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Connections of Japanese Arc hopeful Shin Emperor believe he has what it takes to land Europe’s premier middle-distance contest in Paris on Sunday.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained Shin Emperor will carry the hopes of Japan as he bids to take on the world's best middle-distance horses in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
A full-brother to Sottsass, who landed the Arc four years ago for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, Shin Emperor arrives in Paris after an eye-catching third-place finish behind multiple Group 1 winners Economics and Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
With the step back up to a mile and a half to suit and soft ground not expected to pose any problems, connections of the €2.1million yearling clearly fancy their chances of breaking Japan's duck in Paris.
"I knew about the (soft) ground, and I brought this horse over to run in this race because his pedigree suggests, as well as how he runs, that he will handle the ground and I think he will run well," explained trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who has previous Arc experience after saddling Stay Foolish to finish 14th behind Alpinista in attritional conditions two years ago.
"I came over with Stay Foolish but this time I have more of a chance because the horse is really able to handle the ground.
"I have won many races, but I have never won in Europe. I've not won the Arc, and it really is the summit of all races and so to win it is not easy.
"If you look it is a very European race, it's run over a mile and a half, and the winners are all European. Maybe the ground has been complicated for us, but that's why I have brought over this horse."
While Yahagi is no stranger to top-level success across the globe with the likes of Panthalassa, winner of the Dubai Turf and the Saudi Cup, Cox Plate hero Lys Gracieux and Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong heroine Loves Only You, there's no doubt the Arc sits right towards the very top of the list of races he wishes to win.
He said: "For the Japanese, this is a very important race, a more and more important race. For 50 years I have been dreaming about this race, it's been my goal to come here and I'm very emotional that I am now in France and have a runner in this race.
"It's a very difficult race to win but when I bought this horse, I dreamt about bringing him here to France for the Arc. The percentage of doing that and getting to the start is very slim and it's a miracle that I have been able to bring him here.
"It's really thanks to my efforts and the owners and jockey that we were able to bring him here, so I have already succeeded in that miracle of bringing him here to France."
Both trainer and jockey will be eyeing a big-race across-the-glove double after Ryusei Sakai steered the Breeders' Cup-bound Forever Young to glory in the JBC Dirt Classic at Ohi racecourse on Wednesday.
With that race already in the bag, Yahagi admits he can now relax to enjoy the Arc.
He added: "Thankfully, I won so I could come to France with a light heart, and I can now concentrate on the Arc."
Sakai said of the victory: "I was very happy we won on Wednesday – if I had not won that race, I don't think I would have wanted to get on the plane."
