Double Heart Bond Claims Champions Cup, Jockey Ryusei Sakai and Dirt Queen Make History

In the G1 horse race 'Champions Cup,' held on December 7th, the second-favorite Double Heart Bond (4-year-old mare, by sire Kizuna) achieved a spectacular victory, solidifying her reputation as the new queen of the dirt racing world.

Partnered with jockey Ryusei Sakai, Double Heart Bond prevailed in a fiery and fierce battle, overcoming strong contenders such as Wilson Tesoro (2nd place) and Ramjet (3rd place) to claim the championship. According to a Net Keiba breaking news report, it was stated: 'A fiery, fierce battle won — 4-year-old mare Double Heart Bond, by sire Kizuna, claims victory!'

This victory marked Double Heart Bond's first G1 title and a historic achievement as the first mare in 10 years to win the Champions Cup. Furthermore, jockey Ryusei Sakai, in the saddle, accomplished an astounding three consecutive wins in this race. The 'man-and-horse-as-one' performance was hailed by many racing fans as 'the birth of a new-era partnership with the dirt queen.'

After the race, numerous comments flooded social media platforms, such as 'Double Heart Bond-chan is super cute, isn't she?' and 'Cute face, cute heart,' indicating her adorable appearance is also a reason for her popularity. Information that Jockey Sakai affectionately calls her 'Dabu-chan,' along with footage from JRA's official jockey camera showing enthusiastic cheers from 'Ryusei Girls,' clearly demonstrated the popularity of both horse and rider.

While fans who successfully bet on the race expressed joy, there were also comments from those who missed out, adhering to conventional wisdom like 'fillies don't win' or 'horses that win on a wet track record don't perform well on a dry track,' revealing their surprise at her strength. Furthermore, an analysis of the race's split times indicated a toughness comparable to last year's winner, Lemon Pop. Calls for the success of her full brother, Enduro, were also heard, heightening interest in her bloodline.

All eyes are now fixed on Double Heart Bond and jockey Ryusei Sakai, eager to see what kind of history this partnership will carve out in the future of dirt horse racing.

The context

The Champions Cup is one of Japan's most prestigious Grade 1 (G1) horse races, specifically for dirt specialists. G1 races represent the highest level of competition in Japanese horse racing, attracting top-tier horses and jockeys. This victory by Double Heart Bond is particularly significant because mares rarely win the Champions Cup, making her the first in a decade. Her sire, Kizuna, is a highly regarded Japanese thoroughbred, a former Japanese Derby winner, which adds to the quality of her bloodline. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) is the official organization overseeing horse racing in Japan. Jockey Ryusei Sakai's achievement of winning this tough G1 race three years in a row is an exceptional feat, highlighting his skill and consistency. The affectionate nickname 'Dabu-chan' and the 'Ryusei Girls' fan group illustrate the strong public connection and personal popularity that top horses and jockeys can achieve in Japan.