Shin Emperor ruled Out of Arc de Triomphe Following Injury
Paris,France – September 17,2024 – A notable blow to Japanese hopes in the upcoming Qatar prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been dealt as Shin Emperor has been officially ruled out of the Longchamp showpiece on October 6th. Trainer Yoshito Saito confirmed the decision following an evaluation revealing an issue with the colt’s left foreleg.
The withdrawal of Shin Emperor represents a major setback for connections and diminishes the international contingent vying for Europe’s most prestigious race. The four-year-old, a son of Equinox, had been steadily gaining attention as a leading contender, having secured victory in the Tenno Sho (autumn) at Tokyo Racecourse on October 29, 2023, and finishing third in the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 30, 2024. His absence alters the Arc landscape, impacting betting odds and strategic considerations for remaining contenders.
Shin Emperor’s injury was discovered during routine training at Chantilly Racecourse, where he had been acclimatizing to European conditions. While the exact nature of the injury has not been fully disclosed, Saito indicated it prevents the horse from reaching the necesary level of fitness for the demanding 2,400-meter (approximately 1.5-mile) Arc.
“We are very disappointed with this news,” Saito stated. “shin Emperor was progressing well, but sadly, this injury means he will be unable to compete. The horse’s well-being is our priority, and we will focus on his recovery.”
The Arc de Triomphe,held annually at ParisLongchamp,attracts the world’s top middle-distance horses and carries a purse of €5 million. Japan has been increasingly successful in the race in recent years, with horses like Deep Impact (2006) and kitasan Black (2017) achieving notable performances. Shin Emperor’s withdrawal leaves Equinox’s younger brother, Symboli Krishna, as Japan’s remaining representative in the race.
