Danon Decile gets the jump on Calandagan in Dubai Sheema Classic

Last year’s Japanese champion three-year-old male, Danon Decile, scored in his first international foray in Saturday’s $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan. Working out an ideal trip from just off the pace, he surged past defending champion Rebel’s Romance, got the decisive jump on Calandagan, and locked up his spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

French raider Calandagan and Godolphin’s globetrotting Rebel’s Romance went off as joint 8-5 favorites, with slightly more in the win pool on the former. Danon Decile rewarded his loyalists with $21.60.

Rebel’s Romance arguably was a bit too keen in his title defense, making an early bid down the backstretch to overtake the Japanese leaders Shin Emperor and Durezza. Calandagan, on the other hand, committed the opposite fault of lagging lackadaisically farther back.

Danon Decile abided by the principle that virtue lies in the mean, between those two extremes. Jockey Keita Tosaki had him perched about midpack, within hailing distance of the pace. 

When Rebel’s Romance tried to put the race away turning into the stretch, Danon Decile unleashed his turn of foot to take command. Calandagan set off in pursuit, but too late, as Danon Decile held sway by 1 1/4 lengths. The Shogo Yasuda pupil covered about 1 1/2 miles in 2:27.05.

Durezza, who was briefly caught for speed when the pace lifted, stayed on dourly to grab third from the tiring Rebel’s Romance. Giavellotto, Cervinia, Shin Emperor, Deira Mile, and Calif rounded out the order under the wire.

Bred by Shadai Farm and campaigned by Danox Co. Ltd., Danon Decile used similar tactical virtuosity to prevail in the 2024 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1). The son of Epiphaneia concluded the season with a third in the prestigious Arima Kinen (G1), and he warmed up with a cozy win in the Jan. 26 American Jockey Club Cup (G2) at Nakayama. His resume now reads 9-5-0-1.

If Danon Decile does capitalize on his pass to Del Mar, he could take care of some unfinished business for his dam, Top Decile. The daughter of Congrats was a closing second, beaten just a half-length, in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).