Derma Louvre trained by Japan’s top conditioner Hirofumi Toda is being targeted at the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby. The celebrated son of Pyro will likely ship to the United States if all goes well after a final prep in the Gr.2 UAE Derby.
Bred by Bando Bokujo, Derma Louvre is out of the Commands mare Caribbean Romance.
Ten Furlongs interviews Hirofumi Toda ahead of Derma Louvre’s run in US$2.5 million UAE Derby on the Dubai World Cup card:
Q: What will win on Dubai World Cup night mean to you?
A: I have never had the chance to join a race in Dubai so far. That is why being able to join the race itself is really meaningful to me. I am sure that this experience will bring a new experience to me. I would like to have my horses run in the primary races in the world from now on.
Q: Is this the first time you will be racing at Meydan? When will Derma Louvre arrive in Dubai and when will you be coming to Dubai as well?
A: Yes, this will be my first time to run my horse at Meydan. He will leave Japan on Mar. 20 and arrive at Dubai on the same day. Also, I am scheduled to arrive in Dubai on Mar. 25.
Q: Are there any plans for Derma Louvre after the Dubai World Cup?
A: Of course, it varies depending on his condition after the race, but the American Triple Crown could be on the agenda.
(Derma Louvre could punch his ticket to the Run for the Roses with The UAE Derby which is one of seven races offering 100-40-20-10 points in the main Road to the Kentucky Derby series.)
Q: Please tell us more about the values you feel define your passion and how do you see them working for you in real life?
A: I am not sure this will be your answer. I had been told by my mentor (ex-trainer), “Yokichi Okubo” that you had to aim for the champion in the horse racing world, which have been motivating me to keep at my job in this world.
Q: Who is your racing leadership hero?
A: I think it is JRA jockey, Yutaka Take. In Japan, people who are not familiar with horse racing still know him well. It is mainly because his achievements in this society are great (He established a great record of 4,000 winnings last year). However, in addition to that, it is his sincerity that makes him attractive.
Q: How did you get involved with horses? When did you decide to become a trainer? What was the first leadership lesson you learnt in racing?
A: I started riding a horse from a young age. I belonged to an equestrian club at the university and took part in some equestrian competitions. After graduating from the university, I joined the JRA affiliated company. At that time, my senior advised me about being a trainer.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
A: I would have to say two JRA ex-trainers, one is Mr. Yokichi Okubo and the other is Mr. Hiroyoshi Matsuda. When I joined the horseracing society, I learned lots of things from them, such as the attitude towards the horse, training methods and so on.
Q: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the industry and how would you solve it?
A: In the beginning, this is not the problem of what I can solve directly.
I hope the horseracing in Japan will be the one where more and more talented jockeys can participate. It could motivate Japanese young jockeys and lead to improvement in their techniques. I would like JRA to deregulate the rule for the short term period jockey license.
Q: Who is your favourite racehorse of all time and why?
A: It is “Buena Vista.”(Birth of date: Mar. 14, 2006, Sire: Special Week (JPN) Dam: Biwa Heidi (JPN)) She had been trained, Mr. Hiroyoshi Matsuda. I was astonished at her performance when she made a debut at Kyoto Racecourse on Oct. 26, 2008, although she lost the race. After that, she became a great horse and won 6 group1 races in Japan.
Q: What would you like to achieve in the next five years?
A: I definitely want to grab the Japanese Derby title. Also, winning in the primary races in the world is my goal.
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com