Croix Du Nord (Jpn)

Thursday saw the all-important draw made for the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with the key take-out being the disastrous post position of 17 for the leading Japanese hope Croix Du Nord (Kitasan Black) among the 18 final confirmations. Things didn't get much better for the nation seeking its elusive first Arc, with the Tokyo Yushun winner's wide post compounded by the draw of 15 for the impressive Prix Foy winner Byzantine Dream (Epiphaneia). Some good news finally arrived during the live draw at 11am French time, with...

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...

The Sunday Racing silks were carried to a famous one-two at Nakayama on Sunday, but not in the order expected as Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) toppled the unbeaten Croix du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) to claim the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas). It was a blistering performance from Museum Mile as he lowered the course record for the 2,000-metre distance at Nakayama in a time of 1:57.00, passing the post with a length and a half to spare over...

To the surprise of no one, pride of place in Sunday's G1 Satsuki Sho belongs to the Sunday Silence sire line with eight representatives spread throughout the 18-strong field. The late Shadai Stallion Station luminary's first foals arrived in Japan in 1992, and from that first crop was 1995 Satsuki Sho winner Genuine (Jpn). Six others followed (Ishino Sunday {Jpn}, 1996, Air Shakur {Jpn}, 2000, Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}, 2001, Nishino Sunday {Jpn}, 2003, Daiwa Major {Jpn}, 2004, and Deep Impact {Jpn}, 2005). Sunday Silence saved the best for last, with...

Kieffers Company's Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) was named the 2024 Japanese Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Tuesday. The formal 2024 JRA Awards Ceremony will be held in a hotel in Tokyo at 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27. The Yasuo Tomomichi trainee was poised for a big 2024 and duly delivered victories in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the G1 Japan Cup in October and November, respectfully. He received 236 of the 256 possible votes for Horse...

Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) maintained his unbeaten record with a two-length victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama on Saturday. The heavy 4-5 favourite defeated Giovanni (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was 1 1/4 lengths to the good of 302-1 longshot Faust Rasen (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot). Fairly keen through the first turn, the dark bay settled in seventh behind Jun Asahi Sora (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) and Jet Magnum (Jpn) (Henry Barows {Jpn}), who battled through fractions of :23.70, :48.70, and 1:13.40. Swooping up into third entering...

Favoured at 6-5 in this step up to stakes company, Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) duly delivered in the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes on Saturday. After an even break, he soon ranged up in between horses to sit third behind a freewheeling Satono Shining (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and second choice Red Kingly (Jpn) (Saturnalia {Jpn}), a few lengths behind. Poised to pounce after 1000 metres in 1:00.90, he inched into second and took dead aim on the pacesetter. Charging up to even terms at the 400-metre...