The 56th Yomiuri Milers Cup, a prestigious G2 race, unfolded on April 27, 2025, at Kyoto Racecourse, showcasing the talents of ten older horses over a distance of 1600 meters on good turf. The race, which is part of the annual horse racing calendar, saw a thrilling contest that culminated in a remarkable victory for Long Run, a 7-year-old gelding trained by Yuuya Wada and ridden by the skilled jockey Yuto Iwata.
Long Run, who started as the fifth favorite, executed a masterful performance, surging from the inside on the homestretch to clinch victory with a time of 1 minute 31.7 seconds. This win marks his second consecutive graded stakes victory, following his triumph in the Kokura Daishoten earlier this season. Iwata’s expert guidance was crucial, as he navigated Long Run through the field, allowing the horse to showcase his impressive speed and stamina.
After the race, Iwata expressed his satisfaction, stating, “The good track conditions contributed to this horse’s sharpness. I felt great during the paddock and warm-up, and I want to thank the team. Winning another graded race this year gives me a sense of reassurance. At 7 years old, I believe he is at his peak. I hope he can challenge on a bigger stage next.”
Trainer Yuuya Wada echoed Iwata’s sentiments, noting that he had chosen to race Long Run at the 1600-meter distance based on the horse’s ability to handle the course effectively. Wada remarked, “I thought he would adapt to this distance well. In longer races, he tends to slow down towards the end, so I wanted to see how he would perform at this distance. Now that he has won a G2, I believe he can move on to the next step.”
Finishing in second place was Jun Blossom, the race’s top favorite, ridden by the renowned jockey Yutaka Take. Jun Blossom, a 6-year-old mare trained by Tomomichi, was unable to catch Long Run, finishing just half a length behind. Take shared his thoughts on the race, acknowledging the competitive nature of the event, “We tried our best, but it wasn’t enough today.”
The third spot went to Ceo, a 5-year-old horse trained by Uemura and ridden by Mirai Iwata, who crossed the finish line a further 1.5 lengths behind Jun Blossom. Ceo had shown promise leading up to the race, but ultimately could not maintain the pace necessary to challenge for the win.
Long Run’s victory is particularly notable as it marks a significant return to form after a series of near-misses in previous races. Since breaking into open company with a win at the Rainbow Stakes in September 2022, Long Run had been striving for consistency. After finally securing his first graded stakes win at the December Stakes in 2023, this latest victory solidifies his status as a formidable competitor in the mile division.
As the racing community reflects on this year’s Milers Cup, attention will undoubtedly turn to the future races that lie ahead for Long Run. His trainer and connections are eager to explore new challenges, potentially setting their sights on larger events that could further showcase the gelding’s talents.
In the lead-up to the race, several trainers expressed optimism about their horses’ chances. Oohashi, trainer of Nihon Pillow Kief, noted the horse’s strong performance history at Kyoto and indicated confidence in his condition leading into the race. “The overall clock was not bad, and I believe there’s a good chance for a strong performance,” he stated.
Uemura, trainer of Ceo, also expressed hope for a good showing, stating, “The horse’s condition is good and I expect him to be positioned well in the race.” Meanwhile, Tomomichi, trainer of Jun Blossom, highlighted the importance of track conditions, saying, “A good track is crucial for achieving results, and I’m pleased with how the horse has been training.”
As the dust settles on the 56th Yomiuri Milers Cup, the excitement of the race lingers, with fans and trainers alike eager to see how the results will impact the remainder of the racing season. Long Run’s impressive performance not only adds another victory to his record but also sets the stage for future competitions where he can continue to prove his mettle.
With the racing calendar continuing to unfold, all eyes will be on Long Run as he prepares for his next challenge, with high hopes riding on his continued success in the sport.
