Smashing Career-Finale Victory by Orfevre in This Year's Arima Kinen

Overwhelming race favorite Orfevre offered his "last hurrah", dominating the biggest event of the year and his second Arima Kinen title following his 2011 triumph, and marked his sixth G1 career win emphatically by eight lengths, which is the second longest margin in Arima Kinen history next to Symboli Kris S (USA, by Kris S.)'s nine-length victory in 2003. He also became second in career earnings with a total of 1,576,213,000 yen after T. M. Opera O (JPN, by Opera House). After kicking off the season with a win in the Sankei Osaka Hai in March, he was withdrawn from the Takarazuka Kinen in June due to an exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Undergoing the same schedule as last season, he was sent off to France and after capturing the Prix Foy, he challenged the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as first choice, however succumbed to the runner-up position once again. The decision of skipping the Japan Cup to concentrate on the Arima Kinen produced a dramatic and emotional last run, and the former Horse of the Year will start his new career at the Shadai Stallion Station next spring. After the last race, Orfevre's retirement ceremony was held and over 60,000 race-goers stayed on in the chilly evening to pay tribute to the outstanding chestnut who captivated and gave hope to a disaster-struck nation two years ago by his amazing triumph of the Triple Crown.

For trainer Yasutoshi Ikee, this is his tenth JRA G1 win and third Arima Kinen victory after marking it with Orfevre in 2011, and in 2009 with Dream Journey (JPN, by Stay Gold), full brother to Orfevre. Jockey Kenichi Ikezoe also celebrates his third Arima Kinen triumph and 20th JRA G1 win. "I tried to focus on how to settle the horse and to keep him in good rhythm instead of where to position him or anything about the other horses. He was a bit keen to go but I kept him reserved behind Gold Ship hoping he would stay settled. It might have been a bit earlier to make our bid than usual, but he responded so well, I was confident making the last turn that no one would ever be able to catch him. He is definitely the strongest horse in the world", commented Ikezoe.

The race unfolded on the backstretch with Ikezoe holding a keen Orfevre right behind rival Gold Ship fourth from last in the field while the pace was set by Lelouch and pressed by Curren Mirotic, Danon Ballade and Nakayama Knight. After cruising down the backstretch, the field began to make their moves with three furlongs to go, let alone Orfevre who made headway on the outside easily taking the front 300 meters out and romped to an uncontested and convincing triumph in front of a crowd of more than 124,000.

Fourth pick Win Variation took a ground-saving trip in mid-division and sat on the rails beside Gold Ship at one point down the backstretch. As Orfevre made his move, Win Variation chased the victor rounding the final turns desperately clinging on to his heels, and although never imposing a threat thereafter, he unleashed an impressive drive for second.

Sent off second favorite and with jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle for the first time, Gold Ship was reserved towards the rear of mid-pack and in front of Orfevre up to the third corner. As the winner made his move and swooped past him before the final turn, Moore struggled to keep his mount in contention, however proved no match for the winner and furthermore was unable to catch the runner-up after encountering brief traffic in upper straight to finish 1-1/2 length third.

Other Horses:
4th: (11) Love Is Boo Shet-ran near rear most of journey, responded well after turning wide
5th: (7) Tamamo Best Play-traveled in mid-pack, showed effort over clear path
6th: (3) Curren Mirotic-chased leader, led at 3rd corner, held on but weakened in last 100m
7th: (5) Desperado-hugged rail toward rear, unable to find clear path on inner stretch, quickened in last 200m
8th: (13) To the Glory-rated back in mid-division, met traffic before making bid
9th: (12) T M Inazuma-trailed in rear after breaking slowly, showed belated charge
10th: (2) Verde Green-reserved toward rear, turned wide but lacked needed kick
11th: (10) Admire Rakti-settled front of mid-pack, made bid after 3rd corner but found little space at final turn
12th: (8) Lovely Day-around 4th, failed to respond and fell back
13th: (15) Nakayama Knight-raced wide in striking position, unable to sustain bid at straight
14th: (16) Tosen Jordan-4-wide in mid-division, bumped at final corner and faded
15th: (1) Danon Ballade-stalked in 3rd, nothing left at stretch
16th: (9) Lelouch-set pace, dropped back after 3rd corner