By Bren O'Brien
A superb ride by star Irish jockey Oisin Murphy has delivered Suave Richard (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) victory for trainer Yashushi Shono in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo.
Murphy added the Japan Cup to a resume that already includes victories in races such as the G1 Eclipse S, the G1 Nassau S., the G1 Irish Champion S. and the G1 Dubai Turf.
In soft conditions, he plotted a path along the rail with Suave Richard, who was produced for his run when the leader Daiwa Cagney (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) came under pressure 300 metres out. But that horse rolled out and Murphy had to check his run back to the inside with 3-year-old filly Curren Bouquetd'or (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) also making her run.
That pair singled out to fight for the race with 100 metres to go, with Murphy's more efficient ride paying dividends as Suave Richard pulled away late on.
Wagnerian (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) closed off well for third but never threatened the leading two, with Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) while pre-race favourite Rey De Oro (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) never figured at any stage.
There were no internationally trained horses in this year's event.
It is the second Group 1 victory for Suave Richard, who won the G1 Osaka Hai in April 2018 and had finished third behind Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in last year's Japan Cup. He was also third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic behind Old Persian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) earlier this year.
Hearts Cry (Jpn), sire of Sauve Richard
He cost 155 million yen (AU$2.1 million) as a foal at the 2014 JRHA Select Sale when purchased by MMB Co Ltd. He is the sole stakes winner from American mare Pirramimma (USA) (Unbridled Song {USA}), who has produced seven foals, all of whom have been winners, including the stakes-placed Bandwagon (White Muzzle {Jpn}).
The second dam is the multiple Grade 2 winner Career Collection (USA) (General Meeting {USA}), who is a three-quarter sister to American stakes-winners Minor Details (USA) (General Meeting {USA}) and Century Park (USA) (General Meeting {USA}).
It marks another feature win for Shadai Stallion Station's Heart's Cry (Jpn), who had Lys Gracieux (Jpn) win the recent G1 Cox Plate in Australia and who had Cheval Grand (Jpn) win this same race two years ago.
Lys Gracieux (Jpn) wins the G1 Cox Plate in Australia for Shadai Stallion Station's Heart's Cry (Jpn)
It is a career-defining victory for Murphy, who has become one of the rising stars of the world riding scene, having started out at age 17.
"I can’t believe it. This is only my second year here and I haven’t had that many Group 1 rides in Japan. I knew the horse had a great chance and everything went right in the run. I’m absolutely over the moon," he told reporters.
"I can’t believe it. This is only my second year here and I haven’t had that many Group 1 rides in Japan." - Oisin Murphy
Murphy used a 12-month spell in Australia, riding mainly for subsequent Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O'Brien back in 2013 to help gain experience. He rode 13 winners in his time in Australia, with his lone stakes-success in that spell coming aboard Outback Joe (Elvstroem) in the Listed Bagot H.
Since then he has gone from strength to strength and after being crowned champion flat apprentice in 2015, he was elevated to number one jockey for the powerful Qatar Racing outfit. This year, he claimed the title of British Champion Jockey for the first time.
This year Oisin Murphy claimed the title of British Champion Jockey for the first time
