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Connections of Japanese ace Durezza are relishing taking on City Of Troy in Juddmonte International Stakes at York next week.
The Tomohito Ozeki -trained Durezza will bid to join both Agnes World and Deirdre as Group 1 winners in Britain when taking on the red-hot favourite City Of Troy on the Knavesmire. Durezza landed on UK soil early hours on Sunday 4th of August and has settled in well to Charlie Fellowes' historic Bedford Lodge Stables in Newmarket.
Durezza already has claimed top-level honours in his native Japan having been successful in the one-mile seven-furlong Japanese St Leger and will now attempt to get his career back on track after a disappointing effort in the Tenno Sho (Group 1) at Kyoto in April.
The four-year-old son of Japanese Derby hero Duramente is owned by Carrot Farm Ltd, an affiliation of Japanese breeding powerhouses Northern Farm, who have been responsible for producing the likes of Deep Impact, Almond Eye, and most recently the brilliant six-time Group 1 winner Equinox.
The Juddmonte International will see Durezza take a significant drop back in trip to ten furlongs, but with winning form over the distance in Japan, connections are certainly hopeful he can translate those efforts to the biggest stage in Europe.
"He has won the Japanese St Leger, but his other four wins have been around 10 furlongs," said Yusuke Sai, racing manager for Japan's Northern Farm.
"He is not a thorough stayer; he has a bit of class. He can stay, but we think 10 furlongs to a mile and a half is his best distance."
Durezza is a general 33/1 chance for next Wednesday's feature at York, with Derby and Eclipse superstar City Of Troy heading the market at a best-priced 11/10. Whilst the Japanese star may have plenty ahead of him in the betting, Yusuke Sai appears to be relishing testing his contender against what he described as 'the best horse in Europe'.
He said: "For me, the International Stakes is the best race in Europe, and we are excited about running – especially against City Of Troy, who looks the best horse in Europe right now."
Northern Farm will be hoping to add to its ever-growing tally of overseas winners, as the mammoth breeding operation looks to land its first British Group 1 since Deirdre's Nassau Stakes victory in 2019.
Yusuke Sai added: "Winning Group 1's overseas is what we are targeting at Northern Farm. We have sent horses to Dubai and the Breeders' Cup most years.
"Equinox was bred by Northern Farm, and he won in Dubai and both Marche Lorraine and Loves Only You won at the Breeders' Cup are also great horses bred by Northern Farm.
"The CEO of Carrot Farm is a daughter of the CEO of Northern Farm, so we are all part of the same family and Carrot Farm has a very close relationship with Northern Farm. Carrot Farm syndicate horses bred by Northern Farm."
Regular rider Christophe Lemaire, who missed Durezza's most recent outing in Kyoto's Tenno Sho in April through injury, has been booked to ride at York next week. "Christophe Lemaire is coming over to ride," explained Sai. "He rode him in the Japanese St Leger and is the main jockey of Durezza – he couldn't ride last time as he got injured in Dubai on World Cup night."
Whilst the Juddmonte International has always been an intended target for the Japanese star, a tilt at Japan's biggest prize, the Japan Cup, was always outlined as his season-long objective.
"It has always been the plan to race at York, even though he didn't run well last time," added Sai, who was returning to Charlie Fellowes' Bedford Lodge Stables for the first time since working for the masterful Luca Cumani a decade ago. "Last time he ran, he kind of had heat stroke, so that is one reason we have brought him to run in nice cool weather. He's relaxed and settled in well."
"We have watched him carefully and he seems ok. There are only a few options for Group 1 horses in Japan over the summertime and choosing one over 10 furlongs is why we brought him.
"His main target is the Japan Cup. It has always been in mind, and he has had a nice break since his last run.
"I think York is incredibly flat compared to other UK tracks and I think it will suit him for sure. He is happy and enjoying the weather."
