Energico Triumphs in the 86th Running of the Kikuka Sho

Race favorite Energico won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), the last leg of the Triple Crown, for his first Grade 1 and second graded victory on Sunday, October 26.

The Duramente colt triumphed in his only start in October 2024 as a 2-year-old. He marked another win in his 3-year-old debut, the Saintpaulia Sho (1 Win Class, 1,800 meters) in February 2025, then extended his winning streak to three in the Aoba Sho (G2, 2,400 meters) in April.

On Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse, trainer Mizuki Takayanagi registered his third Japan Racing Association G1 win after the 2022 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) with Stars on Earth.

French jockey Christophe Lemaire scored his 56th G1 victory only a week after winning the Shuka Sho with Embroidery. 

Lemaire became the first jockey to win the Kikuka Sho in three consecutive years. And now he's tied with Yutaka Take for most wins (five) in the last leg of the Triple Crown — previously having won in 2016 (Satono Diamond), 2018 (Fierement), 2023 (Durezza) and 2024 (Urban Chic).

For Energico, a Strong Finish Seals the Win

Energico was unhurried out of the gate and rated well off the pace further back than mid-division early. He was close to the rear and two wide traveling in front of the stands the first time around. 

Shifting out for a clear path going uphill towards the third corner and making use of the downhill towards the last turn to quickly make ground, Lemaire moved the Duramente colt up to fifth position entering the final straight. Energico didn't waste time to pin the leader before the furlong pole and then easily drew away uncontested to win comfortably by two lengths. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

Energico completed the race in 3 minutes, 4.0 seconds.

"It's hard to believe that I won three in a row in this race!" Lemaire said. "It's a long-distance G1 and very difficult to win at G1 level, but I've been fortunate to have been given rides on such great horses with stamina every year."

Lemaire continued: "Energico also has lots of stamina, and although he is not so sharp out of the gate, we had plenty of time to keep patient and make our way to a good spot. I took the opportunity to grab a good route on the outside and the colt responded well with a lasting finishing speed.

"Winning at Kyoto is special because I reside [in] Kyoto and winning two weeks in a row feels so great!"

The 86th Running of the Kikuka Sho

Eri King (Yuga Kawada) was positioned near the rear early while keeping a close eye on the race favorite. Making a similar move approaching the last corner while stalking the eventual winner, the Kizuna colt was a little slow to pick up speed entering the stretch. But he turned in a terrific turn of foot, especially in the last 100 meters, to outrun all but the winner for second place. 

Excite Bio (Kiwamu Ogino) broke sharply and was forwardly positioned outside a rival and close behind pacesetter G T Adamant (Yuichi Kitamura) in second or third. After being given a breather passing the grand stand the first time around, settling a few lengths further behind the pace, the Rey de Oro colt reemerged to the front approaching the final bend and took command entering the homestretch. 

And while caught by the winner and challenged by other rivals from behind, Excite Bio held on gamely, only beaten for second place by Eri King with 50 meters to go. He finished third, and 3/4 of a length behind the runner-up.

Goltzschtal (Ryusei Sakai) placed fourth and Red Bande (Daisuke Sasaki) was fifth.

A Look Ahead

The Tenno Sho (Autumn), which will be held on Sunday, November 2 at Tokyo Racecourse, is the JRA's next G1 race.

Read the full report, including details on each of the Kikuka Sho entrants, on JRA News.

RELATED:

• Kikuka Sho Preview: A Grueling Test of Stamina
• Embroidery Triumphs in Shuka Sho to Wrap Up Fillies' Triple Crown
• Kikuka Sho: Urban Chic Triumphs in the Final Leg of Japan's Triple Crown

Author: JRA News