Daiwa Major retains Mile Championship crown

Daiwa Major joined a select group of two-time Mile Championship winners (Photo courtesy of Japan Association for International Horse Racing)

Keizo Oshiro's DAIWA MAJOR (Sunday Silence) successfully defended his title

in the Mile Championship (Jpn-G1) after a riveting stretch drive on Sunday,

capping a brilliant week for his dam, Scarlet Bouquet (Northern Taste). Last

Sunday, Daiwa Major's three-quarters sister, Daiwa Scarlet (Agnes Tachyon),

landed the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Jpn-G1) in front-running

fashion. Trained by Hiroyuki Uehara and ridden to perfection by Katsumi Ando,

Daiwa Major reeled off the mile over Kyoto's firm turf in 1:32.70 to record his

fifth career Grade 1 tally.

American shipper Becrux (Ity) (Glen Jordan), who had raced near the tail of

the 18-horse field, made headway late to report home eighth. The Neil Drysdale

charge was beaten a total of 4 1/2 lengths.

Daiwa Major shot straight to the front early, but under a heady ride by Ando,

he was content to yield the advantage to the battling pair of Lohengrin

(Singspiel [Ire]) and Fusaichi Richard (Kurofune). Daiwa Major settled into an

outside stalking trip in third, still in close touch with the pacesetters while

on cruise control. Traveling supremely well making the right-hand turn for home,

the six-year-old chestnut coasted to the lead in the stretch.

His stiffest test was yet to come. Inside the final furlong, Super Hornet

(Rodrigo de Triano) erupted from midpack and rapidly gained ground on the

outside. Daiwa Major dug down deep, with Ando offering hands and heels

encouragement, and had enough left in reserve to parry Super Hornet's late

thrust by a neck. Another half-length astern came the flying Suzuka Phoenix

(Sunday Silence), who came charging from far back to claim third.

Agnes Ark (Agnes Tachyon) finished a close fourth. Tragically, the high-class

four-year-old, who had given such an excellent account of himself in three major

races this autumn, was pulled up with a fracture and euthanized.