Admire Zoom and Yuga Kawada dominate Japan's top juvenile race as Ryan Moore finishes ninth

Japan's premier two-year-old race at Kyoto on Sunday was won in emphatic style by Admire Zoom and Yuga Kawada. 

The Asahi Hai Futurity is one of just three Grade 1 two-year-old events held every year and has been won in the past by subsequent stars like Dream Journey and Do Deuce, and Admire Zoom added his name to that roll of honour with an impressive victory.

Admire Zoom was always positioned prominently under Kawada and quickly accelerated past Daishin Ra at the top of the home straight. It soon became clear that few of his rivals would be able to make an impact and he ultimately scored easily by two and a half lengths. 

"I’m glad that the colt was able to finish the season at a good note," Kawada said. "His last race was also very impressive and I knew he had great potential to win this one too. However, he’s not the easiest horse to keep in control, so I was careful to deal with that. 

"He was in good rhythm coming into the last corner, so I was able to bring out his best performance and I knew then we were unbeatable. As I’ve said, he does need to be handled carefully, but he has outstanding ability and potential to have a great future ahead."

Museum Mile, who was slowly away, stayed on best to finish second, while pleasing late headway was also made by Lance Of Chaos into third. 

Arte Voloce, who was sent off the 23-10 favourite under legendary rider Yutaka Take, was one of several disappointments in the race and could only finish fifth. Ryan Moore was ninth aboard Nitamonodoshi. 

Yuga Kawada: dominated the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes aboard Admire Zoom

It was Kawada's fourth success in the race after victories with Danon Premium (2017) and Grenadier Guards (2020) and Jantar Mantar (2023), while Admire Zoom's trainer Yasuo Tomomichi was winning it for the third time after wins with Admire Mars (2018) – who ran in the same blue Junko Kondo silks – and Do Deuce (2021). 

The latter's two victories in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Japan Cup mean he has cast-iron credentials for his nation's Horse of the Year award in January.

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