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John Murtagh wins 2011 World Super Jockeys Series title

John Murtagh won this year's World Super Jockeys Series title in his sixth participation in this event and having finished an overall third last year.

While securing his victory with 20 points acquired with his win in the Golden Whip Trophy with second favorite Asuka Kurichan, the Irish champion demonstrated his remarkable riding skills aboard less favored mounts in his other three races and turned in consistent results which led to his preeminence in this event and claiming the overall title with 48 points.

“I am extremely happy to have won this series, in which top jockeys in Japan and from abroad gather to compete. After Hiroto won the first two on the first day, I knew that it wasn't going to be easy. I was able to see a lot of my friends in Japan again on this visit and I had a lot of fun, so I'm very grateful to have been able to come here. You have great races here in Japan and I would certainly love to come back here again to participate next year”, commented the WSJS champion when interviewed at the closing ceremony.

Hiroto Yoshihara representing the National Association of Racing (NAR), dominated the first two legs, the Golden Saddle Trophy and the Golden Bridle Trophy, to acquire 40 points on the first day of the series in his first WSJS challenge, and while unlucky in his following two rides, finished an overall second with 42 points.

“I'm just so happy to be here. I had high hopes after winning both races yesterday, but I've also experienced the taste of the severity of the game. It's a great honor to be standing here on the podium. It was great to hear the fans rooting for us—it was a great encouragement. Thank you very much”, said Yoshihara

Norihiro Yokoyama, WSJS champion in 1995 and 2009, came in third with 35 points.

“It was great riding against the world's best jockeys, and I'm especially happy to see John, who has been my friend since we competed against each other in the Young Jockeys World Championship in 1992. Thanks to the fans for your support” commented Yokoyama.

[3rd leg] 2011 GOLDEN BOOTS TROPHY

Sunday, December 4, 2011   Hanshin Racecourse   10th Race   Post Time: 15:00
3-year-old & up, 2,000 meters (about 10 furlongs), turf, right-handed
3-y-o winner of ¥10 million or less, 4-y-o & up winner of ¥20 million or less
3-y-o: 57kg, 4-y-o & up: 58kg, 2kg allowance for Fillies and Mares, 15 runners

Ebina positioned his mount well off the pace, third from last, as race favorite Satono Shuren under Kenichi Ikezoe led the pace for most of the journey, with Ramon Dominguez and ninth pick Marutaka Cyclennon pressing the pace 3/4 lengths behind in second down the backstretch; Yuichi Fukunaga on fifth pick Admire Temba hugged the rails in fourth inside Ioritz Mendizabal on Celebrity, while Yuga Kawada settled fourth favorite Lord of the Ring in midfield.

With 800 meters to go, the rear group began to close up towards the front to secure their position for the stretch with Fukunaga making a distinct move to make headway along the outside. Ebina slipped his mount between horses in front as he bided his time for the attack.

As the field circled the turn for home, Dominguez was the first out to pin down Ikezoe's Satono Shuren who had nothing more to give from his early efforts, but was quickly outrun by Fukunaga and Admire Temba who found another gear to pass Dominguez and draw away from the rest of the field. However, with just less than 50 meters to go, he was joined by Ebina's Tokai Aurora who burst out from between horses down the center of the lane, just in time to duel for the last few strides and nose out for the win. 1-1/4 lengths behind the two was Kawada's Lord of the Ring who also gave a terrific effort after circling wide, but was unable to reach the leaders while holding off Luke Nolen and Merveille d'Or by a neck for the share.

4th: (10) Luke Nolen— raced 11th 2W, angled out last turn, rallied for third
5th: (6) John Murtagh— saved ground to 4th corner in rear group, followed winner under strong urging
6th: (14) Norihiro Yokoyama— 4th from rear, turned wide, closed in well from outside
7th: (1) Brett Prebble— hugged rail throughout in 7th, in contention at stretch
8th: (2) Paul Hanagan— settled 5th by rail, rallied but faltered in the last 50 meters
9th: (8) Ramon Dominguez— broke well, pressed pace, weakened from early effort
10th: (13) Eduardo Pedroza— raced 8th 2W, one paced at straight
11th: (11) John Velazquez— forwardly placed 2W, faded 200 meters out
12th: (3) Kenichi Ikezoe— set pressed pace, came up empty soon after last turn
13th: (4) Hiroto Yoshihara— 2nd from last, entered stretch last, never a contender
14th: (5) Yasunari Iwata— slow break, trailed in rear, turned wide to make bid but no response
15th: (12) Ioritz Mendizabal— raced behind the pace in 3-4th, gave way after 4th corner

-Comments by Foreign Jockeys-

4th: Luke Nolen
“We were pinched back from horses on both sides at the start but she ran smoothly and responded well when asked. She has a good turn of speed.”

5th: John Murtagh
“He has a big stride and felt good over the dirt surface. A pair of blinkers could be useful for this horse.”

7th: Brett Prebble
“We were squeezed against the rail going around the first turn. I'm glad that the colt was able to finish safely.”

8th: Paul Hanagan
“We had a good jump out of the gate and got a good position. We had a little disadvantage going around the first corner, and met traffic again going into the straight, but he gave his best right to the end. He gets a little out of focus sometimes so blinkers might help.”

9th: Ramon Dominguez
“He ran a smooth race and went as instructed but he was used up in the end—the distance may be a little long for this colt. He would suit between 1,600 and 1,800 meters.”

10th: Eduardo Pedroza
“She's an honest filly and easy to ride. We had a smooth trip but, perhaps because she's just come off a long spell, she was out of breath in the end.”

11th: John Velazquez
“I was able to place him during the trip, but he didn't respond after the fourth corner. I don't think the 2,000-meter distance is a problem, though.”

15th: Ioritz Mendizabal
“I was really looking forward to riding this filly, who I heard is a full sister to Vodka. She traveled at a relaxed and smooth pace during the race but then she suddenly had nothing left at the stretch. Maybe the distance is a little too long for her.”

[Final leg] 2011 GOLDEN WHIP TROPHY

Sunday, December 4, 2011   Hanshin Racecourse   12th Race   Post Time: 16:25
3-year-old & up, 1,600 meters (about 1 miles), turf, right-handed
3-y-o winner of ¥16 million or less, 4-y-o & up winner of ¥32 million or less
3-y-o: 57kg, 4-y-o & up: 58kg, 2kg allowance for Fillies and Mares, 15 runners

The race broke off with Brett Prebble mounting Tatsu Mi Ryu immediately taking the front for the first 300 meters. The lead was soon inherited by John Velazquez mounting fifth pick Agnes Waltz, who accelerated from the outermost draw while Ioritz Mendizabal riding Bravosky saved ground close to the leaders with Yuichi Fukunaga aboard Nashwan Hero on his outside. Murtagh, breaking smoothly from draw five, settled his mount around fifth from the front by the rail, while Norihiro Yokoyama on board sixth choice Lift the Wings broke slowly and trailed third from the rear.

With Velazquez's filly still leading the field and persistently accelerating along the homestretch, Murtagh' colt found a narrow opening inside Velazquez in mid-stretch and unleashed an impressive turn of foot to capture the front 50 meters out for the title. Yokoyama and his colt, who entered the stretch wide and last in the field, displayed a remarkable late charge from the outside, running the last three furlongs the fastest in the field, to nail Velazquez right before the wire and further close in on the winner to a nose second.

4th: (4) Ramon Dominguez— stalked winner, stretched well despite meeting traffic.
5th: (6) Yasunari Iwata— trailed, threaded through horses with strong late charge.
6th: (7) Eduardo Pedroza— 3W in rearward position, stretched well from outside.
7th: (8) Paul Hanagan— 2nd from rear, turned wide, good effort in straight.
8th: (1) Ioritz Mendizabal— raced in 3rd, held on well but weakened 100m out.
9th: (13) Brett Prebble— pressed pace after leading briefly, faded in last furlong.
10th: (11) Yuichi Fukunaga— traveled 2W in 4th, one paced at straight.
11th: (10) Kenichi Ikezoe— 3W in mid-division, failed to respond at stretch.
12th: (2) Yuga Kawada— settled 6th from front, passed by rivals after 200m pole.
13th: (12) Hiroto Yoshihara— 3W in 7th, faded soon after last turn.
14th: (9) Luke Nolen— 5th from rear, used up by 4th corner.
15th: (3) Masayoshi Ebina— settled in mid-division, came up empty.

-Comments by Foreign Jockeys-

1st: John Murtagh
“I was able to place my colt in a perfect position and got the best result. He displayed a good drive in the homestretch. He's a good horse.”

3rd: John Velazquez
“She was an easy filly to ride with great talent. I thought we had the win at the homestretch… She broke in air at the gate so it took time to take the front, which might have affected her speed in the end.”

4th: Ramon Dominguez
“My mount was excited before entering the track, but he calmed down and was relaxed during the race. I had to hold him back to avoid the horse that dropped back in front of us.”

6th: Eduardo Pedroza
“I was able to race him in good position, and he gave good effort at the stretch but didn't have enough drive at the end.”

7th: Paul Hanagan
“We had to race from behind, but she seems to dislike being surrounded by horses, so I think this racing style suits her. She stretched well in the straight but I think a longer distance would be better for her.”

8th: Ioritz Mendizabal
“He almost stood on his hind inside the starting stall and did not break well. Trying to take the front after that may have sapped his stamina at the end. The distance may have been a little too long for the colt.”

9th: Brett Prebble
“We broke well and I was able to race him in good position, but the colt lacked the final kick.”

14th: Luke Nolen
“He was keen from the start. He was used up by the fourth corner and had nothing left at the stretch.”

[Other Races Ridden by Foreign Jockeys]

1st race: Two-Year-Olds (Maiden), dirt, 1,400m, 14 runners
Ramon Dominguez—4th on Silk Symphony (JPN), 6th favorite
Ioritz Mendizabal—14th on Sinister Queen (JPN), 10th favorite

3rd race: Two-Year-Olds (Maiden), turf, 1,400m, 13 runners
Ioritz Mendizabal—1st on Area Complete (JPN), 7th favorite

4th race: Two-Year-Olds (Maiden), turf, 1,800m, 10 runners
Ioritz Mendizabal—1st on Danon Orient (JPN), 4th favorite

6th race: Two-Year-Olds (Newcomer), dirt, 1,800m, 10 runners
Ramon Dominguez—3rd on Art of King (USA), 7th favorite

8th race: Three-Year-Olds & Up (Allowance (10Million & Less)), dirt, 1,200m, 15 runners
Ramon Dominguez—9th on Take a Bet (JPN), 6th favorite
Brett Prebble—11th on Pisa no Prive (JPN), 15th favorite

9th race: Senryo Sho (Two-Year-Olds, Allowance (5Million & Less)), turf, 1,600m, 11 runners
Ioritz Mendizabal—8th on Laughing in May (JPN), 7th favorite
John Velazquez—9th on Brocken (JPN), 9th favorite

11th race: Japan Cup Dirt (G1) (Three-Year-Olds & Up), dirt, 1,800m, 16 runners
Ioritz Mendizabal—8th on Solitary King (JPN), 11th favorite
Brett Prebble—10th on Birdie Birdie (JPN), 12th favorite