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The Tenno Sho, established in 1937, is run over 2,000 meters at Tokyo Racecourse.
2017 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) winner and second favorite Rey De Oro dominated this year’s Tenno Sho (Autumn) scoring his second G1 win in a tough competition which included six other G1 winners. After claiming all three of his two-year-old starts including the Hopeful Stakes (G2), the King Kamehameha colt commenced his three-year-old campaign with a fifth in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1) then claimed the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1). He landed another graded win in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2) and capped off the season with a runner-up effort in the Japan Cup (G1). This year, following a third in the Kyoto Kinen (G2) and a fourth in his overseas challenge, the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the colt was refreshed after given a six-month break and claimed the All Comers (G2) in September.
Trainer Kazuo Fujisawa’s most recent G1 win was with the colt in last year’s Tokyo Yushun and he now celebrates 27 JRA-G1 career wins. This is his sixth Tenno Sho (Autumn) triumph while the others were with; Bubble Gum Fellow (1996), Symboli Kris S (2002 and 2003), Zenno Rob Roy (2004) and Spielberg(2014). For Jockey Christophe Lemaire, this was his 20th JRA- G1 victory and third consecutive weekend to score a G1 win following the Shuka Sho with Almond Eye and the Tenno Sho (Autumn) with Fierement. This was his second three-week G1 winning streak, a feat he also accomplished last year (Victoria Mile, Yushun Himba [Japanese Oaks], Tokyo Yushun) while the only other jockey to do so was Olivier Peslier in 2001 (Mile Championship, Japan Cup, Hanshin juvenile Fillies).
The race got underway with sixth favorite Kiseki leading the field, Al Ain and Vivlos chasing the pace and Rey de Oro reserved in sixth. Shifting to an outer route after the last turn in fifth, Rey de Orounleashed a strong turn of foot, picked off all runners in front of him but one by the furlong marker and finally took over the lead from the stubborn pace setter 100 meters out to clear the wire a 1-1/4-length winner.
“I knew I had a good chance to win the Tenno Sho title for the first time. The colt’s condition and the race development were perfect. The pace was just right and the colt was relaxed so everything went smoothly. He showed good long-lasting speed. I’m grateful to be given great rides and am happy to be doing this well (tied with the most annual G1 wins (six)),” commented Christophe Lemaire.
Fourth favorite Sungrazer cruised two lengths behind Rey de Oro in mid-field, furiously chased the eventual winner down the straight while displaying the fastest last three-furlong drive, dug in gamely and poked his nose in front of Kiseki at the wire, stealing the runner-up seat.
Race favorite Suave Richard had to travel near the rear from being bumped heavily after the break and never reached contention, finishing 10th.