By Sean Cronin
Sunday Racing Company's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black), not seen since annexing that Classic in June, became the latest Japanese nominee to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a narrow victory in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp.
“I knew the horse needed the race and I am very happy with the result,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “Earlier this week he had not worked so well at Chantilly, so I didn't get much sleep before the race and I am relieved for sure. He handled downhill very well and also the soft ground, which was a concern beforehand. He did wander a bit in the straight, but I am convinced the lack of fitness is the reason. With one race now under his belt I am certain that he will come on a lot for the run and be fully ready for the Arc.”
The 7-5 favourite was swiftly into stride and raced prominently early before settling in fourth and remaining there for the most part. Easing to the outside for a clear passage off the home turn, he launched his challenge with 300 metres remaining and stayed on powerfully under a drive to hold the late rattle of G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Daryz (Sea The Stars) by a short head.
Pedigree Notes
Croix Du Nord, who became Japan's champion juvenile after posting a win in last year's G1 Hopeful Stakes, is one of his sire's 10 Group winners which include three at the highest level. Croix Du Nord is the leading performer for G2 Park Hill Stakes victrix and G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks placegetter Rising Cross (Cape Cross), herself the leading performer out of a half-sister to the dam of stakes-winning sire and G3 Solario Stakes and GIII La Jolla Handicap placegetter Falkenham (Polar Falcon). Croix Du Nord's fourth dam Cley (Exbury) is kin to Derby-winning sires Blakeney (Hethersett) and Morston (Ragusa). Rising Cross is also the dam of the multiple Group 3-placed Earthrise (Manhattan Cafe) and the once raced 2-year-old full-brother to Croix Du Nord named Charing Cross.
Arc Contender 🇯🇵
Croix Du Nord just holds on in the Prix du Prince d'Orange and takes a step-forward towards the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October…#クロワデュノール #競馬@netkeiba pic.twitter.com/MEmUTLv0D6
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 14, 2025
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DU PRINCE D'ORANGE-G3, €73,200, ParisLongchamp, 9-14, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:11.69, vsf.
1–CROIX DU NORD (JPN), 128, c, 3, by Kitasan Black (Jpn)
1st Dam: Rising Cross (GB) (GSP & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Ire, GSP-US, $501,841), by Cape Cross (Ire)
2nd Dam: Woodrising (GB), by Nomination (GB)
3rd Dam: Bodham (GB), by Bustino (GB)
O-Sunday Racing Company Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Takashi Saito; J-Yuichi Kitamura; €36,600. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Jpn, 6-5-1-0, €3,332,273. *1/2 to Earthrise (Jpn) (Manhattan Cafe {Jpn}), MGSP-Jpn, $888,680. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Daryz (Fr), 126, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Daryakana (Fr), by Selkirk. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €14,640.
3–Nahraan (GB), 121, c, 3, Make Believe (GB)–First Kingdom (Ire), by Frankel (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Ltd; T-John & Thady Gosden. €10,980.
Margins: SHD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.40, 2.80, 6.10.
Also Ran: Uthred (Fr), Bolster (GB), Dumonet (Ire), Daring Prince (GB).
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