Periodical
JUNE
2025
Frances de Haan
Concert strikes a perfect chord!
2yo Action on the track
Concert heads to the start with Mirai Iwata in the saddle
A glorious golden sunlight bathed Newbury Racecourse on Thursday last week as owners were greeted with a perfect British summer’s evening. You could have been fooled into thinking the calmness was due to the serene atmosphere of the racecourse, but I think this quiet moment was more akin to a musical inhale before a powerful exhale—otherwise known as the ‘calm before the storm’ of Concert’s debut.
I had been on the gallops in Newmarket that very morning, and William had managed our expectations, saying he thought she would run “okay.” But I know he must have had a little confidence in our filly, as he had put Mirai Iwata in the saddle—a Japenese Group 1-winning jockey and the rising star of Japan’s jockey ranks! The prelude to Concert’s debut had seen her put in some pleasing pieces of faster work at home, and William felt this Fillies' Novice Stakes over 6f at Newbury was the ideal place for her to make her start.
As the time drew near, owners began to gather in the pre-parade. It was lovely to see some familiar faces—and some new ones. Tension mounted as Concert stepped onto the stage. She looked a picture in the preliminaries, a standout in the parade ring with her iconic grey coat and dark mane. There was only one moment she got a little fractious—when she was being saddled (apparently, she stood on Maureen Haggas’ foot in the process!).
In the parade ring, we were greeted by Mirai Iwata and his translator, as he spoke no English. William had reassured us at the Jockey Club Rooms the night before that it didn’t matter Mirai didn’t speak English, as Henry Cecil once said, “It is a waste of time giving jockeys race instructions, as the good jockeys (like Mirai) don’t need telling and the bad ones don’t listen anyway.” Mirai would be taking the reins and conducting proceedings with Concert—and hopefully, would prove he was the former! It was a great honour to have such a prestigious and well-respected jockey on board, and he certainly instilled a sense of calm and confidence in our owners as he mounted Concert, who proceeded to go to post nice and quietly.
Mirai Iwata
Concert broke smartly from the stalls—so well, in fact, that she looked like she might nearly take up the running in the early stages. Mirai Iwata used his experience and skill to settle her without needing to break stride, just as planned. The pace of the field increased from halfway, and the crescendo began to build. Mirai shook the reins, ensuring Concert kept up to her work. He was so well balanced—it was incredible to see him guide and encourage Concert, who did not have the smoothest of passages. There was some weaving and leaning in behind her stablemate, and it was a true show of class from both jockey and horse that, when Mirai showed her some daylight, she took up the challenge and made headway in eye-catching style down the stands’ rail.
The eventual winner, Lope El Fuego, had flown—but Concert was in no uncertain terms the best of the rest, hitting the line in second. She might not have hit every correct note—understandably showing her greenness in the race—but she unquestionably rose to the occasion and produced a thrilling and hugely encouraging debut, one she will no doubt come on from. There was much celebration and a huge welcome back from the owners to Concert and Mirai as they arrived in the winner’s enclosure. A wonderful evening’s racing, and there is no doubt that Concert is an exciting filly for the future!
Frances de Haan