Leading British miler Charyn 'emerges with great credit' with honourable fifth on final start in Japan Grade 1

A strong drive to the line was able to secure triple Group 1 winner Charyn only fifth place on the final start of his career in the Grade 1 Mile Championship at Kyoto, Japan.

The four-year-old was aiming to end his year on a high after wins in the Queen Anne Stakes, Prix Jacques le Marois and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but was beaten by last year's runner-up Soul Rush, who was achieving his top-level breakthrough. 

Roger Varian's stable star suffered a slow start under Ryan Moore and travelled towards the rear for much of the £1.9 million contest, closely behind the eventual winner. 

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The 17-horse field spread out across the track entering the home straight and Charyn made up ground on the outside, but Soul Rush had already hit the front on the run to the final furlong and won by a comfortable two and a half lengths from Elton Barows. 

Charyn, who made up the most ground from the rear, was less than a length off second as the placed horses finished in a tight bunch behind the runaway winner. 

Varian said: "Charyn has run a great race considering he was slow into stride and was sharing last coming out of the back straight. He’s had to pass 16 horses from that point and, although he finished fifth in the end, he was all but second and it was all credit to him he finished as close as he did.

"It’s not a long straight and he got kicked out wide entering it. It’s a shame he didn’t finish on the podium, but he emerged from the race with great credit and at the very least was second best."

Charyn (right) stays on into fifth in a bunch finish for the placingsCredit: Masakazu Takahashi

Charyn was out to record his fourth victory at the highest level on his first trip outside Europe but Varian was still upbeat about his effort. "We were very proud of his performance and, although it wasn’t the result we wanted, we felt it was the performance of a very good horse who has kept his form all year," he said. 

"On very fast ground and a very fast pace, which was different to what he has experienced in Europe all season, he has come out of the race with great credit, albeit without the finishing position that his performance deserved.

"He’s been a champion for us all year and today’s performance has not diminished what he has achieved, and anyone watching the race could see how well he ran, all things considered. He now goes to stud with his head held high."

Varian, whose Japanese wife Hanako joined him on the trip, was having his second runner in the country. He said: "We could well come back here another year with a different horse. It’s been a fun trip and we’ve been very well welcomed. It didn’t come off this time but that’s not going to stop us trying again."

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