Takamatsunomiya Kinen: Satono Reve Captures 1st G1 Title

Second choice Satono Reve scored his first G1 title in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in his first start of this season on Sunday, March 30 at Chukyo Racecourse.

In his final race of 2024, Satono Reve finished third in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1, 1,200 meters) on December 8. The Lord Kanaloa progeny won three of six races he entered last year.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori claimed his 16th JRA-G1 title following the 2023 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) with Tastiera and his third Takamatsunomiya Kinen victory after wins with Kinshasa no Kiseki in 2010 and 2011.

Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira notched his third Japan Racing Association G1 title. It was his first since the 2024 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) with Stellenbosch.

Takamatsunomiya Kinen — *Winning jockey Joao Moreira reacts after the race. (©SANKEI)*

Satono Reve Rises to the Challenge

Satono Reve broke smoothly and eased back to around ninth to turn the corners in mid-division. While meeting traffic entering the lane, Moreira steered his mount to the outside to make a bid and the son of Lord Kanaloa responded willingly. He unleashed an impressive late charge to take the front 100 meters out.

Satono Reve held off the fast-closing Namura Clair (Christophe Lemaire) in the last 100 meters for his first G1 title, completing the race in 1 minute, 7.9 seconds.

"The horse gave me a beautiful ride," Moreira said after the 1,200-meter race. "He behaved very well from the gate, traveled nicely on the bend. I angled him out as we approached the homestretch, and from there he showed that he has an amazing ability."

Takamatsumomiya Kinen — *The 55th running of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo Racecourse. (©SANKEI)*

In Pursuit of Takamatsunomiya Kinen Glory

Race favorite Namura Clair settled towards the rear, around fifth from last, entered the lane in mid-division, surged out through a narrow space behind Satono Reve 200 meters out and threatened the winner with the fastest closing speed (33.3 seconds over the final three furlongs). But Namura Clair was three-quarter lengths short, resulting in a third consecutive runner-up finish in this race. (Watch the full race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

Sixth pick and 2023 Sprinters Stakes champion Mama Cocha (Yuga Kawada) traveled wide around ninth after breaking sharply from stall 15 and turned the final corner to rally for the lead. She briefly took command at the 200-meter pole and, while overtaken by top two finishers in the last 100 meters, managed to hold off the late chargers to secure third place by 1¼ lengths.

Finishing fourth was Toshin Macau (Takeshi Yokoyama). The Big Arthur-sired thoroughbred reached the wire a neck's length behind Mama Cocha.

Eighth pick A Shin Fencer (Kenji Kawamata) rounded out the top five in the 18-horse field. He was 1½ lengths back of Yokoyama's ride.