THE final Group 1 for the older horses in Japan, the Arima Kinen produced a terrific finish as the filly Regaleira denied the six-year-old globetrotter Shahryar at Nakayama on Sunday. It was another success for trainer Tetsuya Kimura and jockey Keita Tosaki.

Defending champion and Japan Cup winner Do Deuce was scratched due to lameness in his right foreleg two days prior to the race.

The runners are selected by fan poll and the fans can cast their votes online to select the 10 most popular runners making it a race of the highest quality.

Regaleira’s nose success makes the daughter of Suave Richard the first three-year-old filly to win the race since 1960. Her trainer Kimura was picking up a second victory in three years after Equinox in 2022. She had won the Hopeful Stakes against colts at two, but was winless this season, though she ran against colts in the 2000 Guineas and performed well, when fifth of 17 in the Japanese Derby.

Derby winner Danon Decile, who finished third, took control of the race and led into the home straight, but Regaleira and Shahryar, both owned by Sunday Racing Co Ltd, came to challenge together and powered to the front in the closing stages.

Shahryar briefly had the advantage, but it was Tosaki’s mount who was strongest in the final yards and edged it by a nose. The runner-up was last seen finishing third behind Rebel’s Romance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.

The winning rider said: “I knew the start was going to be key, and she jumped well and settled nicely in the earlier part of the race. The finish was so close, I didn’t know if I had won.

“I want to thank the owner, the stable staff and everyone involved with her for giving me the opportunity today. She has a bright future.”