Gold Ship wins Arima Kinen

Gold Ship wins Arima Kinen

FUNABASHI, Japan - Gold Ship (R), ridden by Hiroyuki Uchida, gallops to victory in the 57th Arima Kinen, the final Grade 1 race of the year in Japanese horse racing, at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture on Dec. 23, 2012. First pick Gold Ship, a 3-year-old, crossed the line in 2 minutes, 31.9 seconds over the 2,500 meters, capturing his third Grade 1 title. To the left is second favorite Rulership, who finished third.

Orfevre wins Takarazuka Kinen

Orfevre wins Takarazuka Kinen

TAKARAZUKA, Japan - Orfevre (front) gallops to victory in the 53rd Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, on June 24, 2012. Orfevre went off as the favorite and ran home the winner in a time of 2 minutes, 10.9 seconds over the 2,200 meters for his fifth G1 title. Second choice Rulership is seen in the back.

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - Japanese 5-year-old Rulership is pictured with jockey Umberto Rispoli riding on him after storming to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 29, 2012, holding off Thumbs Up by almost four lengths.

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - Japanese 5-year-old Rulership trots with jockey Umberto Rispoli riding on him after storming to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 29, 2012, holding off Thumbs Up by almost four lengths.

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - Japanese 5-year-old Rulership trots with jockey Umberto Rispoli riding on him after storming to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 29, 2012, holding off Thumbs Up by almost four lengths. (Kyodo)

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

Japan's Rulership dominates QEII Cup in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, China - Japanese 5-year-old Rulership is pictured with jockey Umberto Rispoli riding on him after storming to victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on April 29, 2012, holding off Thumbs Up by almost four lengths. (Kyodo)