Equinox , the world’s top-rated horse, certainly validated that credential with smooth domination of the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) Oct. 29 at Tokyo Racecourse.
The 4-year-old son of Kitasan Black not only won by 2 1/2 lengths from Justin Palace but shaved 0.9 second off the course record, finishing 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 1:55.2 over good to firm turf.
In the process, he won his fifth straight race, all at the grade or group 1 level, and became just the third horse after Symboli Kris S and Almond Eye , to win back-to-back editions of the Tenno Sho (Autumn).
Christophe Lemaire was along for the ride, winning the race for the fifth time, also including Almond Eye’s two triumphs.
Equinox did it with aplomb. He and all 10 rivals broke smoothly from the stubby chute at the end of the grandstand closest to Mount Fuji and Lemaire set up shop third behind pacesetting Jack d’Or and long shot Gaia Force.
Jack d’Or had enough as the field turned for home with 500 meters to run, including the uphill part of the stretch, leaving Gaia Force to enjoy a brief lead. By the 300-meter mark, Lemaire gave Equinox a reminder tap and the outcome was a fait accompli.
Justin Palace finished second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Prognosis in third. Danon Beluga , with Joao Moreira up, was fourth while Jack d’Or was the last one home.
Equinox’ rivals weren’t pushovers. Justin Palace won the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) at 3,200 meters (about 2 miles) in March. Prognosis was second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong in April, behind only Romantic Warrior, who went on to win the W.S. Cox Plate (G1) in Australia a day before the Tenno Sho.
Danon Beluga was third in the 2022 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and second to the ageless Nord North in the Dubai Turf (G1) in March. Do Deuce, who finished seventh, won the 2022 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby-G1).
Lemaire said he was confident in Equinox’ ability to win but even he seemed surprised by the ease with which the colt accomplished his task.
“First of all, I am relieved to have been able to show the world, which I know was watching how the race favorite would run, that he is indeed a deserving colt to be named the highest-rated colt,” Lemaire said. “Although there was much pressure coming into such a prestigious race as favorite, I was confident knowing what he is capable of.”
The jockey added, “He’s not exactly what you call a horse with incredible speed but he was able to keep up with today’s rapid pace and get into another gear at the end. But I was actually surprised when I realized that we had won in a record. He is a versatile horse that can run from any position, stay calm during the race and make use of his speed at the finish.”
Lemaire, who is in a hot battle with Yuga Kawada atop the Japanese jockey standings, said Equinox is capable of more.
“He can run at longer distances, such as when he won the Arima Kinen (G1),” he said.
The Arima Kinen, at 2,500 meters (100 meters more than 1 1/2 miles) on Christmas Day, was the second of his five-race string, following on from the Tenno Sho (Autumn). He went from that global stardom in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) March 25 at Meydan Racecourse, the race that vaulted him into top spot in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings.
He returned to Japan to win the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at Hanshin Racecourse June 25.
Having passed up the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) and the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T), a tilt at the Japan Cup Nov. 26 now seems a likely course.
Equinox, out of the King Halo mare Chateau Blanche , was bred by Northern Farm and carries the colors of Silk Racing Co., Ltd.
