One of three foreign contenders for this year’s Grade 1 Japan Cup, Grand Glory, arrived safely at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture on Friday. The 5-year-old mare was then transported to the quarantine facilities at the JRA Horseracing School Quarantine Center, where she arrived at 11:00 a.m., completing about a 28-hour journey from her home stable.

“She seemed a bit tired from the transportation, but she was relaxed once she settled into her box,” said assistant trainer Anais Dumont. “The trainer’s instructions have been to monitor her condition here and prepare her slowly for the race. We will only trot and canter her leading up to the race (no fast breeze).”

Grand Glory, by Olympic Glory trained by French trainer Gianluca Bietolini, has 6 wins from 17 career starts, including the Grade 1 Prix Jean Romanet in August. She followed up with a narrow second in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) at Longchamp last month.

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