WITH his scintillating performance in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic still fresh in people’s minds, Equinox was the centre of domestic and international media attention in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen last Sunday when the top-rated horse in the world was sent to post as the overwhelming 1/3 favourite.

The Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen marks the end of the first half of the year’s top-tier races on the JRA’s (Japan Racing Association) fixture list. Group 1 action is set to return on October 1st with the Sprinter Stakes which is the eighth leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

Along with the Arima Kinen, (the final Group 1 of the calendar year), the Takarazuka Kinen is the only other so-called a ‘Grand Prix’ race. The line-up is determined by votes from the fans as to which horses are invited to compete. Equinox received the highest number of the 216,379 votes for the 2023 renewal.

Drawn in stall five, Equinox broke evenly but slowly drifted towards the rear of the field behind a generous early gallop. As the star-studded field consisting of eight individual Group 1 winners hurtled down Hanshin’s back straight, Christophe Lemaire, oozing confidence, began to ease his mount into contention.

Widest of all

At the end of an arduous spring campaign, jockeys opt to stay well away from the rough race-beaten turf close to the rail. Equinox entered the home straight 10 wide and widest of all 17 runners.

Under a hands and heel ride, Lemaire coaxed Equinox to take the lead inside the final furlong. The successful duo passed the line a cozy winner by a neck from Through Seven Seas, with Justin Palace a further length behind in third.

The fast-finishing runner-up, Through Seven Seas, holds a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe entry. Her delighted trainer, Tomohita Ozeki, praised the five-year-old’s performance and commented that the intended trip to France will be dependent on her condition after the race.

The Takarazuka Kinen is historically a race that can produce a shock winner as horses are coming to the end of a busy spring campaign. Only two favourites had won in the previous 10 years.

Equinox’s saunter to victory not only reminded people of his ability but also his versatility. The race tactics employed in the Takarazuka Kinen were in stark contrast to the front-running effort that shocked the world in Meydan.

In the post-race press interview, Christophe Lemaire commented: “Though we were unable to get a good position towards the front due to the fast pace at the beginning, the horse was relaxed in the rear, and I was never worried.

“As the inner track condition was not so good, we made a bid from the outside early and turned wide to the straight where he stretched-out really well.”

Lemaire continued: “Hanshin’s inner course is tricky and the Takarazuka Kinen is a difficult race to win even for champion horses, so I’m very happy. I was able to win the race with the No. 1 horse in the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

“He reminded me again how strong he is. I hope we can win more big races with him in the autumn.”

Equinox is a four-year-old colt by emerging super sire Kitasan Black out of Chateau Blanche (King Halo). She was an accomplished performer in the JRA, registering four wins from 25 starts, including the Group 3 Mermaid Stakes.

His win in the Takarazuka Kinen completed a sequence of four straight Group 1 wins. The elegant bay becomes the 16th horse in history to win both Grand Prix races on the JRA fixture list.

While there has yet to be an official announcement, connections have insinuated that the Group 1 Japan Cup is their star colt’s main autumn target.

The Japan Cup offers the possibility of the mouth-watering clash of Equinox and the ridiculously talented Liberty Island. As a three-year-old and a filly, Liberty Island will have a 4kg weight allowance against Equinox in Japan’s richest race.

Satsuki Sho winner and unlucky Tokyo Yushun runner-up, Sol Oriens, remains another possible runner in the Japan Cup.

The Takarazuka Kinen is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The winner earns an automatic starting berth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.