Horse To Follow:
Eri King
1st of 5, 2YO Open Class
2000m (Turf), Chukyo
Monday September 21
Sometimes it is the fact that a horse does everything right and wins that is impressive. Then there are occasions when a young horse does plenty wrong and wins anyway that signals class and potential.
Eri King’s second career victory is a great example: the colt’s half length victory against four rivals in the two-year-old Open Class Nojigiku Stakes as 1.4 favourite may have been expected and there was no big margin, but there was a lot to like with a view to the future.
Beginning slowly, Eri King momentarily resisted jockey Yuga Kawada’s instructions as they approached the first corner before eventually settling in fourth. In the home stretch he took the lead early and held off a strong late charge from Giovanni.
Eri King (Kizuna x Youngstar)
— F.S.horse-watch (@fshorsewins) September 21, 2024
Chukyo 8R NOJIGIKU STAKES
Turf 2000m 2:02:8(33.4) pic.twitter.com/8LDQtjxk6F
It would however be fair to say that this was not Eri King’s ‘best performance’. The colt’s weight had increased by 14 kilograms since his last race and his immature temperament was apparent in the run, making it clear that he is far from a finished product: more of an unpolished gem than a refined one.
Yuga Kawada praised Eri King after the race: “When he gets into a rhythm, he runs well.” But the champion jockey also pointed out areas for improvement: “He’s going through a bit of a rebellious phase, so he showed some resistance at the gate and the first corner. His mental and physical growth is still ongoing, but as he matures, I believe he will run even better.”
Eri King was purchased by Umamusume owner Susumu Fujita for 220 million yen at the 2023 Select Sale. Fujita is also known as the owner of Forever Young, who placed third in the G1 Kentucky Derby, and Shin Emperor, who finished third in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. In recent years Fujita has rapidly expanded his bloodstock interests, becoming one of the most notable owners in racing.
Eri King’s debut race took place at Kyoto on June 23, the day of the Takarazuka Kinen, in a Newcomer race that is often referred to as the ‘Legendary Newcomer’ by fans due to the high number of promising horses that gather each year. Despite the rainy conditions, he won by a length and a half, coming from the outside.
Eri King is sired by Kizuna, whose son Justin Milano won the 2024 G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas). Kizuna currently holds the top spot in this year’s JRA leading sire rankings.
Eri King is out of the Australian mare Youngstar, a G1 Queensland Oaks winner who was trained by Chris Waller. After her retirement Youngstar she was exported to Japan, with Eri King her first foal. Youngstar’s half-sister Funstar, also trained by Waller, won the G1 Flight Stakes in 2019.
Susumu Fujita, who attended the race at Chukyo Racecourse, said, “I hope he continues to grow slowly,” expressing his intent to take a patient approach while looking toward the future.
On the same day Fujita also secured victory with Young Scarlet, a three-year-old colt that took his record to two wins from two starts.
As for the origin of Eri King’s name? It was revealed that it was inspired by the football club owned by CyberAgent, the company founded by Fujita. The name comes from the nickname of Brazilian striker Erik, who plays for FC Tokyo, and in the winner’s circle, Fujita was seen mimicking Erik’s goal celebration.
Eri King’s third dam, User Friendly, was a famous British filly who won the Oaks and St Leger in 1992 and was named Cartier Horse of the Year that same year. This world-class bloodline is now aiming for classic victories in Japan.
Future Outlook: Though still rough around the edges, Eri King remains a Classics prospect.
