They wore their hopes on their sleeves.
Japan had three horses running in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday, and from the moment they arrived at Meydan Racecourse they stood as potent reminders of the catastrophe back home.
One of them, Victoire Pisa, delivered some rare good news by winning the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race. The winner edged another Japanese horse, Transcend, at the wire by a half length.
Fans of Victoire Pisa were in tears as the national anthem played. Many of the Japanese teams wore black polo shirts with the word ''hope'' on the sleeve alongside Japan's flag. On the back was the March 11 date of the earthquake and tsunami.
Victorie Pisa's Katsuhiko Sumii, like other trainers, talked of stables left in shambles by the tsunami. At home, as a nation also confronts a nuclear crisis, the final death toll is expected to top 18,000.
''Knowing there are horses and people affected by the tsunami or lost their lives, I knew there may be something I could do to give back with a win or by performing well in this race,'' Sumii said as supporters sipped champagne and watched reruns of the race. ''That is something I strongly feel.
''This victory won't change people's lives, but I do hope that in some way I will give back to the horse riding and horse racing community in Japan.''
Victoire Pisa, a 4-year-old colt ridden by Italian jockey Mirco Demuro, was timed for the 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.94. The victory was the first for a Japanese horse in the Dubai World Cup. The mare Buena Vista, the other Japanese horse, finished eighth.
The Dubai World Cup was the highlight of the eight-race card that featured 110 horses racing for $26.25 million.
Things didn't start well at the outset for Victoire Pisa. He fell off the pace after bumping his head on the starting gate. Instead, Transcend - least known of the Japanese trio - stormed out and held the lead for much of the race, with Irish Derby winner Cape Blanco and long-shot Monterosso coming on. In the home stretch, Victoire Pisa went wide and broke from the pack to just beat Transcend. Monterosso was third.
''I was just watching at the back straight and saw the other Japanese one was in front and then Buena Vista was close to me,'' Demuro said. ''We were lucky. In the back straight, there was a slow pace so I could move from outside and come to the lead.''
Demuro's success has come mostly in Japan with victories in the Japan Derby and Japan Cup. He called this his biggest win and hoped it would raise his profile.
''I can explain to the people I am a good jockey. I always try to do my best,'' he said. ''But when you stay in Italy, it's not easy to go around in the world.''
Twice Over of England was the favorite at 3-1, followed by Cape Blanco at 7-2 and Poet's Voice at 9-1, with Victoire Pisa next at 10-1. Cape Blanco finished fourth, followed by three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti from the United States.
Twice Over, trained by Henry Cecil, had another disappointing race, finishing ninth a year after coming in 10th. Poet's Voice was last.
In earlier races, Godolphin stables, owned by Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, showed again why it's a force.
Three of his horses won, with Rewilding routing the field in the $5 million Sheema Classic. The horse ridden by Lanfranco Dettori rallied past Rulership of Japan and then outran the field with 250 yards to go to beat the Saudi-owned Redwood by 3 1/4 lengths.
A second victory came in the $2 million UAE Derby in which Khawlah edged Master of Hounds. The third win was by Skysurfers in the $1 million Godolphin Mile.
In the other Group 1 races, Presvis came from the back of the pack to win the $5 million Dubai Duty Free, edging River Jetez and Wigmore Hall. Rocket Man stormed to victory in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, a year after being upset by Kinsale King in the same race.
Kinsale King pulled out just before the race because of swelling in his legs and rashes on his face and body.
