He confirmed that the first experience with the horse exceeded expectations

Cuaga: Yoshba Tesoro's victory in the Dubai World Cup came with a taste of gold

  • Japanese colt Yoshuba Tesoro snatched victory in the Dubai World Cup. From the source

  • Japanese jockey Yoga Kwaga celebrates on Yoshba Tesoro. Cinematographer: Patrick Castillo

image

Jockey Yoga Kwaja confirmed that the victory he achieved, the day before yesterday, with the Japanese horse «Yoshuba Tesoro» in the 27th edition of the «Dubai World Cup» with prizes of $ 12 million, came with the taste of «gold», as he described, especially as it is the first time that Koaja rides the horse in a global race.

Cuaja said in a press statement after the coronation ceremony: «The race was very exciting, especially in the last 600 meters, after he (Yoshba Tesoro) succeeded in compensating for his delay throughout the stages of the race, and rushing towards the front and achieving a victory that exceeded expectations at the expense of horses strongly nominated for the title.

"There were eight Japanese horses on the field, some of whom were nominated for the title due to their achievements on the international stage, but Yoshba Tesoro, who made his debut outside Japan in Dubai, and I had the privilege of riding for the first time in my career, showed very strong endurance and motivation, as we were far behind the front horses in the early stages, before we were gradually able to reduce the gap to five lengths in the last 600m, and the horse continued to respond to the rush from the outside line. And pounce on the bra to the finish line."

Japanese trainer Toburo Takagi, who oversees the training of Yoshuba Tesoro, said that winning in Dubai in a first outdoor test for the horse encourages a repeat of the experience in other international races, and said: "The rapid acclimatization of the horse in training on the ground (Meydan) gave us a positive indication of the success of the experiment, as it is the first time he travels to participate outside Japan," adding that «it was just a matter of keeping the horse at a good pace in the race, and he did it well towards achieving Win."

Takagi spoke about the style he followed with the jockey during the course of the race, and said: «We tried to focus on the rhythm of the horse and avoid entering early competition, especially with other Japanese horses, who chose in the early stages to settle in the middle, although I am confident that the horse can achieve a positive result, I was surprised by the victory».

"The main factor for success is the quality we have in Japan in depth and research, in the way we have adopted in the team to study competitors, whether we have already tested them in Japanese races, or other competitors." On the next destination of the Dubai World Cup champion, Takagi concluded: "Success in Dubai encourages other experiences, and the inclusion of the horse in some European races, especially French races in the Arc de Triomphe, but this will be determined after returning to Japan."

• Yoshba Tesoro showed very strong endurance and drive, especially in the final metres.

Yoshba Tesoro wins the biggest award of his career

The generous prize fund of the Dubai World Cup totaling $12 million has awarded Japanese horse Yoshuba Tesoro the first place prize of $6.9 million, the largest in the horse's career.

The six-year-old's career included 28 races before coming to Dubai, eight of which he won for a runner-up and a third place in five times, winning a total prize money of $8.5 million, before his total prize pool after winning the Dubai World Cup rose to $15.4 million.

The representative of Ryotokugi Kenji Holding, the owner of the horse crowned champion of the Dubai World Cup, Japanese Chiyoda Kenji, commented: "The victory in Dubai encourages more Japanese horses to come and compete for the Dubai World Cup title, especially since Japan's record in the main half is limited to only two victories with Victoire Pesa in 2011 and Yoshuba Tesoro in 2023."

He added: "Most Japanese owners prefer to participate in the UAE Derby, within the runs of the Dubai World Cup evening, and Japanese horses have a proven record of victories in this tournament, but the victory of (Yoshba Tesoro) in the main run, which this year witnessed heavy Japanese participation, will encourage the continued arrival of Japanese owners and horses in future editions with the ambition of winning."