The first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby, has always been the highlight of the horse racing realm. Being the most-watched and most-attended race in the US, Kentucky Derby is also termed as “The Run for the Roses”. But which stellar equine will receive the rose blanket depends on the races held throughout the year. So, naturally, this iconic race is every trainer’s dream.

Among the top-tier thoroughbred racehorse trainers, Japan’s Yoshito Yahagi has a high chance of making it to the Kentucky racetrack this time. The first Japanese trainer with Breeders Cup wins, Yahagi has another special reason to celebrate today. And all the credit goes to her beloved equines.

Horse racing legend’s triumphant moment

According to World Horse Racing’s X post, two of Yahagi’s horses have made it to the Kentucky Derby as contenders. So, to celebrate this news, the X page posted a video with the caption, “Yoshito Yahagi has another @KentuckyDerby contender!!! FOREVER YOUNG follows DERMA SOTOGAKE in winning the JPNG1 Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun and earns Derby points!”

The points system known as the Road to Kentucky Derby is a qualifying criteria, which selects winner horses for the Kentucky Derby starting gate. Though the system has seen slight alterations over the years, the base rules remain the same. With dozens of stakes races of 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds, only 5 top finishers of each race earn Derby points.

Since only 20 horses get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete, it’s a tough road to tread on. But Yoshito Yahagi is a strong-willed man, who has successfully led a life of training winner horses. Now, as his steed is looking strong to secure Derby victory, let’s know more about Yahagi’s career achievements.

Yoshito Yahagi’s notable Breeders Cup victory

Yahagi has already turned heads in Australia, the UAE, and Hong Kong before etching his name in history. On November 6, 2021, two of his beloved equines, Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine, secured victories in the BC race. Prior to making his mark at the BC, Loves Only You had already left an international imprint, particularly in the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) and the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

Sharing some of his post-race feelings, Yahagi had said, “Traveling with two fillies from Japan wasn’t the ideal plan, but Marche Lorraine was a good partner for Loves Only You. And Marche Lorraine had three victories over turf in Japan and I thought that for horses to be competitive on the dirt in the U.S., they need to have some sort of speed, which means like winning turf races in Japan.”

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Japan’s horse racing enthusiasts have their eyes on the two performers now, as they step foot on the Derby ground next year.

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