DURAMENTE was a twice-raced maiden winner at two and a winner of two classics as a three-year-old, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). He had been an intended runner in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) but was denied his attempt through injury.

He could have potentially become just the eighth colt in Japanese racing history to win the coveted Triple Crown and the first since 2011, when dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Orfevre achieved the feat.