Japanese swansong seen as best fit for QEII hero Charyn

Adam Morgan
October 24, 2024 10:38 am

‘We’ve been planning for it and if we’re happy with him, we’d love to have a go’.

Charyn’s well-being will determine whether Roger Varian’s stable star bids to round off his sensational season in Japan’s Mile Championship next month.

Having begun his campaign with a victory on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Doncaster, the son of Dark Angel’s steadfast constitution has seen him add a further four wins and never finish worse than second in seven starts this term.

Having cemented his status as Europe’s leading miler with a third Group One success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, connections have their eye on one further outing before he heads for stallion duties at owner Nurlan Bizakov’s stud in France.

A third Group 1 for Charyn! He is back to winning ways as he takes the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes for @SilvDSousa and @varianstable at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/hEjzUtybAx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2024

The prestigious Mile Championship at Kyoto on November 17 was highlighted as the preferred option for Charyn’s career swansong following his British Champions Day win and plans are being made for a trip to the Far East, provided the colt continues to thrive following his Ascot exertions.

“We’ve been planning for it and if we’re happy with him, we’d love to have a go. If for any reason we’re not happy, he will stay at home,” said Varian.

“The Breeders’ Cup is only 14 days after Ascot and that would be a big ask, while Hong Kong is a bit later in the year. He is retiring this year and by the time Hong Kong comes around, the owner really wants him to be in France at his stud being able to show him to breeders.

Charyn was a winner at Royal Ascot in the summer (David Davies/PA)

“If we are to have another go, then Japan fits from a timeline point of view and it’s a prestigious and valuable race. It’s been in all of our thoughts to take a good horse to Japan and have a go, but it has to be right and as I said straight after the race it’s about the horse’s condition.

“He’s come out of Ascot really well and we will just see how he is in a few weeks. If he was going to the Breeders’ Cup, he would have had to travel this weekend which would be a big ask.”