THE pinnacle of Group 1 racing in the land of the rising sun, the Japan Cup was on offer for the 37th time over 2400 metres at Tokyo Racecourse in front of over 108,000 spectators.

All Japanese eyes focused on defending Japan Cup champion Kitasan Black in his attempt to become the first horse since Gentildonna to retain the title. A truly international line-up with a full field of 18 runners that represented four nations for the prize pool of 575,000,000 Yen (€4,350,000).

There has been no foreign based winner of the Japan Cup since Luca Cumani trained Alkaseed to victory in 2005.

The race brought a slight upset in the form of Cheval Grand, fifth favourite in the betting, who upstaged the field to win his first Group 1 race.

Drawn in stall one, Cheval Grand, in the hands of the Australian-based Hugh Bowman, broke smartly to sit in fourth place on the rail.

Enjoying a beautiful ground-saving trip stalking an even gallop set by race favourite Kitasan Black.

Swinging off the final bend, Bowman produced his mount between horses. While not instantaneous, the son of Heart’s Cry began to gather momentum on the resolute Kitasan Black as they entered the final furlong. The Yasuo Tomomichi-trained colt stayed on relentlessly to cross the line a length and a quarter in front. Tokyo Yushun (Derby) winning three-year-old Rey De Oro finished a fast closing third with Kitasan Black eventually succumbing to third place a further neck behind.

A thoroughly consistent stayer, Cheval Grand had been placed in three previous Group 1 races including a third place in last year’s Japan Cup. He has now amassed career earnings of in excess of €5,500,000. Cheval Grand and Kitasan Black will likely meet once again in the season finale, the Arima Kinen.

JAPAN CUP

Connections of the second placed Rey De Oro have suggested that the Japan Cup will be his last run of the season.

Aidan O’Brien was responsible for the best placed foreign raider with his charge Idaho. He finished a valiant fifth place despite having to endure a wide draw and a less than favourable trip.

Cheval Grand is out of the Machiavellian mare Halwa Sweet. This success marks a third individual Group 1 winner her as she has already produced the dual Group 1-winning fillies Verxina and Vivlos.

A dual winner of the Group 1 Victoria Mile, Verxina’s talents on the track are remembered more vividly for chasing home Japanese supermare and Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Gentildonna, in all three classics in 2012. Vivlos, was a classic winner in 2016 before a successful trip to the Middle-East for the Dubai Turf in 2017.