Race favorite Masquerade Ball, in his first start in five months, claimed his first G1 title in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on Sunday, November 2 to mark 3-1-0 out of four starts at Tokyo Racecourse.
The Duramente colt won his 2-year-old debut in 2024 followed by another victory in the listed Ivy Stakes (1,800 meters) but finished a disappointing 11th in the year-end Hopeful Stakes (G1, 2,000 meters). He kicked off his 3-year-old season with a first graded win in the Kyodo News Hai (G3, 1,800 meters) in February 2025 and finished third in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000 meters). He was then the runner-up in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400 meters).
Trainer Takahisa Tezuka registered his 10th Japan Racing Association Grade 1 win, and his first since the 2023 Satsuki Sho with Sol Oriens. It was his first Tenno Sho (Autumn) victory although he had won two titles in the Spring Tenno Sho in 2019 and 2020 with Fierement.
Jockey Christophe Lemaire, who partnered with the colt for the first time, landed his third consecutive G1 victory following the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) with Energico on October 26 and the Shuka Sho with Embroidery another week before that.
The French native now has a total of six Tenno Sho (Autumn) titles following wins with Rey de Oro in 2018, Almond Eye in 2019 and 2020 and Equinox in 2022 and 2023. He's also claimed victories in the spring version in 2019 and 2020 with Fierement and Justin Palace in 2023.
Chasing Victory in the Tenno Sho
Masquerade Ball was allowed to settle between horses two-wide in mid-division and around the 10th position through most of the 2,000-meter trip. The Duramente colt was caught behind horses as the field closed in on the leader approaching the final turn and had to wait patiently for horses on his outside to pass. He then found enough space to angle out for a clear run just before the 400-meter pole from which the 3-year-old gradually picked up speed and shot forward once reaching the leader with 100 meters to go.
Masquerade Ball crossed the wire 3/4 length in front of the rest of the field, clocking 1 minute, 58.6 seconds. (Watch the race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)
Comments From the Winning Jockey
"It's great to be standing on this podium again for the third week and I'm delighted to have won the Tenno Sho (Autumn)," Lemaire said. "I was racing behind Tastiera to keep a close eye on him during the trip. Then after the uphill, Masquerade Ball found his own speed and another gear to outrun the rest to the wire. He was amazing."
The jockey continued: "The 3-year-old, while with good potential, was probably still green although he was second in the Derby, but he's matured and become stronger coming into the fall season and maybe could go for another G1 this year — if not he will definitely be among the top horses next season."
Museum Mile Falls Short of Goal
Third favorite Museum Mile (Cristian Demuro) was a fraction slow out of the gate and traveled off the rails further back than mid-pack. Biding his time while moving up along the outside nearing the final turn, Demuro moved the colt further out before the 400-meter pole and found another gear to chase Masquerade Ball from the outside with increasing speed that matched the winner but 3/4 length short with more ground to cover.
Eighth pick Justin Palace (Taisei Danno) saved ground along the rails in mid-division with the eventual winner on his outside and followed that foe out of a brief traffic jam before the uphill stretch. The 6-year-old son of Deep Impact showed a fine turn of speed especially in the last 100 meters to grab third place in the last strides, placing a neck's length behind Museum Mile.
Shirankedo (Takeshi Yokoyama) and Urban Chic (Alexis Pouchin) finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
A Look Ahead
The Queen Elizabeth II Cup, which will be held on Sunday, November 16 at Kyoto Racecourse, is the JRA's next G1 race.
Read the full report, including details on each of the Tenno Sho entrants, on JRA News.
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Author: JRA News
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