CROIX Du Nord is now the undisputed best three-year-old colt in Japan following his comfortable victory in the Group 1 Tokyo Yushun-Japanese Derby, and he thoroughly avenged his only defeat in his previous start, when he was second in the Group 1 Satsuki Sho-Japanese 2000 Guineas. He has earned more than €3.25 million in his five starts, and is closing in on being the second-best money winner for Kitasan Black (Black Tide) after the great Equinox.

Winning jockey Yuichi Kitamura always had Croix Du Nord in a good position, breaking well from the gate. The pair took control a furlong and a half from home, and won by three-parts of a length. The Japanese 2000 Guineas winner Museum Mile was a disappointing sixth. Kitamura said: “[Croix Du Nord] felt great today and I was able to come into the race with every confidence, so victory came as no surprise to me.”