Cervinia Dominates in the 29th Running of the Shuka Sho

Race favorite Cervinia won the Shuka Sho, the last jewel of the Fillies' Triple Crown, on Sunday, October 13.

As a result, Cervinia became the fifth filly since Mikki Queen in 2015 to win this race and the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400 meters), the second leg of the racing series.

Harbinger-sired Cervinia registered her third grade-race title following the Artemis Stakes (G3, 1,600 meters) in October 2023 as a 2-year-old and her Yushun Himba triumph on May 19.

On Sunday, trainer Tetsuya Kimura and jockey Christophe Lemaire both won their first Japan Racing Association Grade 1 titles since the Yushun Himba.

For Lemaire, this was his third Shuka Sho victory. The Frenchman also rode Deirdre (2017) and Almond Eye (2018) to wins.

Sunday's triumph at Kyoto Racecourse marks the third consecutive Shuka Sho title for owner Sunday Racing Co, Ltd following its successes with Stunning Rose in 2022 and Liberty Island in 2023.

As the 2,000-meter race unfolded, the field was on its way in front of the Kyoto stands with Sekitoba East (and jockey Yusuke Fujioka) gunning for the lead while Cervinia was unhurried in a mid-pack position.

After pacemaker Sekitoba East extended her huge lead down the backstretch while setting a rapid pace, the field gradually started making their bids after the third corner.

Still surrounded by her rivals turning for home, the Yushun Himba victor readily responded before the 200-meter pole and easily kicked clear, pulling away for a 1¾-length victory over fifth favorite Bond Girl (Yutaka Take's ride).

Reaction from Winning Jockey Lemaire

"As always, it's not easy to win a G1 race, but Cervinia ran an incredible race today and everything went smoothly," Lemaire said after the race. "The distance was right for her. We were able to sit in a good position, she found her own rhythm and was very calm throughout."

The winning jockey added, "The fast pace was also a good factor and she responded beautifully."

Cervinia completed the race in 1 minute, 57.1 seconds. (Watch the 29th running of the Shuka Sho on the JRA's YouTube Channel.)

Bond Girl Makes a Spirited Pursuit of Victory

A touch late out of the gate, Bond Girl was eased back near the rear early before making a wide bid into the lane.

With the fastest speed over the final three furlongs (34.1 seconds), the Daiwa Major filly had a strong closing effort. But Bond Girl had too much ground to make up and had to settle for second.

Second favorite and Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600 meters) champion Stellenbosch (Keita Tosaki) started slowly and traveled around 10th.

After slightly angling out rounding the last corner, the bay filly switched to an inside path for running room with 200 meters remaining. Stellenbosch quickened willingly, improving to second but was pinned by Bond Girl just before the wire. The Epiphaneia progeny finished third, a half-length behind the runner-up.

Lavanda (Mirai Iwata) placed fourth and Christmas Parade (Yukito Ishikawa) rounded out the top five.

Sekitoba East faded from contention, finishing 13th.

Third favorite Queen's Walk (Yuga Kawada) was last in the 15-horse field.