MURPHY THE YEN MASTER

DEIRDRE is no longer just ‘big in Japan’ after she became the first from her country to win at Glorious Goodwood when capturing the Nassau Stakes.

Partnered by Oisin Murphy, the five-year-old became only the second Japanese horse to score in England, following Agnes World, winner of the 2000 July Cup at Newmarket.

Victory looked in the bag for John Gosden’s Mehdaayih and Frankie Dettori, but the pair were reeled in by the late dash from Murphy and Deirdre, a 20-1 chance,

The dual

Classic winner Hermosa, the

13-8 favourite, the 13 runners.

Victory clearly meant a lot to Murphy, who partnered 25 winners during a 10-week stint in Japan over the winter. “I’m glad the Japanese have brought a horse here that has performed,” he said.

“This is a huge result for them. I looked at her price, but I was convinced she had was last of a super chance. To do against a decent field amazing.”

Seiko Hashida Yoshimura, the daughter and racing manager of the winning trainer Mitsuru Hashida, said: “This is very important for the whole of Japan. “We’ve been in Britain for three months with Deirdre and we are so pleased that we kept believing in her.” Gosden, as ever so gracious in defeat, said: “I think to bring Deirdre over it is here from Japan and win a Group One like this, at such a great Festival, it’s fantastic for international and Japanese racing.

“If we were going to be beaten, I’m delighted to be beaten by the Japanese.”

Then, referring to the charity race in which teenager Khadijah Mellah became the first Muslim rider to race in a hijab and win in Britain on Haverland, when lifting the Magnolia Cup, he added: “We’ve had two fabulous results today. It’s wonderful for racing and wonderful for the country.”