The world saw on Saturday why Danon Decile was Japan’s champion 3-year-old male of 2024.
In his first appearance outside of Japan, Danon Decile won the Group 1 Sheema Classic at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, catching deep stretch leader, and 8-5 favorite, Calandagan in the final sixteenth.
Danon Decile, who paid $21.60 in American pools, won the $6 million Sheema Classic by 1 1/4 lengths to give Japanese-based runners a third win on the Dubai World Cup program. Earlier, Admire Daytona won the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby and Soul Rush won the Group 1 Dubai Turf.
Danon Decile, ridden by Keita Tosaki, raced in a stalking position in a field of nine.
Rebel’s Romance, who won the Eclipse Award as the outstanding turf male of 2024 in the United States, took the lead with about a mile remaining and had a comfortable lead in early stretch until he was overtaken by Calandagan.
Calandagan held second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of 20-1 Durezza.
Rebel’s Romance, who won the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar last November, faded to finish fourth as the 8-5 second choice.
Danon Decile earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 1 with Saturday’s win.
Danon Decile was an anxious colt before the race, Tosaki told Meydan publicity.
“He was excited before the race, but he settled when he got into the” starting gate, he said. “He ran a great race, travelled really well on the bridle.
“I expected him to run a similar race to the [Japanese Derby] and he did it.”
Trained by Shogo Yasuda, Danon Decile has won 5 of 9 starts.
Aside from the Japanese Derby last May, Danon Decile was third in the Grade 1 Arima Kinen Stakes at Nakayama Racecourse in December, one of Japan’s top races for older horses.
Danon Decile began his 2025 season with a narrow win in the Grade 2 American Jockey Club Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Nakayama on Jan. 26.
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