KYOTO racecourse held its second Group 1 event in seven days. A week earlier, three-year-old fillies fought for the title of the Shuka Sho in heavy conditions.

A week on, it was time for the three-year-old colts to battle it out for the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in similarly atrocious elements. The final classic race of the year and last leg of the colt’s Triple Crown, the Kikuka Sho is run over 3,000 metres for a total prize pool of almost €2,000,000.

The noticeable absentee from the line-up was Tokyo Yushun (Derby) winner Rey De Oro. Connections have opted instead for the 2,400 metre Japan Cup later this month. It was Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) winner Al Ain who remained the sole classic winner of the field in Kyoto’s marathon event.

Torrential rain in the lead up to and on the day of the race, ensured an almost waterlogged course for the field of 18 runners to overcome.

With the majority of runners tackling the distance and heavy ground for the first time, a wide open race ensued with the field being sent to post with three horses vying for favouritism.

On the back of a second place in the Group 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai, beaten by Rey De Oro, it was Kiseki who was ultimately sent off as favourite and duly obliged his supporters by landing his first Group 1 title.

Slowly away from stall 13, Kiseki raced wide and towards the rear of mid-division. With the aid of the in-form Mirco Demuro in the irons, the dark bay colt quickened off the final bend, taking the lead as he entered the final furlong. Seemingly making light of the ground, Kiseki powered clear to win by an increasing two lengths.

Kiseki’s win marked the first Group 1 crown for his young sire Rulership in his first classic crop. The leading freshman sire of 2016 is by King Kamehameha, he has continued that rich vein of form into 2017. The eight-year-old now sits in 10th position in the leading turf sire ranks, competing with his elder more established rivals.

Rulership stands at Shadai Stallion Station. In 2017 he covered a book of 240 mares for a nomination fee of €30,000.