Do Deuce, Last Horse to Defeat Legend Equinox Set to Compete in Major Grade 1 as Season Opener

The whole 2023 horse racing season saw Equinox completely dominating the grid. However, before that dominance came a defeat from a fellow Japanese horse that goes by Do Deuce. When Equinox retired after the 2023 Japan Cup (Gr. 1), Do Deuce was officially the last horse to defeat the 4-year-old colt of Kitasan Black. This season, Do Deuce has yet to attend a race; however, the four-year-old horse has recently registered for an iconic Grade 1 opener that should adequately cement his place in the annals of history.

With the 2024 horse racing season underway, Do Deuce is hoping to keep his winning streak at an all-time high. Will we get to witness the same renewed sense of glory and enthusiasm from the stallion, considering he’s bested living legend Equinox?

Redemption arc for Do Deuce

Either it’s a human or an equine, everyone awaits a good redemption arc. In the X post by Graham Pavey, he also mentioned that for Do Deuce, the “first choice” is the turf, which he missed due to an “issue”. The stallion last year wasn’t able to participate in the Dubai Turf as his trainer scratched him because of lameness. This scratch also happened just after his glorious victory at the Kyoto Kinen (Gr. 2).

The horse didn’t race for a long time after this but was fully recovered physically and mentally to participate in the Tenno Sho Autumn (Gr. 1). In the Grade 1 stakes, though, he wasn’t able to perform well as he only secured a seventh position, losing first to the legend Equinox. Do Deuce entered the Japan Cup (Gr. 1) just after the Tenno Sho Autumn (Gr. 1). However, he was again defeated by none other than Equinox. The rivalry between the Japanese horses ended in the Japan Cup as Equinox retired just after his glorified victory and a perfect 2023 season.

A terrific end to the 2023 season

Do Deuce saw a lot of ups and downs in his 2023 season. He started the season with a win at the Kyoto Kinen (Gr. 2), but after that, he didn’t taste a victory. Just before the new year, on December 24, the horse arrived at Nakayama for the Arima Kinen Grand Prix (Gr. 1). This time the stallion had zero. Equinox on the track was present to take first place away from it.

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From the moment the race started until the very last stretch, Title Holder kept the lead. However, this lead was about to get shattered as Stars on Earth and Do Deuce was about to have a fight to the finish. A few furlongs behind the finish line, the two stallions crossed Title Holder, but out of the two, Do Deuce had the pace and prevailed victorious at the Arima Kinen Grand Prix (Gr. 1). The horse also brought the legendary jockey Yutaka Take his 4th Arima Kinen Grand Prix victory, and the stallion ended the 2023 season in style.

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