German-based jockey Rene Piechulek, who is on a short-term license to ride in Japan, visited the Ritto Training Center for the first time on this trip. He rode several lots including Byzantine Dream who will run in the G3 Kisaragi Sho, for which Piechulek is booked to ride.

He commented: "It is a bit smaller than Miho Training Center but I like it here very much. All facilities in Japan have everything and are very clean." On Byzantine Dream, he added, "He is a great horse. It will be my first time riding at Kyoto Racecourse but I got some tips from Christophe Lemaire and feel ready."