UAE press release...
Darley Japan loses JRA license in management shift
Just four months after acquiring a coveted license to compete on the elite Japan Racing Association circuit, which offers the most lucrative prize money in the world, Darley Japan has lost the privilege, at least for the immediate future.
In an unexpected move, Darley Japan chairman Dr. Riki Takahashi has officially retired from the organization after working for more than 15 years to build up Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s racing and breeding interests in the Asian nation.
When he left Darley on November 27—just two days after Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1) winner Admire Moon scored the landmark first JRA victory for Darley Japan in the Japan Cup (Gr.1)—Takahashi turned back the license to the JRA, according to a Darley official.
Under complex rules and laws in Japan designed to limit investment and ownership by foreigners, Darley Japan had to rely on Takahashi, a Japanese native and former JRA official, to gain the license since he was the Japanese principal in the organization. He also had acquired the about half-dozen farm properties that Darley Japan is using for breeding and raising of its Japanese-bred horses.
Newly appointed Darley Japan spokesperson Hanako Sonobe said this week that the farms will continue operations while the organization reviews options on how to navigate through the tedious licensing procedure in order to gain another chance to race at the JRA level.
In the meantime, Darley Japan will compete on the National Association of Racing circuit, which offers lower purses and prestige. Sonobe, a Japanese woman who is a 2005 graduate of the Darley Flying Start program, said Darley Japan currently has 33 horses in training with several trainers.
Oliver Tait, who oversees Darley Japan and Darley Australia, described the parting with Takahashi as “amicable.”
Takahashi declined substantial comment on his departure but said that Admire Moon had given him a great gift by upsetting the Japan Cup in what would be his final race before beginning a stud career at the stallion complex Takahashi developed for Darley Japan.
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