2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn): Group 1 Review
Venue: Tokyo Racecourse
Distance: 2000m
Value: ¥651,000,000 (US$4,228,467)
The future of Japan’s middle-distance stocks appears bright after three-year-olds Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile ran the quinella against the older horses in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo on Sunday.
Museum Mile had defeated Masquerade Ball the last time they clashed over 2000m in the G1 Satsuki Sho at Nakayama in April but the longer straight at Tokyo brought out the best in Masquerade Ball, who secured his first Grade 1 success.
It was jockey Christophe Lemaire’s sixth Tenno Sho (Autumn) win in eight years and his second aboard a three-year-old after scoring on eventual world champion Equinox in 2022. It was a first success in the autumn showpiece for trainer Takahisa Tezuka, who won the spring equivalent with Fierement in 2019.
The Winner
Masquerade Ball was sent off as favourite having finished third in the Satsuki Sho and second to Croix du Nord in the G1 Tokyo Yushun, the Japanese Derby.
Part of that was historic: he drew gate seven, from which Equinox (twice) and Do Deuce had won the last three years. However, it was also an acknowledgement that perhaps he had the most upside of any colt among his generation.
Tezuka acknowledged his growth and maturity that had emerged over the summer pre-race. He lined up only four kilograms heavier than his Tokyo Yushun run, but he looked a more furnished horse.
The Jockey
Lemaire is riding in tremendous form currently. Masquerade Ball was his third Group 1 win in three weekends after he landed the Shuka Sho on Embroidery and the Kikuka Sho on Energico.
It was also his sixth Tenno Sho (Autumn) in eight years as Masquerade Ball joined Equinox (twice), Almond Eye (twice) and Rey de Oro as a Lemaire-ridden victor.
There is no Group 1 race next weekend and so Lemaire cannot make it four Group 1 races across four weekends, something he achieved twice previously.
The Trainer
When Sol Oriens won the Satsuki Sho in the Shadai Race Horse colours in 2023, he looked the next big thing for Tezuka.
On Sunday, Sol Oriens brought up the rear of the 14-horse field while his new emerging talent, Masquerade Ball, swept to victory.
It was a 10th JRA Grade 1 win for Tezuka and his 11th international Group 1 victory, given he prepared Win Marilyn to take the Hong Kong Vase in 2022.
The Beaten Brigade
Fourth Shirankedo produced a scintillating run from near last, clocking her final 600m in 31.7 seconds. She may step up in trip for the G1 Queen Elizabeth Cup (2200m) against the mares or drop back to the G1 Mile Championship (1600m), but this effort has her on song to land a first Group 1 title.
Meisho Tabaru, ridden by Yutaka Take, has often opened up a lead at quick tempos. However, Take instead elected to stack up the field, riding him slowly in front – perhaps too slowly. He fought on once he’d been headed and finished sixth but a more enterprising front-running ride may see the G1 Takarazuka Kinen winner land another feature race.
Justin Palace and Urban Chic, ridden by JRA Group 1 debutant Alexis Pouchin, were others who put themselves forward as contenders for the G1 Japan Cup, while Tastiera weakened into eighth after striking the lead early in the straight.
The Quotes
Christophe Lemaire (jockey, Masquerade Ball, 1st): “I was able to settle into a good position, tracking Tastiera, whom I was marking. Masquerade Ball gradually found his rhythm, then picked up again after climbing the hill and showed a good turn of foot all the way to the finish. It was an excellent performance. He still has room for improvement. He ran well to finish second in the Derby, but he has matured and stronger in the autumn. He may run in another Group 1 race this year, but I believe he can continue to perform at the top class next year as well.”
Cristian Demuro (jockey, Museum Mile, 2nd): “He raced from mid-field and showed a good turn of foot in the straight. Rather than producing an instantaneous burst, he is a type that takes time to build up his speed. The 2000m suits him, and he ran a good race.”
Taisei Danno (jockey, Justin Palace, 3rd): “He felt better compared to his work a week ago. The pace became slow, and we ended up in a position where we couldn’t move when I wanted to. Once we switched to the outside, he showed a good turn of foot. He has strong fundamentals, and I believe he will do well in his remaining two races this year.”
Alexis Pouchin (jockey, Urban Chic, 5th): “He jumped well, but his second and third strides were slow, so he ended up at the back. Considering the draw, I took the efficient inside route. I was following the winner, which was an ideal position. He was outpaced at the critical point, but he stayed on well to the end.”
Yutaka Take (jockey, Meisho Tabaru, 6th): “I think he was in the best condition of any time that I have ridden him. The early stages were slow, and he travelled in a good rhythm. Because the pace slowed down, the horses behind me moved up earlier than we expected. It would have been better if we could have entered the straight more smoothly, but it couldn’t be helped. Even so, he kept going until the end and showed his ability.”
Tastiera (Damian Lane, 8th): “He jumped well and we were able to race in a good position near the pace. Because the pace was slow, I asked him for a long sustained run rather than a short burst of acceleration. However, moving early took a toll on him and he was tired at the end. It wasn’t a favourable race shape for him, and he couldn’t show his best.”
The Future
Lemaire confirmed post-race that he had been booked to ride Masquerade Ball in the Japan Cup should he come through his Tenno Sho run in good order.
That sets him up for an exciting match-up against top French gelding Calandagan and Ireland’s Los Angeles, a Group 1 winner at two, three and four. ∎
