G1 Yushun Himba

Sunday's G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) result represented a lot of firsts, with Juryoku Pierrot (Orfevre) claiming Classic laurels. Seina Imamura, Japan's Best Newcomer Jockey in 2022, became the first Japanese female jockey to win a JRA Group 1--it was her third attempt--as well as the first to ride in and win a Japanese Classic race. She follows in the footsteps of jockey Rachel King, who claimed the G1 February Stakes aboard Costa Nova (Lord Kanaloa) in 2025 and was the first woman to win a top tier race in...

German-born Andrasch Starke became the oldest winning jockey in the history of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as the 51-year-old partnered Kamunyak to a last-gasp victory in the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara at Tokyo on Sunday. It was a first Group 1 success on Japanese soil for Starke, who has been crowned Germany's champion jockey on 10 occasions and is perhaps best known internationally for his association with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream. Maintaining...

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:40, TATTERSALLS IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS-G1, €290,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), City Of Memphis (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Jaliyah (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Tamam Desert (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: If it rains a lot, last year's champion Lake Victoria could be vulnerable with...

The G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) sees G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) heroine Embroidery (Admire Mars) face 17 rivals in her quest to nab the second jewel of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Tiara. A winner of the G3 Queen Cup over 1600 metres in February, the Silk Racing colourbearer will be testing the waters beyond 1800 metres for the first time in her young career. Tied in the lead-up betting markets with Oka Sho third Lynx Tip (Kitasan Black), Embroidery was only a neck in front of the re-opposing...

Friday, Curragh, post time: 18:55, HEIDER FAMILY STABLES GALLINULE STAKES-G3, €36,000, 3yo, 10fT Field: Emit (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Reyenzi (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Shackleton (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Thrice (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Tiberius Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Dawn Spirit (Ire) (Australia {GB}). TDN Verdict: Aidan O'Brien runs last year's G3 Zetland Stakes runner-up Shackleton in the latest Derby trial he bids to annex during a stellar period for the stable, but there is a strong case to be made for Reyenzi following his impressive five-length Navan...

Katsumi Yoshida's Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is aiming to add a second Classic to her resume in Sunday's G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks). Facing off against 17 other fillies, the daughter of the three-time winner Bloukrans (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) will leave from gate seven under Keita Tosaki. She defeated her G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies conqueress Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and Listed Elfin S. heroine Light Back (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over 1600 metres back in April. If she prevails on Sunday,...

The G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) was not without its challenges for last month's G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) as she was trying a distance beyond a mile for the first time, but ultimately the 2400 metres held no fears, as she strolled home a sixth-length winner in 2:23.10 in Tokyo. Sunday Racing's imperious dame became the 17th filly--following her paternal half-sister Stars On Earth (Jpn) in 2022--to win the first two legs of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown. It was the largest winning margin...

Chances for a 2022 Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown are alive and well after G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas heroine Stars On Earth (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) delivered the Classic double in the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) for Shadai Race Horse and trainer Mizuki Takayanagi at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday. Sent off as the 5-1 third choice, the bay broke well from the widest gate in 18, but was stuck wide as the field strung out in the wake of Nishino Love Wink (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Sitting in eighth, Christophe Lemaire had...

Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn})'s win in the G1 Yushun Himba at Tokyo on Sunday puts her in an exclusive club as only the second filly to take the first two legs of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Tiara while undefeated alongside Miss Onward (Jpn) (Hard Sauce {GB}), who completed that feat in 1957. Bet down to 60 cents on the dollar, the heavy chalk drifted towards the fence from the rail and, although bumped a bit in close quarters, settled in the back third of the 18-strong field into the...