When Omega Boy stormed to victory in the Group 2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy at Racing Tauranga’s Bayleys International Raceday earlier this season, it delivered more than just a feature-race success for trainer Peter Didham. The win also secured Didham and his wife Trish an unforgettable trip to Japan, an initiative introduced by Racing Tauranga in partnership with the Japan Racing Association to give Kiwi trainers a firsthand look at one of the world’s premier racing jurisdictions.
The Club has been sending representatives to Japan for the corresponding race for more than four decades, with Japanese counterparts travelling to Tauranga throughout the 55-year history of the Japan Trophy. For many years, however, the depth and value of that relationship remained largely behind the scenes at Board (and previously committee) level.
Racing Tauranga Chairman Michael Bayly, who travelled to Japan this year with partner Rosie Blockley, says the Club has been working to change that.
“Historically, these exchanges were hugely valuable for the Club, but the benefits of those relationships weren’t always shared beyond our own walls,” Bayly said.
“When I was Deputy Chair, I saw an opportunity to broaden that reach and, in doing so, strengthen the race itself.”
A key objective of the trainers’ incentive has been to attract higher-calibre horses to the Japan Trophy, ensuring it retains its Group 2 status.
That’s not only important for the Club and the wider industry, but also for maintaining alignment with its Japanese counterpart, the Group 2 New Zealand Trophy run at Nakayama.
The initiative has continued to evolve in recent years, with increased support for winning connections. In its first year, the Club funded both flights and accommodation for the winning trainer. Since then, Air New Zealand has come on board to sponsor the flights, a partnership that has further elevated the experience.
Now back home after three whirlwind days in Japan, Didham has returned with fresh perspective and an even greater appreciation for what New Zealand racing achieves on the world stage.
“It was a fantastic trip,” Didham reflected. “We were only there for three days and we crammed a lot into it, but we really enjoyed it.”
What struck him most was the sheer scale of Japanese racing and the extraordinary investment behind it. From state-of-the-art training centres to immaculate raceday presentation, the contrast to New Zealand was impossible to ignore.
“There’s so many people and so much money spent on infrastructure,” he said. “They’ve just spent $600 million on a new vet clinic. It’s just a different level of investment.”
Among the highlights for Didham was touring the training facilities, an area of particular interest given his background as both a trainer and former track manager. The efficiency and design of the complexes left a lasting impression.
“They’ve got one tunnel that leads out to a dirt track, a poly track, a woodchip track and more,” he explained. “You just head up that path whenever you want.”
The trip was made even more memorable by the company, with Didham and his wife travelling alongside Racing Tauranga Chairman Michael Bayly and partner Rosie Blockley, as well as Board member Steve Freeman and his wife Phyllis Huitema. Top expat Kiwi jockey Michael Dee, who was in Japan at the same time, also helped guide them through parts of the experience.
Beyond the facilities, Didham was fascinated by the passion Japanese racing fans have for the sport and its participants.
“They acknowledge the winners, owners, trainers and jockeys in a very serious and respectful way,” he said. “People line the fence for autographs. The Japanese people are very loyal to their favourites and very interested in their success.”
Despite the obvious differences between the two countries, the trip reinforced Didham’s belief that New Zealand racing continues to punch well above its weight internationally.
“We’ve got amazing horse people in New Zealand who are very talented,” he said. “If you look at Group races all over the world, you’ll see the Kiwi influence. It’s not just about money, it’s about expertise and passion, and I think we’ve got plenty of that.”
For Didham, initiatives like the Japan Trophy provide far more than just a travel opportunity. He believes exposing trainers to different racing environments can only strengthen the local industry.
“The concept is amazing,” he said. “If New Zealand trainers can go overseas, see how things work and bring ideas back home, that’s fantastic. The Japan trip was amazing for that reason alone.”
Outside of racing, Japan itself also left a strong impression, particularly the warmth and hospitality of the people.
“The people were so nice. They just show so much respect,” Didham said. “And travelling with such great company from Racing Tauranga made it even better. It felt like six friends who’d known each other forever.”
Now firmly back in work mode, Didham and his stable are already setting their sights on the next challenge. After a season that has produced two Group 2 winners, 15 victories overall and several successful horse sales, they’ve been ticking off the targets. Looking ahead to next season there’s one big goal on the list.
“The next target is to get that Group 1,” he said.
And with Omega Boy likely to be aimed at the Japan Trophy once again next season, there may yet be another trip to Japan on the horizon for the Didham stable with son and co-trainer Trent, gunning for his own overseas racing experience!