Danon Decile dominated the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on Sunday, becoming the first horse since Symboli Kris S in 2003 to win the race from the widest draw.
The fourth favourite, ridden by Keita Tosaki, broke cleanly from barrier 17 and sat second from the rear before launching a wide sweeping run into the straight. He took command at the furlong pole, covered his last 600 metres in 32.9 seconds and held off the late challenge of Nebra Disk to win by two and a half lengths. Regaleira was another three quarters of a length back in third.
Tosaki said the draw forced a change of plan.
“To be honest, the widest draw took us by surprise and we were forced to change tactics, but today, the most important factor was to keep him in good rhythm, which he did, fortunately,” he said. “He responded a bit earlier than I hoped but he stayed on to the wire and I’m truly happy that he was able to show his true ability at last.”
Danon Decile’s third Group 1 win ends a long wait. The son of Epiphaneia won the 2024 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and the 2025 Dubai Sheema Classic, then struggled to land another top-level win. He finished fifth in the International Stakes in Britain last summer, then ran third in the Japan Cup, the Arima Kinen, the Osaka Hai and the Takarazuka Kinen.
Race favourite Croix du Nord took a ground-saving trip from the inside barrier but was short of room in the straight and finished fifth. Defending champion Masquerade Ball finished 11th.
Tosaki now has 16 Group 1 wins, two weeks after he won the Shuka Sho on Monroe Walk.
Trainer Shogo Yasuda collected his third JRA Group 1 following the Sprinters Stakes win of Puro Magic. It was the first Tenno Sho for both.
The Japan Cup (2400m) on November 29 and Arima Kinen (2500m) on December 27 loom as the obvious next targets. He ran third in both races last year. ∎
