Incredible Four-Times for Japan and Lemaire

Dancing Prince claims The Riyadh Dirt Sprint with compatriot
Chain Of Love third

Christophe Lemaire riding Dancing. Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Mathea Kelley

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The Japanese domination of King Abdulaziz Racecourse continued in The Riyadh Dirt Sprint presented by Saudia, with a facile victory for Dancing Prince (JPN) giving Christophe Lemaire and Japan an unprecedented fourth victory at The Saudi Cup meeting.

The Keisuke Miyata-trained six-year-old had the run of the Group 3 race from the off after bursting from the gates to claim the lead. Setting blistering early fractions, he maintained his advantage and galloped into the straight with Good Effort (IRE) in hot pursuit. Ismail Mohammed’s runner was always going to have to settle for second, however, as Dancing Prince surged further clear in the closing stages to win by five and three-quarter lengths.

The winner of his only two starts in Japan in the last 12 months, including the Grade 3 Capella Stakes in December, the consistent Dancing Prince has now won nine of his 13 lifetime starts.

Adding to Japan’s incredible night in Riyadh, Chain Of Love (JPN), trained by Michihiro Ogasa, ran on well to take third, three and three-quarter lengths behind the runner-up. 

Takuhito Sawae, assistant to trainer Keisuke Miyaga, Dancing Prince, 1st: "This is only our third season training, so this is huge. This is our best moment."

Jockey Christophe Lemaire said: "This is unbelievable. I knew this was a very good horse and it’s easy when you are riding good horses. I’m so happy for connections. I have been in Japan for two years with the restrictions and no travel, so I was fresh tonight! My horses were just too good tonight. I don’t know what to say."

Christophe Lemaire's first win was in the US 1.5M The Neon Turf Cup presented by Jahez, in which he rode Authority (JPN, Orfevre x Rosalind). Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia // Mahmoud Khaled

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Christophe Lemaire's second win was in the US 1.5M The 1351 Turf Sprint presented by stc, in which he rode Songline (JPN, Kizuna x Luminous Parade). Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia // Neville Hopwood

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Christophe Lemaire's third win was in the US 2.5M The Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap, in which he rode Stay Foolish (JPN, Stay Gold x Kauai Lane). Credit: Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia // Mahmoud Khaled

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