A pair of Aidan O’Brien-trained runners for this year’s Grade 1 Japan Cup, Broome (IRE) and Japan (GB), arrived safely to Japan on Friday, after a 24-hour trip from their home stable. The two 5-year-old horses arrived at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture and were transported to the quarantine facility at the JRA Horseracing School, arriving at 19:15 p.m.

“Both horses were in fine condition before they left home, and they look fine after arriving here,” said assistant trainer Patrick Keating. “We plan to only give them some light canter leading up to the race.”

The horses have much in common: They not only run for the same trainer, but coincidentally, have the same race record and are registered under the same owners (Masaaki Matsushima, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith) – and both last contested in the Breeders’ Cup Turf earlier this month at Del Mar, with Broome finishing a half length behind Yibir for second and Japan three more lengths behind for fourth. Both horses have 7 wins from 21 career starts, but Japan has the edge in the number of Grade 1 victories with two (2019 Grand Prix de Paris, International Stakes) on his resume. Broome captured his first win at the top level this year, winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July .

The Japan Cup will be run on Sunday, Nov. 28 at Tokyo Racecourse, with a scheduled post time of 15:40 local time.