Yushun Himba: Kamunyak Snatches the 2nd Jewel of the Fillies' Triple Crown

Fourth favorite Kamunyak used a powerful closing kick from behind to win the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), the second jewel of the Fillies' Triple Crown, on Sunday, May 25.

It was her second graded and first G1 victory. 

The great grandchild of 1995 Japanese Oaks victor Dance Partner, Kamunyak broke her maiden in her debut start (Chukyo, 2,000 meters) in August 2024. 

After a fourth-place finish in the Elfin Stakes (Kyoto, Listed, 1,600 meters) in February, the Black Tide filly claimed the Flora Stakes (Tokyo, G2, 2,000 meters) on April 27, earning the ticket to her first Classics' challenge. 

Trainer Yasuo Tomomichi pocketed his first Oaks victory and 23rd Japan Racing Association G1 title.

Jockey Andrasch Starke, who has been riding under a short-term license since March 9, landed his much-awaited JRA G1 title in his 25th challenge at that level — his first was in the 1997 Japan Cup (Caitano, fourth place). 

The German jockey celebrates the milestone in becoming the oldest Oaks-winning jockey at the age of 51 years, 4 months and 22 days.

Kamunyak's Path to Victory in the Yushun Himba

At Tokyo Racecourse, breaking from stall No 15, Kamunyak was reserved in mid-division but dropped back a bit, turning the last corners before making a wide sweeping move into the straight.

The daughter of Black Tide began to uncoil an impressive run from there. She drew even with Arma Veloce (jockey Mirai Iwata's ride) 200 meters out. Then, with another gear, she dug in well in the last strides to notch the title. (Watch the full race on the JRA's YouTube channel.)

"The pace was not so fast in the second half of the race and before the homestretch, I moved to the outside where she responded very well," Starke said after the 2,400-meter race. "She's an amazing horse — she just won four weeks ago.

"It was important that she was very relaxed today, she put in a sound performance and her ability was amazing."

Starke then spoke about his thrilling achievement on Sunday.

"For me, it has been a dream to win a G1 race in Japan and I have no words," Starke commented. "My dream came true."

Vying for Victory in the Yushun Himba

Looking to turn the tables this time, Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) runner-up Arma Veloce broke smoothly from the innermost stall and sat on the rails in tandem with Oka Sho winner Embroidery (Christophe Lemaire) up to the final corner. 

After launching her bid and splitting horses before the 200-meter pole to emerge as the leader, the 2024 Best Two-Year-Old Filly was soon caught by the eventual winner and rallied in the deep stretch. Arma Veloce put up a stubborn fight but surrendered the win at the wire by a head. And she was forced to settle for second place once again. 

Tenth choice Tagano Abby (Yusuke Fujioka) was off slow and unhurried trailing in the far rear of the 18-horse field. While most of the runners fanned out at the last turn, the chestnut filly smoothly took an inner route in the stretch, launching the fastest drive over the last three furlongs (33.5 seconds). She ran strongly to place third, finishing 1¼ lengths behind the runner-up.

Paradis Reine (Yuji Tannai) was fourth, missing out on third place by a neck's length. Lynx Tip (Mirco Demuro) finished fifth.

After a good break, race favorite Embroidery was eased back to settle between horses in seventh to eighth from the front. But after hitting the straight in a good striking position, the Oka Sho victor came out of the uphill climb with nothing left and placed a disappointing ninth. 

A Look Ahead

The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is the JRA's next G1 race on June 1 at Tokyo Racecourse. 

Read the full report, including details on each of the Yushun Himba entrants, on JRA News.

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Author: JRA News