but with his legs turning to jelly the Japanese equine superstar had little trouble running him down.
French jockey Christophe Lemaire, who has ridden Equinox in all his races, had the star 4 year-old prominent in the chasing pack and wasted little time in closing the gap. Eventually taking up the running at the 200m pole to win with his head in his chest by an unchallenged 4-lengths (watch below).
Liberty Island, who was the next best in the betting with the best online gambing sites around the world, took the silver under jockey Yuga Kawada.
Like Father, Like Son
The Japan Cup win was also significant as Equinox was following in his sires hoofprints (Kitasan Black), who won the big race in 2016.
This was also the first Japan Cup win for trainer Tetsuya Kimura, but the third for owners Silk Racing Co Ltd, who also took the prize in 2018 and 2020 with Almond Eye.
Jockey Christophe Lemaire Was Winning The Japan Cup For A Fourth Time
Equinox’s 2023 Japan Cup result also provided top French jockey Christophe Lemaire with an incredible fourth win in the Tokyo race.
Lemaire also won the Japan Cup twice on Almond Eye (2018 & 2020), while his first success in the race came in 2009 on a horse called Vodka.
Equinox Has Now Won Over £14m In Total Prize Money
The Japan Cup result took Equinox’s total career earnings to just over £14m for his owners Silk Racing Co Ltd. This was also Equinox’s eighth career win from his 10 runs and his sixth at the highest level.
Equinox’s status as the ‘world’s best racehorse’ on the flat has been cemented further and now the horse racing world will be watching closely what’s next.
Fans will be hoping he races on as a 5 year-old next season, but being a colt there will also be a very lucrative stud option to ponder for his owners.
Japan Cup Result 2023 In Full
- 1st: EQUINOX (30/100 fav)
- 2nd: Liberty Island 27/10
- 3rd: Stars On Earth 26/1
WATCH: Equinox Winning The 2023 Japan Cup in Tokyo
Equinox, the highest rated horse in the world, takes the Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1)!
— IFHA’s Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (@worldsbesthorse) November 26, 2023
Equinox Horse Profile
- Age: 4
- Trainer: Tetsuya Kimura
- Jockey: Christophe-Patrice Lemaire
- Owners: Silk Racing Co Ltd
- Sire: Kitasan Black
- Dam: Chateau Blanche
- Runs: 10
- Wins: 8
- Top Two Finishes: 10
- Grade/Group One Wins: 6
- Career Winnings: £14,038,786
Correct from: 26th Nov 2023
William Buick Finishes Third In 2023 Japan Cup On Stars On Earth
Best of the British-based jockeys was William Buick, who finished third on the Mizuki Takayanagi-trained Stars On Earth at 26/1. While the husband-and-wife combo of Hollie Doyle (Vela Azul) and Tom Marquand (Studley) ended 7th and 8th respectively.
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