Japanese superstar Do Deuce has been withdrawn from his intended final start in Sunday’s G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) and has been retired immediately after trainer Yasuo Tomomichi reported an off foreleg injury on Friday afternoon.
A planned retirement ceremony at Nakayama, scheduled for the hours after the Arima Kinen, has also been cancelled.
The news sent shockwaves through the Japanese racing industry, as Do Deuce was set to be sent off as the first odds-on favourite in the world’s most heavily bet race since 2019. He also received the most public votes ever for the all-star race, securing 478,415 of more than five million ballots.
“Today, during his usual canter, we noticed that his gait was slightly off when we tried to take him to the pool,” Tomomichi told Nikkan Sports. “That is all we know at this point. Given the immense value of this horse, we cannot risk any incidents during the race. After discussing the matter with the owner, we have decided to withdraw him from the race.
“To all the fans, we deeply apologise and sincerely regret this outcome. Unfortunately, the retirement ceremony will be cancelled, but after consulting with the owner, we are considering organizing a public appearance at the Sapporo meet this summer.
“I also informed jockey Yutaka Take of this decision over the phone, and he responded, ‘It can’t be helped.’ I then told him that four years from now, I hope to entrust him with one of Do Deuce’s progeny.”
Do Deuce – a son of Heart’s Cry out of American Grade 2 winner Dust And Diamonds – raced in the grey and white colours of Masaaki Matsushima. While the five-year-old could not fulfil his owner’s desire to win the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Take aboard, finishing 19th to Alpinista in 2022, Matsushima hopes that Take can remain in the saddle into his 60s so that he can win an Arc aboard a son or daughter of Do Deuce.
“We have received so much support and joy from fans, but I deeply regret that it has come to such a disappointing outcome,” Matsushima said. “I sincerely apologise for this result. I truly believe Do Deuce gave it his all.
“Starting next year, Do Deuce will move on to a new stage. I remain committed to pursuing the dream of one day seeing Do Deuce’s progeny, ridden by jockey Yutaka Take, raise the Japanese flag at Longchamp.”
Do Deuce was already the fifth horse to win the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn, G1 Japan Cup and G1 Arima Kinen, joining T M Opera O, Zenno Rob Roy, Kitasan Black and Equinox, but was aiming to graduate to an even more exclusive club featuring just T M Opera O and Zenno Rob Roy by winning all three races in the same season.
It is a different injury to that which ruled him out of last year’s Dubai Turf, when he was reported lame in his near foreleg.
Do Deuce retires as the winner of eight of his 17 starts, having won more than 1.77 billion yen (US$11.3 million) across Japan, France and the United Arab Emirates.
He will stand at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido next season, joining a roster that includes six Japanese Horse of the Year winners: Orfevre, Lord Kanaloa, Maurice, Kitasan Black, Efforia and Equinox. That is set to become seven when Do Deuce is crowned 2024 champion next month ∎
