Japan Horse Racing Tips-Umanity.jp

The big action moves from Nakayama to Kyoto Racecourse, with the spotlight on the 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 1 Shuka Sho this Sunday. A 2,000-meter turf event, the Shuka Sho wraps up the three races that comprise Japan’s Triple Crown for fillies.

This year marks the Shuka Sho’s 29th running with the race boasting a purse of nearly JPY239 million and carrying a first-place prize of JPY110 million. Seventeen 3-year-olds have been nominated for the 18 berths of the big event. All runners will carry 55kg.

Unlike the last two years, when a Shuka Sho victory held the key to the filly’s Triple Crown, the first two filly Classics were split this year. The Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) laurels went to Stellenbosch, and Cervinia claimed the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks). The pair, both returning from five-month layoffs.

The Shuka Sho is held over Kyoto’s 2,000-meter inner A course. The race starts on an upward slope before the grandstand and from the backstretch the track is relatively flat. The field picks up speed as the track dips around the bend. Into the straight, it only rises gently, making for a far less grueling test than many of the other venues.

Post time is 15:40 local time for the Shuka Sho, Kyoto’s 11th race on a card of 12.

Here’s a look at the expected popular picks:

Stellenbosch: This daughter of Epiphaneia, slight though she is, is a force to be reckoned with. From her six career starts with three of them at top-level, Stellenbosch, fielded by the Miho-based trainer Sakae Kunieda, has never finished further back than second place. She has recorded three wins and three seconds so far, and even more laudable is the fact that the three races she has won have been those where she either broke a bit late or encountered interference under way. This will be her first time at Kyoto, but she is a seasoned traveler, having raced at both Hanshin (twice) and Sapporo. More importantly, she has already been training at Ritto (as she did prior to the Oka Sho) ahead of Sunday’s race. Though Stellenbosch’s three wins have been over distances from 1,600 to 1,800 meters, her second-place finish in the Oaks (an admirable performance even though she’d lost a shoe) indicates the Shuka Sho distance shouldn’t pose a problem. Kunieda says all systems are go. “Last week, she worked hard up the hill course despite the bad going. Mentally, she is calmer, and physically she has filled out. We’ll just have to see how she handles the inner course at Kyoto.”

Cervinia: By Harbinger with a tendency to be a beat or two slow at the break, Cervinia has gotten splendid results in all but one of her five starts thus far, and the one blemish on her record was the Oka Sho. In the race, Cervinia ran strongly after breaking from the far outside gate, but was blocked in the stretch and unable to get a clear run, resulting in her finishing 13th of 18. Not a reflection of her ability, her poor results were due more to the high pace, poor trip, and the fact that she was returning after over five months off. It spotlighted just how gutsy this girl is. The next month, still with only a Grade 3 win to her name, she topped the field of the Oaks. Yu Ota, assistant to trainer Tetsuya Kimura, said, “Just before returning to the training center, she had been feeling a bit off, but once back at (Miho) she’s been improving every day and has handled long fast work for three weeks in a row. Her balance and breathing are good. If she can break well, she’ll travel just fine.

Queen’s Walk: Unlike Stellenbosch and Cervinia, Queen’s Walk heads into the Shuka Sho prepped with a win in the Grade 2 Rose Stakes at Chukyo last month. It was a win that saw her beat Regaleira, a filly that had run fifth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). With only one previous Grade 3 win (the Queen Cup over 1,600 meters at Tokyo), the Rose Stakes win over 2,000 meters is expected to put this filly right back up there in the popularity polls with Cervinia and Stellenbosch. With the rain-affected ground and slow pace of the Rose Stakes, Queen’s Walk wanted to move, but listened to rider Yuga Kawada and waited for the final stage to unleash what she had and win by a length and a half. Eighth in the Oka Sho and fourth in the Oaks, Queen’s Walk has demonstrated she can handle the distance. Though both her graded wins have been over lefthanded tracks, the Kizuna-sired filly has posted a first at Hanshin and debuted at Kyoto with a second-place finish over 1,800 meters. If Queen’s Walk is anything like her half-brother Grenadier Guards, winner of the Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in 2020, she’ll be exhibiting new maturity just about now. Last year, trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida and jockey Yuga Kawada paired up to bring Liberty Island to the Shuka Sho winner’s circle, and this year the pair may prove winning again. “The inner Kyoto course isn’t easy, but I’m expecting her to not only close the gap with the top finishers from the spring but to turn the tables on them,” said assistant trainer Taku Fukunaga.

Bond Girl: Though the Daiwa Major-sired Bond Girl is a highly consistent runner with three seconds and one third in graded competition, fate and bad luck have taken her down a very different path from what was planned. Aimed for the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies as a 2-year-old, the decision was made to withdraw from the race after she got loose after her final fast work. Tied for earnings to get into the Oka Sho, she didn’t win the draw. Also, in the NHK Mile Cup, she was blocked on the inside and unable to gain ground at the crucial point, resulting in her only performance out of the Top 3. Her two starts since have been longer trips and they’ve brought her back into the Top 3 and once again showcased her excellent late speed. She is set to be paired with Yutaka Take, who’s ridden her last four starts and is tied for most Shuka Sho wins (three). Trainer Takahisa Tezuka has captured five of the seven 3-year-old top-level races, but the Shuka Sho still eludes. Bond Girl is riding a wave that’s brought her a second in the Grade 3 Queen Stakes over 1,800 meters at Sapporo and a third in the Grade 2 Shion Stakes over 2,000 meters at Nakayama. With a bit of luck, she may be able to land her first big win, and wrap up the Classics in style after all.

Christmas Parade: A handsome black filly taking after her sire Kitasan Black, Christmas Parade debuted late last year, aced her first two starts before leaping to the Grade 2 level and posted a fourth in the Flora Stakes over 2,000 meters at Tokyo. She landed her most recent race, the Shion Stakes, with a record time of 1 minute, 56.6 seconds, a time matched by runner-up Mi Anhelo. Miho-based, it’ll be Christmas Parade’s first time at Kyoto, but she has already hauled west. The grass should suit and if she can race close to the front, the inner course should too.

Other fillies of interest are:

The Duramente filly Mi Anhelo missed the win by a neck in the Shion Stakes, but her time matched the winner’s record. A very agile filly, she should have no trouble executing the Kyoto inner course. Mi Anhelo has filled out from the spring and looks to have every chance.
Koganeno Sora, a Gold Ship filly with four wins from eight starts and two more finishes in the Top 3, has raced primarily over 1,800 meters. She shone at Sapporo at the end of July with a win in the Queen Stakes, and though she did enjoy a much lighter allowance (51kg), she performed well against the older fillies and mares. This time, the distance should suit her more than 2,400 meters she ran in the Oaks, where she finished in 12th place. It will be her first time to travel to western Japan, but with good results in Sapporo and Niigata, the trip alone shouldn’t pose a problem.
Sekitoba East, fielded by former jockey Hirofumi Shii, has only missed the board once in her eight starts. Seventh in the Oka Sho, she’s prepped with a fine showing in the Grade 2 Rose Stakes at Chukyo, her first time over 2,000 meters. She took the lead and held it doggedly until about 80 meters out, and was passed only by two. The move to the Kyoto inner course, with its tighter turns and flat stretch will be two pluses in her favor.

Last year’s fourth-place Arc finish by Through Seven Seas had done much to buoy spirits in Japan’s racing circles. And, this year, the Ritto-based Shin Emperor’s third-place finish in the Sept. 14 Irish Champion Stakes (a Group 1 over 2,000 meters) had given hope that the country’s 55-year pursuit of victory in the coveted Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe would soon be over.

Sadly, those hopes were dashed once again on Sunday, Oct. 6, as Shin Emperor turned in a bleak 12th-place finish from 16 starters. And no cheer was to be had from the Ireland-trained, 4-year-old colt Al Riffa either. Co-owned by Japanese businessman Masaaki Matsushima and ridden by the iconic Yutaka Take, Al Riffa was only able to top Shin Emperor’s finish by one in 11th place.

The win went to the late entry Bluestocking, an England-based 4-year-old filly bred and owned by Juddmonte. She had nabbed the Group 1 Prix Vermeille last month at Longchamp over the Arc distance of 2,400 meters and had been supplemented to run just days before the race. Ridden by Rossa Ryan and trained by Ralph Beckett, the Camelot-sired Bluestocking clocked 2 minutes 31.58 seconds in the 103rd running of the Arc and handed the Juddmonte bloodstock operation its seventh Arc victory.

Racing close to the front close to the leader, this year’s Irish Derby winner Los Angeles, Bluestocking had escaped any traffic troubles caused by the tragic breakdown of Haya Zark, who fell back through the field and was later euthanized.

Aventure, a 3-year-old ridden by Stephane Pasquier, finished in second a length and a quarter behind the winner. Los Angeles followed 1 1/2 lengths later in third, under Ryan Moore.

The pace of the Arc had been unusually slow, with Shin Emperor looking to be solidly in the game into the straight, but from there he flattened out, leaving both trainer and jockey baffled. “The horse was in good condition,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi, “and his trip wasn’t bad.

“In fact, the track condition was within range of what I considered to be ideal. To be honest, at the moment, I don’t understand yet what could have really brought this result. I will study the race, analyze everything and plan to have him back on track getting good results.”

“He was in good condition,” agreed jockey Ryusei Sakai, “and I didn’t get the feeling that he was having a hard time with the ground. Under way, he seemed just fine, but when the pace suddenly picked up he couldn’t keep up.

“All I can say is that I’m sorry we didn’t get the results we were hoping for and I’d like to thank all the fans in Japan who stayed up late watching the race.”

Yutaka Take rode the Irish G1 winner Al Riffa, not a Japan-based horse, but one co-owned by Japanese businessman Masaaki Matsushima. Traveling toward the rear of midfield, Al Riffa failed to show promise from 2 furlongs out.

Take, who enjoyed a personal Arc best fourth place aboard Kizuna in 2013 (and a third aboard Deep Impact in 2006 only to later be disqualified), said, “Results are everything in racing, so in that sense, these were tough results. I would have preferred he’d traveled from a more forward position. He was in good condition, but just before turning into the straight he was no longer responding well.

“It was a joy to ride in the Arc, and even though the results weren’t good, I had fun riding. Being able to ride in this race is something that I realize more and more is really something special,” Take said.

And to his fans back home, he added, “Before I left Japan, so many people wished me well, and encouraged me saying, ‘Do your best!’ And I know many people have been sitting in front of their televisions watching the race. I really want to bring home the results that will make them happy. I will keep at it!”

Ninth pick Lugal captured his first G1 title in his comeback race after being sidelined for half a year due to a fracture. Debuting as a two-year-old in November, the Duramente colt broke his maiden in his fourth career start in January of his three-year-old season. Though winless during that season after winning the Tachibana Stakes (Listed, 1,400m) in May, he marked two runner-up efforts in the Aoi Stakes (G3, 1,200m) and the Keihan Hai (G3, 1,200m). He captured his first graded title in his four-year-old kickoff start, the Silk Road Stakes (G3, 1,200m), but was 10th in the following Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1, 1,200m), after which the colt was found to have a fracture in his left foreleg. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama marked his sixth JRA-G1 title following his Tenno Sho (Spring) victory with Justin Palace last year, and jockey Atsuya Nishimura captured his ninth graded win and first G1 title in his seventh year since his debut.

Lugal broke sharply from the outer draw and settled third from Puro Magic who set a super-fast pace. Responding willingly to the jockey’s urging, the Duramente colt advanced to second at the top of the stretch, continued to accelerate strongly to nail the frontrunner 100 meters out and held off the strong challenges from behind to cross the wire a neck in front.

“The track is very fast here at Nakayama these days, so a sharp break was crucial. Since he disappointed to 10th in the spring’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen despite being first pick, our team truly did our best for him to bounce back. We’ll carefully consider his future racing options which will probably include overseas campaigns,” trainer Haruki Sugiyama commented in a post-race interview.

“I’m grateful to the trainer and everyone involved for working so hard to bring the horse back from a fracture. I’m really glad that we were able to win this race because we disappointed everyone when we finished 10th in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen even though we were posted race favorite,” commented jockey Atsuya Nishimura.

Quick out of the gate, fifth pick Toshin Macau hugged the rails in sixth to seventh, passed his rivals one by one from the inner course at the stretch and threatened the winner until the wire for a neck second.

Fourth choice Namura Clair traveled around twelfth behind the race favorite, angled out to find space entering the lane and unleashed a powerful late charge that timed the fastest closing speed to finish another neck behind in third.

Slow out of the gate, race favorite Satono Reve traveled around sixth to eighth, turned the last two corners wide to make bid from the outside but the son of Lord Kanaloa was unable to respond in the stretch and finished seventh.

Hong Kong invader and Takamatsunomiya Kinen third-place finisher Victor The Winner sprinted well from a wide stall to briefly rally for the lead but settled in fourth. Making a wide bid turning for home, the sixth favorite improved to third 200 meters out but lacked the final kick climbing the stretch hill, failing to reach contention and finished sixth.

“I think he ran a reasonable race. It was a fast pace and Joao Moreira gave him every possible chance. I’m not disappointed. Our next target will be the Hong Kong Sprint in December,” said trainer Chap Shing Shum after the race.

“It was a fast-run race. The track probably played in favor of the front runners. The winner was actually sitting in third in the race on the fence two lengths in front of me and he just kept that distance. Unfortunately, my horse was a little bit affected by the track—it was a little soft. At the end of the day, I don’t think it was a bad race, the horse tried his best and I’m very pleased with that,” commented jockey Joao Moreira.

Sent off 13th pick, Hong Kong’s other contender Mugen was settled fourth from the rear in the backstretch and made a mild bid turning the last corner but never fired thereafter and was 13th.

“The overall pace was very fast and we couldn’t run in good rhythm. The distance could have been a bit too short for him. 1,400 to 1,600-meter races might suit him better,” said Karis Teetan after the race.

Other Horses:
4th: (6) Mama Cocha—5th on rails, shifted out at last corner, dug in strongly in last 100m but tagged before wire by fast-closing rival
5th: (3) Win Marvel—sat in mid-pack on rails behind favorite, split horses and dug in gamely, caught in last strides
8th: (10) Puro Magic—broke sharply to take lead, set fast pace, gave up lead 50m out, used up in final strides
9th: (4) A Shin Spotter—off slow, saved ground 5th to 6th from rear, showed effort in stretch, lacked final kick
10th: (8) Mozu Meimei—3rd from rear near rails, mild acceleration in stretch, passed tired rivals
11th: (1) Obamburumai—slow break, trailed in rear, passed tired rivals in stretch
12th: (7) Mad Cool—traveled 2-wide in 6th, never reached contention
14th: (16) Win Greatest—settled in 2nd after rallying to set pace, gradually fell back at stretch
15th: (11) Danon Scorpion—good start, eased back to 2nd from rear, even paced
16th: (15) Vento Voce—traveled 3-wide around 8-10th, faded after final corner

Welcome back to our annual series of newsletters leading up to the 2024 Japan Cup (G1, 2,400m) on November 24. The fall racing season is heading toward the Japan Autumn International Series, which will be held over four weekends between November 10 and December 1 and will comprise four prestigious G1 races: the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,200m), the Mile Championship (G1, 1,600m), the Japan Cup, and the Champions Cup (G1, dirt, 1,800m). Total prize money for the four G1 events will amount to ¥2.01 billion (US$14.3 million), with additional bonuses for winners of designated overseas G1 events who also finish within the top three in any of the four races. Winners of designated overseas races who finish outside the top three places in the Japan Cup and other invitational runners are also guaranteed incentives of US$200,000 and US$100,000 respectively.

Featured Runners in Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup and Arima Kinen

The 2023 Japan Cup was a historic event for Japanese racing as the first matchup between the four-year-old Equinox (JPN, by Kitasan Black), who had won five consecutive G1 races, including most recently the 2,000-meter Tenno Sho (Autumn) in a record 1:55.2, and Liberty Island (JPN, F4, by Duramente), the year’s three-year-old Triple Crown filly. In the race, Equinox surpassed all expectations by pulling away from the leaders to win by an overwhelming four lengths over runner-up Liberty Island.

Following his impressive Japan Cup victory, Equinox’s standing in the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings was revised from 134 to 135, securing him the top spot for the entire 2023 season, beginning with his victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March. He also became only the second Japanese runner to reach the top ranking. At the same time, the Japan Cup led the list of the World’s Top 100 G1 Races for the first time, based on the average ratings of the race’s top four finishers. Given the lofty heights reached by Equinox, his connections announced his retirement from racing four days after the Japan Cup.

Other 2023 Japan Cup runners now retired include fifth-place finisher Titleholder (JPN, by Duramente), seventh-place Vela Azul (JPN, by Eishin Flash) and twelfth-place Panthalassa (JPN, by Lord Kanaloa).

Stars on Earth, who finished third in the Japan Cup, and Do Deuce, who finished fourth, were joined by Titleholder in the Arima Kinen (G1, 2,500m) four weeks later. Winner Do Deuce raced behind early but caught Titleholder, who had led most of the way, as well as Stars on Earth (JPN, M5, by Duramente), who had also tracked the leader, to eventually beat Stars on Earth by half a length for his third G1 victory and first since the 2022 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m). Equinox’s final rating was further boosted by the race as win, place and show were taken by three of the top five from the prestigious Japan Cup.

Liberty Island, Stars on Earth and Do Deuce are still in training, but despite their stellar performances in 2023, their 2024 seasons have not been as successful. Do Deuce (JPN, H5, by Heart’s Cry) entered the 2024 Dubai Turf (G1, 1,800m) after a last-minute scratch in 2023, but struggled to find space from the inside and finished fifth behind fellow Japanese runners, Namur and Danon Beluga, who crossed the wire in second and third respectively. His comeback start in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) on a soft track in heavy rain resulted in a sixth-place finish. His fall campaign will commence with the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m) on October 27 and then probably the Japan Cup on November 24 and the Arima Kinen on December 22.

Liberty Island and Stars on Earth both flew to Dubai for the 2,410-meter Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). Liberty Island, the favorite based on tickets sold in Japan, was unable to find her speed at the stretch and finished third. Stars on Earth, who was forced to change riders, disappointed to eighth. Liberty Island will make her fall debut in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) but plans for Stars on Earth are still undetermined.

Danon Beluga (JPN, H5, by Heart’s Cry), who was sixth in the 2023 Japan Cup, took a long break after finishing third in the Dubai Turf in March. He is expected to come back in the 2,000-meter Tenno Sho (Autumn) but may avoid stepping up in distance to run in the Japan Cup. Deep Bond (JPN, H7, by Kizuna), despite finishing tenth in last year’s Japan Cup, remains one of Japan’s top runners despite having reached age seven. Although heavily defeated to 15th in the year-end Arima Kinen, he bounced back from seventh in the Hanshin Daishoten (G2, 3,000m) to score an impressive third in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m) after placing second for the past three consecutive years. He is slated to kick off his fall campaign with the Kyoto Daishoten (G2, 2,400m) on October 6 and then head to the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.

Horses not in the 2023 Japan Cup lineup but who may run this year include Durezza (JPN, C4, by Duramente), the 2023 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3,000m) champion. In his latest overseas endeavor, the International Stakes (G1, 2,050m) at York Racecourse in the United Kingdom on August 21, the colt advanced to third at one point but failed to find another gear and finished fifth. He is expected to aim for the Japan Cup after a break.

Blow the Horn (JPN, H5, by Epiphaneia), who was runner-up in the Tenno Sho (Spring) and then broke into the top ranks with his first G1 triumph in the Takarazuka Kinen, is scheduled to make his fall comeback in the Kyoto Daishoten and then aim for the Arima Kinen, and possibly the Japan Cup.

Justin Palace (JPN, H5, by Deep Impact) will kick off his fall campaign in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), where he finished second last year when Equinox won in record time. The 2023 Tenno Sho (Spring) winner finished fourth in his first overseas challenge, the Dubai Sheema Classic earlier this year, and then struggled to 10th on a heavy surface in his comeback start, the Takarazuka Kinen. After the Tenno Sho (Autumn), he will likely pass the Japan Cup for the Arima Kinen, where he was fourth last year.

Other possible runners in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and/or the Japan Cup include Bellagio Opera (JPN, C4, by Lord Kanaloa), this year’s Osaka Hai (G1, 2,000m) victor; Lebensstil (JPN, C4, by Real Steel), winner of the All Comers (G2, 2,200m) on September 22; Rousham Park (JPN, H5, by Harbinger), the Osaka Hai runner-up who will commence his autumn season with the Mainichi Okan (G2, 1,600m) on October 6; Sol Oriens (JPN, C4, by Kitasan Black), winner of last year’s Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) and runner-up in the Takarazuka Kinen in June; T O Royal (JPN, H6, by Leontes), the Tenno Sho (Spring) winner who was forced to withdraw from his intended start in the Kyoto Daishoten due to a minor leg problem and head to the Japan Cup; and Tastiera (JPN, C4, by Satono Crown), the 2023 Tokyo Yushun champion.

Among the notable three-year-olds, Tokyo Yushun third-place finisher and French-bred Shin Emperor (C3, by Siyouni) is drawing much attention ahead of his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1, 2,400m) challenge on October 6. A full brother to 2020 Arc winner Sottsass, Shin Emperor won his first two career starts, including the Kyoto Nisai Stakes (G3, 2,000m), but has finished second, fifth and third in his three G1 starts. When purchasing the colt, his connections made it clear that they were targeting the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. When the opportunity arose, Shin Emperor flew to Europe in late August and ran in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1, 2,000m) on September 14 where he raced around fourth position early but met traffic 200 meters out and, while showing good finishing speed belatedly, finished third.

Meanwhile, Danon Decile (JPN, C3, by Epiphaneia), after claiming the Tokyo Yushun as ninth favorite in May, is going directly to the Kikuka Sho, the third leg of the Triple Crown. With little time to recover from the long-distance G1, the colt will likely skip the Japan Cup in favor of the Arima Kinen. Justin Milano (JPN, C3, by Kizuna), who won his first three career starts, including the Satsuki Sho, and was second by two lengths to Danon Decile when he stepped up in distance in the Derby, is expected to aim for the 2,000-meter Tenno Sho (Autumn) instead of the Kikuka Sho.

Regaleira (JPN, F3, by Suave Richard), after beating male two-year-olds in last year’s Hopeful Stakes (G1, 2,000m), proved competitive against top three-year-old colts when finishing sixth and fifth in the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Yushun, respectively. The daughter of Suave Richard made her fall comeback against fillies in the Rose Stakes (G2, 2,000m) on September 15 in which she trailed behind a field of 15 then launched the fastest late speed but had too much ground to make up, finishing fifth. Instead of taking on three-year-old fillies in the Shuka Sho (G1, 2,000m) on October 13, she is expected to challenge top senior fillies in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1, 2,200m) on November 10.

Stellenbosch (JPN, F3, by Epiphaneia), winner of the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m) and runner-up in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400m), and Cervinia (JPN, F3, by Harbinger), who beat Stellenbosch in the Yushun Himba, will go directly to the Shuka Sho. Both may consider the Japan Cup, where three-year-old fillies have done well in recent years.

Sprint, Older Fillies & Mares, Mile, Dirt, and Steeplechasing

The opening G1 event of the 2024 JRA fall season, the Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) on September 29, will welcome foreign contenders for the first time in six years, namely Mugen (AUS, G6, by Deep Field) and Victor the Winner (AUS, G6, by Toronado), both from Hong Kong.

The Stakes’ defending champion Mama Cocha (JPN, M5, by Kurofune) commenced her autumn campaign with the Centaur Stakes (G2, 1,200m) on September 8, in which she finished second behind Oceans Stakes (G3, 1,200m) winner Toshin Macau (JPN, M5, by Big Arthur). Mozu Meimei (JPN, F4, by Real Impact), winner of the Ibis Summer Dash (G3, 1,000m), followed in third while Victoria Mile (G1, 1,600m) champion Ten Happy Rose (JPN, M6, by Epiphaneia) was seventh and Kitakyushu Kinen (G3, 1,200m) victor Puro Magic (JPN, F3, by Asia Express) was 13th.

Namura Clair (JPN, M5, by Mikki Isle), who marked two seconds and a third in her four starts in JRA sprint G1 races, prepped in the Keeneland Cup (G3, 1,200m) on August 25 but met traffic on the stretch rails to finish fifth. The race was won by Satono Reve (JPN, H5, by Lord Kanaloa), who claimed his second graded title following the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (G3, 1,200m). In second was A Shin Spotter (JPN, H5, by A Shin Hikari) and Golden Eagle (1,500m) victor Obamburumai (JPN, C4, by Discreet Cat) was third.

The Sprinters Stakes will also include 2022 NHK Mile Cup (G1, 1,600m) victor Danon Scorpion (JPN, H5, by Lord Kanaloa), this year’s Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1, 1,200m) champion Mad Cool (IRE, H5, by Dark Angel), and four-time graded winner Win Marvel (JPN, H5, by I’ll Have Another).

This year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup for three-year-old-and-up fillies and mares will be held at Kyoto Racecourse on November 10. Last year’s champion Brede Weg (JPN, F4, by Lord Kanaloa), who scored her first G1 victory, has not raced since then. She was scheduled to kick off the current season with an inaugural overseas endeavor in the Dubai Turf, but a problem in her right hind leg forced her to cancel, and she also had to withdraw from the Niigata Kinen (G3, 2,000m) on September 1 due to sore muscles. She is scheduled to make her return in the Fuchu Himba Stakes (G2, 1,800m) on October 14.

Last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup runner-up Rouge Eveil (JPN, M5, Just a Way) registered a respectable third as 11th choice in the Osaka Hai (G1, 2,000m) in March against male opponents, and then finished eighth in the Takarazuka Kinen in June. She will commence her autumn campaign in the Fuchu Himba Stakes, which will include other Queen Elizabeth II Cup candidates such as Conch Shell (JPN, F4, by Kizuna), Moryana (JPN, F4, by Epiphaneia) and Ravel (JPN, F4, by Kitasan Black), respective winners of the 2024 Nakayama Himba Stakes (G3, 1,800m), the 2023 Shion Stakes (G2, 2,000m) and the 2022 Artemis Stakes (G3, 1,600m). Others include Harper (JPN, F4, by Heart’s Cry) and Lilac (JPN, M5, by Orfevre), respective runners-up in the 2023 Yushun Himba and the 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

This year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup field may also include Shinryokuka (JPN, F4, by Satono Diamond), who is coming off her first grade-race title in the Niigata Kinen, and Saliera (JPN, M5, by Deep Impact), who finished 12th in the All Comers, as well as three-year-old fillies who run in the Shuka Sho, the last leg of the fillies’ Triple Tiara.

The Mile Championship on November 17 will feature defending champion Namur (JPN, M5, by Harbinger), who followed last year’s race with consistent performances overseas, including third in the Hong Kong Mile (G1, 1,600m) and second in the Dubai Turf. Back home, however, she was beaten to eighth in the Victoria Mile, but fought well in the following Yasuda Kinen in June to finish second to Romantic Warrior (IRE), Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year. Like last year she might run in the same prep race, the Fuji Stakes (G2, 1,600m) on October 19, against a field that may include Al Naseem (JPN, H5, by Maurice), Red Mon Reve (JPN, H5, by Lord Kanaloa) and Serifos (JPN, H5, by Daiwa Major), respective winners of the Chukyo Kinen (G3, 1,800m) in July, the 2023 Keio Hai Spring Cup (G2, 1,400m) and the 2022 Mile Championship. Another possible is last year’s runner-up, Soul Rush (JPN, H6, by Rulership), who was third in this year’s Yasuda Kinen, and Jantar Mantar (JPN, C3, by Palace Malice), the 2023 Best Two-Year-Old Colt and winner of another G1 title in the NHK Mile Cup in May.

Ascoli Piceno (JPN, F3, by Daiwa Major), who won the 2023 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1, 1,600m) to become the year’s Best Two-Year-Old Filly, has been consistent this season. In addition to runner-up efforts in both the Oka Sho and the NHK Mile Cup, she won the Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (G3, 1,600m) on September 8, running against older foes for the first time. Ascoli Piceno is entered in the AUD 10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on November 2 along with 2023 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (G2, 1,400m) victor Corazon Beat (JPN, F3, by Suave Richard).

This year’s Mile Championship field will also include Elton Barows (JPN, C4, by Deep Brillante), who was fourth in last year’s race and is scheduled to kick off his autumn season with the Mainichi Okan; Gaia Force (JPN, H5, by Kitasan Black), fourth in the Yasuda Kinen; and Tudo de Bom (JPN, H5, by Isla Bonita), who scored his first graded title in the Sekiya Kinen (G3, 1,600m) in August.

JRA’s autumn dirt G1 event, the Champions Cup, will be held at Chukyo Racecourse on December 1. Last year, Lemon Pop (USA, H6, by Lemon Drop Kid) dominated both this race and the February Stakes (G1, dirt, 1,600m) to become only the fourth horse in history to win both JRA G1 dirt events in the same year, earning him the title of Best Dirt Horse. Although heavily beaten to 12th in his second overseas challenge, the Saudi Cup (G1, dirt, 1,800m) in February, he bounced back in Japan to win the Sakitama Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,400m) at NAR’s Urawa Racecourse in June. He will attempt to defend his title in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,600m) at NAR’s Morioka Racecourse on October 14 and then will likely head to the JBC Sprint (Listed, dirt, 1,400m) at NAR’s Saga Racecourse on November 3 and/or the Champions Cup.

Ushba Tesoro (JPN, H7, by Orfevre) and Derma Sotogake (JPN, C4, by Mind Your Biscuits), who finished second and fifth, respectively, in the Nippon TV Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,800m) at NAR’s Funabashi Racecourse on September 25, will fly to the U.S. for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Crown Pride (JPN, H5, by Reach the Crown) and Wilson Tesoro (JPN, H5, by Kitasan Black), respective runners-up in the Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023, both ran in the Korea Cup (G3, dirt, 1,800m) in Seoul on September 8, where the former grabbed the title with the latter behind in second by five lengths. They will head to the JBC Classic (Listed, dirt, 2,000m) at NAR’s Saga on November 4 or the Champions Cup.

Other older horses who are likely to aim for the Champions Cup include last year’s third-place finisher Dura Erede (JPN, C4, by Duramente), who will commence his autumn season with the Miyako Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m) on November 3 or the JBC Classic; King’s Sword (JPN, H5, by Sinister Minister), who won the Teio Sho (Listed, dirt, 2,000m) in June and is slated to run in the JBC Classic to defend his title; Peisha Es (JPN, H5, by Espoir City), winner of three graded races, including the Elm Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,700m) in August, who is scheduled to run in the Musashino Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,600m) on November 9; Peptide Nile (JPN, H6, by King Kamehameha), this year’s February Stakes Champion, who will face Lemon Pop in the Mile Championship Nambu Hai; and Yamanin Ours (JPN, C4, by Just a Way), who remains undefeated in five career starts, including his first graded title in the Procyon Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,700m) in July.

JRA and four other organizations including the National Association of Racing (NAR) jointly established a series of three annual “Dirt Triple Crown” races for three-year-old colts beginning this year. The first two legs were won by JRA-based horses—Amante Bianco (JPN, C3, by Henny Hughes) claimed the Haneda Hai (Listed, dirt, 1,800m) in April and Ramjet (JPN, C3, by Majestic Warrior) notched the Tokyo Derby (Listed, dirt, 2,000m) in June. The last leg, the Japan Dirt Classic (Listed, dirt, 2,000m), will be held at NAR’s Oi Racecourse on October 2.

The Japan Dirt Classic field will include Forever Young (JPN, C3, by Real Steel), winner of this year’s Saudi Derby (G3, dirt, 1,600m) and UAE Derby (G2, dirt, 1,900m), who also registered a respectable third in the Kentucky Derby (G1, dirt, 2,000m); Mikki Fight (JPN, C3, by Drefong), winner of the Leopard Stakes (G3, dirt, 1,800m) in August; Sunrise Zipangu (JPN, C3, by Kizuna), who won the Kozukata Sho (Listed, dirt, 2,000m) at Morioka on September 3; Tokyo Derby runner-up Satono Epic (JPN, C3, by Kitasan Black); and Ramjet. Following the Japan Dirt Classic, Forever Young is scheduled to run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the U.S. and certain other aforementioned three-year-olds will challenge older horses in races such as the JBC Classic and the Champions Cup.

The Nakayama Daishogai (J-G1, 4,100m) on December 21, the second of this year’s two J-G1 steeplechase events, will determine the season’s best jumper. Last year’s champion and Best Steeplechase Horse, Meiner Grand (JPN, H6, by Gold Ship), scored his third graded title in the Hanshin Spring Jump (J-G2, 3,900m) in March but failed to add the other J-G1 title in the Nakayama Grand Jump (4,250m) in April. In his fall campaign he may challenge the Tokyo High-Jump (J-G2, 3,110m) on October 13.

This year’s Nakayama Daishogai will likely see participants such as June Velocity (JPN, H6, by Lord Kanaloa), winner of the Tokyo Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,110m) in June, Hokko Mevius (JPN, G8, by Daiwa Major), winner of the Niigata Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,250m) in July, Roscoff (JPN, H6, by Orfevre), winner of the Kokura Summer Jump (J-G3, 3,300m) in August, and Saperavi (JPN, H7, by Rose Kingdom), winner of the Hanshin Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,330m) in September. Irogotoshi (JPN, H7, by Vincennes), back-to-back victor in the Nakayama Grand Jump, was diagnosed with a tendon injury in his left foreleg, which will sideline him from racing for at least nine months.

Final Two Legs of Three-Year-Old Triple Crowns

In April’s Oka Sho, the first jewel of the fillies’ Triple Tiara, Stellenbosch took the spotlight by denying 2023 Best Two-Year-Old Filly Ascoli Piceno by 3/4 length. In the following Yushun Himba in May, Cervinia bounced back from a disappointing 13th in the Oka Sho by closing strongly to secure the Oaks title by edging out runner-up Stellenbosch right before the wire. While Ascoli Piceno will focus on shorter distances against males and older foes in the autumn, Stellenbosch and Cervinia will face each other in the final leg of the fillies Triple Crown, the Shuka Sho on October 13, their kick-off starts for the fall season.

Two trial races were held leading up to the Shuka Sho. Christmas Parade (JPN, F3, by Kitasan Black) dominated the Shion Stakes on September 7, holding off Flower Cup (G3, 1,800m) winner Mi Anhelo (JPN, F3, by Duramente) by a neck in a record-breaking performance. Bond Girl (JPN, F3, by Daiwa Major), who has three runner-up efforts at the graded level, followed in third.

In the other trial, the Rose Stakes (G2, 2,000m) on September 15, Queen Cup (G3, 1,600m) victor Queen’s Walk (JPN, F3, by Kizuna) picked off her rivals in a strong stretch drive for a 1-1/2-length win. Celesta (JPN, F3, by Harbinger) finished second in her grade-race debut, while 11th pick Sekitoba East (JPN, F3, by Declaration of War) was a head behind in third. In fourth was Wasurenagusa Sho (Listed, 2,000m) winner Tagano Elpida (JPN, F3, by Kizuna).

This year’s Shuka Sho field will also include Admire Belle (JPN, F3, by Suave Richard), winner of the Flora Stakes (G2, 2,000m) in April, and Koganeno Sora (JPN, F3, by Gold Ship), the Sweetpea Stakes (Listed, 1,800m) victor in April, who won against older female rivals in the Queen Stakes (G3, 1,800m) on July 28.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Yushun champion Danon Decile will head directly to the last leg of the colts’ Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho on October 20. Satsuki Sho winner and Tokyo Yushun runner-up Justin Milano, considered best at distances below 2,400 meters, will instead challenge older rivals in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Two-time G1 mile winner Jantar Mantar is focused on the mile distance and therefore will also not be participating in the Kikuka Sho.

In the first Kikuka Sho trial, the St. Lite Kinen (G2, 2,200m) on September 16, Urban Chic (JPN, C3, by Suave Richard) won by 1-3/4 lengths, improving greatly from an 11th-place defeat in the Tokyo Yushun. In second place was Satsuki Sho runner-up Cosmo Kuranda (JPN, C3, by Al Ain), followed by Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1, 1,600m) runner-up Ecoro Walz (JPN, C3, by Black Tide) another 2-1/2 lengths behind in third.

In another trial, the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2, 2,200m) on September 22, graded winner Meisho Tabaru (JPN, C3, by Gold Ship) performed admirably in a gate-to-wire victory, holding off Kyoto Shimbun Hai (G2, 2,200m) champion June Take (JPN, C3, by Kizuna) by a 1/2 length. In third was Shonan la Punta (JPN, C3, by Kizuna), who bounced back from a dismal 15th in the Tokyo Yushun. Kisaragi Sho (G3, 1,800m) winner Byzantine Dream (JPN, C3, by Epiphaneia) finished sixth while Wakaba Stakes (Listed, 2,000m) winner Mr G T (JPN, C3, by Duramente) never contended, ending in 10th.

This year’s Kikuka Sho will also include Redentor (JPN, C3, by Rulership), who marked his fourth career win in the Nihonkai Stakes (3 Wins Class, 2,200m) against older foes on August 17 and Sunrise Earth (JPN, C3, by Rey de Oro), winner of the Sumire Stakes (Listed, 2,200m) in February.