Auguste Rodin In ‘Fine Form’ Ahead Japan Cup Swansong Run In Tokyo

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Auguste Rodin is reported in ‘fine form’ ahead of his LAST EVER career run this weekend as the 2023 Epsom Derby winner will be looking to go out on a high in the Japan Cup.

Auguste Rodin Prepares For Japan Cup Bid With Tokyo Racecourse Gallop

Having won eight of his 15 career races, the high class Auguste Rodin, who is trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, will be hoping for one final win this weekend.

His final race will come in the 2024 Japan Cup in Tokyo – a race that’s been a target since he was beaten a neck in the Irish Champions Stakes by Economics on the 14th September at Leopardstown.

He also won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. However, after that was beaten into fifth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He’ll also be taking on the winner of that race – Goliath – again in the Japan Cup.

The 4 year-old has travelled over well – with Aidan O’Brien saying  after his Tokyo gallop (watch below).

“He did a lovely seven furlongs on the grass this morning, just to show him the track, and he looked comfortable. Rachel (Richardson, rider) was happy with him, Patrick (Keating), who takes care of him, said he came back to the barn in good condition. We’re all pleased with how he is.”

“He’s a horse that has speed and class, has long strides and big actions and is great at the mile-and-a-half distance, so I think the course here at Tokyo and the Japan Cup will suit him.”

Regular rider Ryan Moore will make the trip over to ride Auguste Rodin.

The best horse racing betting sites in the UK will also have markets on the 2024 Japan Cup for anyone looking to place a wager on Auguste Rodin winning his final every race.

All systems go 🚀

Auguste Rodin goes through some faster work on the turf track at Tokyo as he builds up to Sunday’s Japan Cup 🇯🇵

The final race of his great career 🥹 pic.twitter.com/IVPafq89Ea

— British Champions Day (@Champions_Day) November 20, 2024

Auguste Rodin To Be Given ‘Special’ Retirement Ceremony After 2024 Japan Cup

The 2023 Epsom Derby winner, who has won just shy of £5m in career prize money, will also be honoured by the Japan Cup race officials – getting an special retirement ceremony.

This is not uncommon for Japan racing to celebrate their horse racing stars. However, it will be the first time it’s been done for a European-trained horse.

Maybe this is to do with Auguste Rodin’s sire being Deep Impact – the winner of the Japan Cup in 2006.

Auguste Rodin Career Win Numbers

Has A European-Trained Horse Ever Won The Japan Cup?

Since 2006 EVERY winner of the Japan Cup has come from within their homeland. With the last European-trained winner coming in 2005 when Frankie Dettori guided hope the Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased.

Prior to that the recently retired Sir Michael Stoute also raided the Tokyo race in 1996 and 1997 when his classy Pilsudski (Mick Kinane) and Singspiel (Frankie Dettori) won the top Far East prize in back-to-back years for the yard.

Clive Brittain was also on the Japan Cup hall-of-fame for Britain. He won in 1986 with the Pat Eddery-ridden Jupiter Island.

What Time Will The Japan Cup Be Shown In The UK?

With Tokyo being nine hours ahead of London, the 2024 Japan Cup will be shown at 06:40am on Sunday 24th November.

You can also watch the 2024 Japan Cup live on Racing TV in the UK.

HOPEFULLY A HOMECOMING KING pic.twitter.com/ULVIRkpZR6

— AIDANOBRIENFANSITE (@aobrienfansite) November 19, 2024

Recent Japan Cup Winners

WATCH: Equinox Winning The 2023 Japan Cup