Tokyo Yushun winner Croix du Nord returned to Ritto Training Center this week, beginning his campaign aimed at overcoming the most famous hoodoo in world racing: Japan’s inability to win the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in Paris.
Croix du Nord, who won the G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m) – the Japanese Derby – at his last run on June 1, is one of four Japanese horses aiming at the ‘Arc’ at Longchamp in October. Last year’s 12th Shin Emperor is set to challenge again, Tenno Sho (Spring) runner-up Byzantine Dream remains a likely runner while three-year-old Alohi Alii will attempt to put himself forward as a contender in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (2000m) at Deauville on August 16.
“Croix du Nord has been resting at Northern Farm Shigaraki since the Tokyo Yushun,” trainer Takashi Saito told Idol Horse. “We have been gradually picking up the pace and returning to Ritto is the next step to prepare him for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Given his current condition, I am confident that he can win the Arc.
“I am taking him with the intention of winning and I think he’s still getting better and better, which he needs to do if he is to win the Arc. It’s not a case of him still being green, I think he is mature as a racehorse but I think he can still improve on what he has done so far. With the ability he has, I personally think he can be a flagbearer for Japanese racing, just like Equinox was.
“It’s still hot at the training center, so we will just take our time getting him in the right shape before heading to France.”
Croix du Nord will take a different path to the Arc than all other previous Japanese contenders. He will contest the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange (2000m), a race that has been restricted to three-year-olds since 1994 but that will be opened to older horses again this year. It will also be run on September 14, a week before the traditional Arc trials, having previously been run a week closer to the Arc.
However, the three-week lead-in to the Arc on October 5 is a secondary consideration for Saito, who believes that a 2000m hit-out will have Croix du Nord in better shape for his grand final.
“I wanted him to have experience at Longchamp, but I didn’t want to run him over 2400 metres,” Saito said. “I think it would have been a tough ask to go to 2400m at his first run since early June and so 2000m is an ideal point for him before heading into the main event. It just happens that it has all worked out for us this year.”
Saito, 42, is one of a number of young trainers striking success in Japan; Shogo Yasuda, Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Haruki Sugiyama and Hiroyasu Tanaka are among other Japanese Group 1-winning trainers in their 40s.
“I felt wonderful when Croix du Nord won the Derby, mostly relieved at first – really relieved,” Saito said. “Last year, Shogo Yasuda – who is the same age as me – won the Derby with Danon Decile and I felt like I was trailing him. We got even in the Tokyo Yushun and maybe I can leap ahead in the Arc.
“I first watched the Derby when I was in middle school in 1996 when Fusaichi Concorde won. He had the same number as Croix du Nord, number 13. Just before the race, they had a video reliving past winners and it suddenly reminded me of that Derby. To think they will be seeing Croix du Nord in the future is amazing.”
Saito will saddle up his second Arc runner after Chrono Genesis finished seventh to Torquator Tasso on heavy ground in 2021. Yuichi Kitamura, who rode Chrono Genesis throughout her career but missed the Arc ride due to injury, has also been Croix du Nord’s regular rider and will make his first appearance in the race.
The trainer admits that he has dreamed about what it will be like to land the race for Japan.
“It would be the first time for a Japanese horse to win it and it would be truly wonderful, for sure,” Saito said. “Many have tried but it’s been so difficult for us for so many reasons and Europe’s horses are just so strong. There have been a lot of close calls so hopefully the luck falls our way. I have definitely imagined what it will be like to win. We will be trying our very hardest.”
Croix du Nord will depart for Paris later this month. ∎
