DESPITE being held in less than favourable weather conditions, over 32,000 racing fans descended on Kyoto Racecourse for the 22nd running of the 2,000 metre Group 1 Shuka Sho. It is the female equivalent to the Japanese St Leger and acts as the final leg of the Fillies’ Triple Crown, worth over €720,000 to the winner.

The 2016 winner Vivlos went on win this year’s renewal of the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse on Dubai World Cup night.

Soul Stirring, winner of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), was an absentee from the Shuka Sho line-up with connections opting for the Group 2 Mainichi Okan instead. That was a bid that ultimately ended in disappointment as the daughter of Frankel failed to trouble the placings.

Reine Minoru, winner of the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) took her place in the 18-runner Shuka Sho field in an attempt to double her classic tally and essentially guarantee her the champion three-year-old award.

The Group 2 Kansai Telecasting Corp. Sho Rose Stakes (top three qualify) and the Shion Stakes (top two) acted as qualifying race for a guaranteed berth in the Shuka Sho.

On ground officially described as yielding, it was Shion Stakes winner Deirdre who prevailed in a wide open race. The first six in the betting were all sent off at single-figure odds and the race generated over €100,000,000 in betting turnover.

Slowly away, Deirdre settled into the rear of mid-division in the early stages with Christophe Lemaire on-board. Turning into the home straight Lemaire angled his mount off of the rail to challenge towards the centre of the track. Deirde showed an ample amount of stamina, staying-on resolutely to pass the line a length and a quarter winner.

Lys Gracieux finished second with Mozu Katchan a further nose back in third.

Trained by Mitsuru Hashida, Deirdre was the trainer’s first Group 1 winner in 10 years and his 11th in total, his most recent being Suzuka Phoenix who won the 2007 edition of the Takamatsunomiya Kinen.

Winning rider Christophe Lemaire celebrated his 14th JRA Group 1 title and fourth of 2017, including the Yushun Himba and Tokyo Yushun (Derby).

Red letter day for Harbinger

Not only was Deirdre a first Group 1 winner for her sire, Harbinger, but third placed, Mozu Katchan made it a first and third for the top-class European middle-distance horse.

The son of Dansili retired to stud in Japan in 2011 and was well received by Japanese breeders, covering in excess of 200 mares in his first two years at stud. Though his numbers have receded slightly in the subsequent years, he still covered a healthy book of 102 mares in 2016.

Harbinger is enjoying his most successful year as a stallion to date. This year he has produced a Group 2 winner along with multiple group-placed performers including Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) runner-up Persian Knight.

He stands at Shadai Stallion Station in northern Japan where he commanded a fee of 2,500,000 Yen (€19,000) this year.