by Mike Curry

Company delivered a career-best performance on Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse to thwart reigning Horse of the Year Vodka in her attempt at a repeat victory in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (Jpn-G1).

An eight-year-old Miracle Admire horse, Company entered off a one-length win over Vodka in the Mainichi Okan (Jpn-G2) on October 11 at Tokyo and he proved that triumph was no fluke by securing his first win at the highest level in the Tenno Sho.

Norihiro Yokoyama rated Company in ninth in the 18-horse field while 2.10-to-1 favorite Vodka was reserved near the back of the field. Eishin Deputy set the tempo with 2008 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) victor Screen Hero stalking from third.

Screen Hero took over at the top of the stretch but his lead was short-lived as Company unleashed an explosive finishing bid to gain the advantage with about 200 meters left in the 2,000-meter (9.94-furlong) race. He surged clear with a powerful rush to win by 1 3/4 lengths and equal the stakes record of 1:57.20 set by Vodka during last year’s edition.

Screen Hero held off Vodka by a neck for second. Vodka was attempting to become only the second horse to win consecutive editions of the Tenno Sho (Autumn), a feat accomplished by two-time Horse of the Year Symboli Kris S in 2002 and ’03.

Trained by Hidetaka Otonashi for owner-breeder Hideko Kondo, Company made his fourth start in the Tenno Sho after coming tantalizingly close in the previous two editions. He finished fourth last year, beaten by a neck by Vodka in a blanket finish, and third in 2007 after finishing last in ’06.

Out of the multiple stakes-producing Northern Taste mare Brilliant Very, Company improved to 11 wins in 34 career starts.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor