Fukunaga Returns to Deauville for Jacques Lemans After Rivals Withdraw
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Japanese legendary jockey Fukunaka Yutaka returns to Deauville Racecourse on August 16 to compete in the Jacques Lemans (1600m Grade 1), riding Lucky Coin. The race has become wide open following the sudden retirement of unbeaten Dramatic Weather and the absence of main rival Snowy Mountain District. Fukunaka, 57, recently became Japan's oldest jockey to win a Grade 1 race and seeks another historic achievement in France.
Key Points
- Fukunaka Yutaka, 57 years and 3 months old, became Japan's oldest jockey to win a Grade 1 race, now targeting Jacques Lemans success at Deauville
- Lucky Coin and another Japanese runner One Bunch of Flowers arrived in Deauville on August 8 after a 33-hour journey to prepare for Sunday's race
- Dark Enemy, winner of the Jersey Stakes (1400m Grade 1), remains in France to compete instead of traveling to York's 1400m Grade 1 event
- French 2000 Guineas (1600m Grade 1) winner Transcend aims to rebound after finishing behind Dark Enemy last time out
- Trainer O'Brien fields Precision (Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner) in pursuit of a new single-season Grade 1 wins record
Why It Matters
The Jacques Lemans represents one of Europe's most prestigious mile races for all ages and serves as a highlight of the month-long Deauville Race Carnival . The open nature of this year's contest—stripped of its two strongest contenders—creates unprecedented opportunities for international competitors, particularly Japanese horses seeking to replicate the historic 1998 success when Japan's Tree Express won this race a week after claiming the Yasuda Kinen .
The Jacques Lemans represents one of Europe's most prestigious mile races for all ages and serves as a highlight of the month-long Deauville Race Carnival . The open nature of this year's contest—stripped of its two strongest contenders—creates unprecedented opportunities for international competitors, particularly Japanese horses seeking to replicate the historic 1998 success when Japan's Tree Express won this race a week after claiming the Yasuda Kinen .