Ushba Tesoro became the first Japanese thoroughbred to win the prestigious international race since Sunday Silence descendant Victoire Pisa in 2011.
Equinox, a 3-year-old colt, galloped to victories in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen, securing the top individual honor for a Japanese thoroughbred.
French jockey Lemaire, who won his first Arima Kinen aboard Heart's Cry in 2005, steers race favorite Equinox to his second Grade 1 victory this year.
Trainer Tetsuya Kimura is hoping Equinox can replicate his winning form from October, when he produced a come-from-behind victory in the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
Christophe Lemaire guided the Kitasan Black-sired Equinox from 10th place late in the race to the front of the pack, earning his 42nd JRA Grade One...
Yuichi Fukunaga pilots the 3-year-old colt to a dramatic victory at the wire in the first leg of this year’s Japanese Triple Crown.
“As the level of Japanese racehorses has increased over the years, I’ve been really proud to showcase it on the global stage,” trainer Yoshito Yahagi said.
