“Thank You”: After Japan Cup Victory, Trainer Shares Heartfelt Message with Equinox’s Fans

Standing alongside the likes of Breeders’ and Melbourne Cup the prestigious horse racing event, the Japan Cup has held a status high in the community. The races arrived as per routine on the last Sunday of November to host the anticipated year-end occasion. While horses from across the world raced for the coveted title, it was Equinox that stole the limelight.

Silk Racing Co. Ltd’s 4-year-old, Equinox, was a favorite entering the grounds on Sunday. The equine’s ‘world’s top-rated racehorse’ tag only backed his performance and the support of thousands that he stood to carry. Following the champion’s excellent triumph, trainer Tetsuya Kimura walked down the ramp filled with emotions as they arrived to be unsaddled.

Equinox’s fans receive a thankful note

On the 26th of November, Tetsuya Kimura-trained Equinox fired through the one-and-a-half-mile course of the Tokyo Racecourse. The 4-year-old bested 17 of the other racers on the field; maintaining a comfortable length through to victory. Equinox standing worthy of his ‘best racehorse‘ title called for a thankful note from Kimura to the fans. “I would like to thank all the fans around the world for helping Equinox to run so well in the Japan Cup,” the trainer said in a video shared by World Horse Racing.

In one of the early interviews, the trainer had also mentioned his surprise over the love the 4-year-old received. “What surprised me most about the Japanese fans is that I kept receiving letters, like fan letters for Equinox. From elementary school children or middle school students.” With a track record of his holding, it is only natural for Equinox to turn heads with his presence.

The Champion’s Japan Cup triumph

Entering the course on Sunday, Equinox’s track record highlighted his 7 wins and 2 runner-ups in his 9-start career. It was in 2022 Satsuki Sho and Tokyo Yushun that the champion stumbled to second place; losing an undefeated career streak. However, ever since the latter, Equinox has raced to claim a crown in 5 consecutive events; Japan Cup excluded. But now with that on the board, Equinox stands stronger than ever.

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“As a professional jockey for many years, I work hard to ride for perfection, so today was special. Horse racing fans and lovers were able to see something very special,” Jockey Lemaire stated. Equinox clocked the time at 2:21.80 ahead of Liberty Island and went on to become the first horse to crash the ¥2 billion mark in career earnings.

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