Much more than the phrases that adopted, the smile that by no means subsided throughout a 30-minute go to to a Tokyo Racecourse viewing stand to observe his horse, Goliath, undergo some gentle coaching the morning of Nov. 21 informed the story for proprietor John Stewart: He’s very near the place he needs to be.
That figurative place Stewart needs to achieve is the winner’s circle of the world’s nice races. It’s coveted floor for positive however prior to now yr, Stewart’s Resolute Racing has made an enormous funding towards that finish. And within the case of the Japan Cup Nov. 24 at Tokyo Racecourse, a victory would carry some additional that means for Stewart, who started his skilled profession at Toyota.
“It’s arduous to imagine I’ve solely been in horse racing for a yr and have already participated in among the nice races all around the globe, from the Golden Slipper in Australia to the Kentucky Derby and Royal Ascot,” Stewart mentioned. “Japan Cup is unquestionably a race that’s fascinating to me. I’ve a background with Japan. I labored for Toyota for 18 years. I understand how a lot the Japanese individuals love the very best of all the pieces, and that’s one thing that I really feel very strongly about.
“I believe the very best horses have to be touring all around the globe and racing in opposition to one another. I believe that’s what the game needs and what the game wants. And so, I’m actually excited to be right here with Goliath, and I believe he’s going to have a dominant efficiency this weekend, and I’m excited to share that with all of the racing followers right here in Japan.”
Stewart credit Toyota with setting him on a profitable profession path. He began as a flooring employee at its Georgetown, Ky., manufacturing plant and labored his method as much as a administration place. Whereas he has since gone on to launch MiddleGround Capital, a non-public fairness agency that invests in industrial companies, he was formed by co-workers from Japan.
He has maintained a terrific relationship together with his Japanese sensei from his Toyota days. That trainer, Hideshi Yokoi, spent 40 years in govt roles with Toyota in the US and Japan. Yokoi’s son, Yuji, is a vp at MiddleGround Capital.
“He taught me all the pieces about enterprise and operations, and his son works for me at present. I’m doing the identical factor together with his son that he did for me,” Stewart mentioned. “We’ve remained actually shut. And I’ve a great deal of pals right here in Japan. I’m making an attempt to satisfy up with them whereas I’m right here nevertheless it’s a reasonably busy agenda.
“I might not be the place I’m professionally if it wasn’t for Toyota. Toyota is the corporate that educated me. I began there once I was 19 years outdated. I didn’t have a university diploma. And I received my undergraduate diploma whereas I used to be working there. I received promoted by the group, ended up working their European manufacturing.
“You’ve received to respect an organization that makes that type of funding everywhere in the world after which gives a chance. So, I’ve nothing however respect for Japan and the Japanese individuals.”
Whereas Stewart is a Lexington resident who introduced his arrival as a significant business participant with a shopping for spree within the fall of 2023 at Fasig-Tipton’s The November Sale and the Keeneland November breeding inventory sale, his ambitions in racing go properly past the borders of Kentucky and the U.S.
“I’ve been a fan of horse racing for over 30 years, and I believe most horse racing followers wish to see the very best — the very best horses in the very best races,” Stewart mentioned. “I like having the ability to play a component in that. This is only one cease on the worldwide journey that we intend. I believe Goliath is the kind of horse that everybody deserves to see, and in order that’s why we wish to attempt to make him out there in these contests everywhere in the world. Japan’s the primary cease and we’re very excited.”
Stewart bought in the summertime a majority curiosity in Goliath following the German-bred gelding’s 2 1/4-length victory within the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes July 27 at Ascot. Baron Philip Von Ullmann, the breeder and former proprietor of the 4-year-old son of Adlerflug, stayed in as a minority proprietor.
That outing impressed Stewart, an evaluation that proved sharp as members of the vanquished discipline that day included eventual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking in second. The 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, Auguste Rodin, completed fifth within the 1 1/2-mile Ascot check and can be entered within the Japan Cup.
Saved within the succesful palms of coach Francis Henri Graffard after the sale, Goliath adopted with a victory within the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris Oct. 20 at Longchamp. The two,200-meter (about 1 3/8-mile) race served as a prep for Sunday’s turf check on the 2,400-meter (1 1/2-mile) distance.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf was thought of for Goliath, however Stewart mentioned there was concern that the course at Del Mar featured turns which might be too tight for his or her massive horse. The Japan Cup turned the goal with plans to race once more in two weeks within the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase.
Whereas that plan is in place, on Thursday Graffard, jockey Christophe Soumillon, and Stewart every famous that the entire focus is on Sunday. A victory can be candy for Stewart.
“I imply, it’s superior. I spent plenty of time in Japan, however I by no means received to go racing right here,” Stewart mentioned. “I believe it’s a terrific atmosphere. I believe it’s a terrific occasion to be concerned in.”