Croix du Nord Lands Narrow Victory in the Tenno Sho (Spring)

Heavy favorite Croix du Nord claimed his fourth Grade 1 victory in the Tenno Sho (Spring) on Sunday, May 3.

Croix du Nord previously won the 2024 Hopeful Stakes (2,000 meters), the 2025 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, 2,400 meters) and April's Osaka Hai (2,000 meters), which was his last start four weeks ago.

The brown colt became the first Japanese Derby champion to win this race after Meisho Samson in 2007 while also marking the seventh father-and-son victory of the Tenno Sho (Spring) in Japan Racing Association history. His sire, Kitasan Black, was a two-time winner (2016, 2017).

Trainer Takashi Saito secured his 11th JRA G1 victory. Jockey Yuichi Kitamura collected his ninth G1 win.

Croix du Nord Holds Off Wurttemberg

Croix du Nord broke smoothly and was forwardly positioned around sixth, three wide throughout most of the 3,200-meter trip. Maintaining good position in his first long-distance challenge, the Kitasan Black colt was given the go at the early stretch and responded immediately to draw away along the flat Kyoto stretch.

Croix du Nord looked very much a clear winner before Wurttemberg (Fuma Matsukawa's ride) came storming from behind, forcing a careful deliberation by the racing stewards who ultimately determined the 4-year-old colt as the winner. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

Crox du Nord — *Winning jockey Yuichi Kitamura is interviewed after the race. (©SANKEI)*

"I really didn't know whether we had won or not, and it was a long time waiting for the final results. But I feel relieved that we were the winner," Kitamura said.

"The plan was to have him relaxed going downhill in the first lap but the colt got a little keen. But all in all, he proved himself to be a terrific colt with all-around capabilities and power."

*In pursuit of Tenno Sho glory at Kyoto Racecourse, horses jockey for position on the turf track. (©SANKEI)*

Vying for Victory in the Spring Tenno Sho

Wurttemberg raced well off the pace at the very rear for most of the way, made headway going downhill toward the last corner and circled wide into the straight. Showing good speed from then on, the 6-year-old son of Kitasan Black was quickly at the heels of Admire Terra (Yutaka Take) with 200 meters to go. He matched the finishing speed of the eventual winner to pass all but Croix du Nord to just miss by a nose.

Admire Terra was positioned in mid-field and eased further back passing the grandstand for the first lap. Allowed to relax fourth from the rear along the backstretch while securing a clear path in front along the outside, the son of Rey de Oro picked up speed as soon as Croix du Nord made his move entering the stretch.

Admire Terra closed in impressively to threaten the eventual winner to half a length at the wire. But he was overtaken in the last strides by Wurttemberg.

Aqua Vernal (Kohei Matsuyama) finished fourth and 2025 Spring Tenno Sho winner Redentor (Christophe Lemaire) was fifth.