Ed Odeven 
Do Deuce, guided by Yutaka Take, wins the 44th Japan Cup by a nose on November 24, 2024, at Tokyo Racecourse. (©KYODO)
Do Deuce was the overwhelming pick for the Japan Racing Association's 2024 Horse of the Year honor.
The Heart's Cry progeny triumphed in two of his four domestic races in 2024, finishing first in October's Tenno Sho (Autumn) and November's Japan Cup. Those victories resonated with journalists, who cast 236 of 256 votes for Do Deuce, the JRA announced on Tuesday, January 7.
In Do Deuce's two Grade 1 wins in 2024, he made stirring comebacks in the final stretch of both races, with legendary jockey Yutaka Take handling the reins.
After Do Deuce's improbable rally from worst to first to win the Japan Cup, Take commented on his racing partner's effort.
"Making ground from the last corner, his speed was so great that he was already in front in an instant and, after that, a normal horse would be worn out and pinned down," Take said at Tokyo Racecourse on November 24. "But this horse is exceptional and while I wasn't sure that I'd won until the end, I kept believing he would stay and he did."
Do Deuce: An Unfortunate End to a Great Career
The 5-year-old was scheduled to appear in his farewell race at the Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) on December 22, but Do Deuce was forced to pull out due to a right forelimb strain two days before the big event.
In addition to being named Japan's Horse of the Year, Do Deuce was chosen as the Best Older Colt or Horse.
Between 2021 and '24, the Northern Farm-bred thoroughbred appeared in 13 races in Japan and won eight times, including five G1 events. The others: the 2021 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, the 2022 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and the 2023 Arima Kinen).
“He deserves to be the Horse of the Year," Take was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports.
"[Do Deuce] will be a stallion at Shadai Stallion Station [in Hokkaido Prefecture] from this year. The stallion's dream will continue with his offspring, who will be born next year."
More 2024 JRA Awards Announced
Other JRA awards for 2024 included Best Two-Year-Old Colt (Croix du Nord), Best Two-Year-Old Filly (Arma Veloce), Best Three-Year-Old Colt (Danon Decile), Best Three-Year-Old Filly (Cervinia), Best Older Filly or Mare (Stunning Rose), Best Sprinter (Lugal), Best Miler (Soul Rush), Best Dirt Horse (Lemon Pop), and Best Steeplechase Horse (Nishino Daisy).
Forever Young, third-place finisher at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, was named the Special Award recipient. The 3-year-old bay colt triumphed in October's Japan Dirt Classic and December's Tokyo Daishoten, a pair of National Association of Racing (NAR) events at Oi Racecourse.
In the 11 award categories (excluding the Special Award), the closest vote tally occurred for the Best Three-Year-Old Colt honor, with Danon Decile receiving 144 votes and Forever Young getting 103. And the second-closest tally was for the Best Older Filly or Mare accolade. Stunning Rose got 138 votes, followed by Ten Happy Rose with 95.
JRA Recognizes Top Trainers and Jockeys
Yoshito Yahagi, Forever Young's trainer, was recognized as Japan's Best Trainer (races won) in 2024 with 61 victories. NAR's local races and overseas events were also included in the total.
Hiroyasu Tanaka, who oversaw Lemon Pop's three-race win streak to close out 2024, secured the Best Trainer (winning average) at 23.9%. He was also picked for the Best Trainer (training technique) prize.
Well-established veteran stable boss Yasuo Tomomichi had the most successful year from a financial standpoint. Do Deuce's overseer was honored as the Best Trainer (money earned) with nearly ¥2.36 billion JPY (about $14.9 million USD) from race purses.
For French jockey Christophe Lemaire, 2024 was another ultra-successful year. He claimed a trio of JRA Best Jockey honors: for races won (176), winning average (29.8%) and money earned (nearly ¥3.7 billion, or about $23.1 million).
Since 2017, Lemaire has finished with the most wins among JRA jockeys in seven of eight seasons.
Keita Tosaki, winner of the Arima Kinen aboard Regaleira on December 22, earned the Most Valuable Jockey prize. It's determined by a quartet of categories (number of wins, win average, earnings and total rides for the year).
Additional prizes were awarded to Kayata Komaki (Best Steeplechase Jockey) and Riki Takasugi (Best Jockey, newcomer). Take was selected for the jockeys' Special Award.
The JRA Awards Ceremony is scheduled for January 27 in Tokyo.
RELATED:
- Hopeful Stakes: Croix du Nord Collects 3rd Straight Victory
- Japan Cup: Do Deuce Completes a Magnificent Comeback to Win the G1 Race
- Equinox is the Overwhelming Pick for the JRA's Horse of the Year Award
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
