G1 Guide & Tips: Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)

Race Information

History

The Yushun Himba, the Japanese Oaks, is the second jewel in Japan’s Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies. First run in 1938, the 2400m classic at Tokyo Racecourse has served as a proving ground for some of the finest race mares ever produced on Japanese soil.

The race has delivered no shortage of drama. In 2010, Apapane and Saint Emilion hit the line inseparable, producing Japan’s first dead-heat in a Grade 1.

Only six fillies have used the Oaks as a springboard to sweep the entire Triple Tiara – Mejiro Ramonu, Still In Love, Apapane, Gentildonna, Almond Eye and Daring Tact.

The Yushun Himba has also proved a reliable launch pad for international stardom. Gentildonna and Almond Eye each won at the Dubai World Cup meeting across multiple decorated campaigns, while the 2019 heroine Loves Only You collected major prizes in Hong Kong and at the Breeders’ Cup.

Statistics

Top Contenders

STAR ANISE (Drefong x Epice Arome); 3YO

Trainer: Tomokazu Takano
Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama
Biggest Win: G1 Oka Sho (2026)

Star Anise, who won the G1 Oka Sho, the opening leg of the fillies’ Classics, and added the title of Classic winner to her crown as champion two-year-old filly, is by no means an unshakable presence in the Yushun Himba. Her pedigree, from which she has inherited a high level of speed, becomes a major challenge over the 2400m distance. If she can overcome it, it would be clear proof of her quality.

As a two-year-old in winter, she won the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and was named the JRA’s champion two-year-old filly, before producing a decisive two-and-a-half-length victory in the Oka Sho, her first start of her three-year-old season. Since making her debut over 1200m, she has gradually stepped up in distance to 1400m and then 1600m, but in the Oaks, where she will attempt to complete the ‘Double Tiara’, she now jumps straight up to 2400m.

Her sire, Drefong, was the 2016 Eclipse Award Champion Sprint Horse, while her dam, Epice Arome, won the G2 Centaur Stakes over 1200m. Both of her parents were sprinters, and both have produced many sprinters. Kohei Matsuyama also won the G1 Satsuki Sho the week after the Oka Sho, and in the Oaks, he will be aiming to become the first jockey since Yutaka Take to win three consecutive JRA Classics.

ALANKAR (Epiphaneia x Sinhalite); 3YO

Trainer: Takashi Saito
Jockey: Yutaka Take
Biggest Win: Nojigiku Stakes (2025)

In contrast to Star Anise, whose sprinter pedigree raises stamina concerns, Alankar has long been viewed as a filly suited to the Yushun Himba. Her dam, Sinhalite, won the Oaks in 2016. Given that she has continued to produce frustrating performances over a mile, this long-awaited step up to 2400m will test her true ability.

Last September, in the Listed Nojigiku Stakes (1600m), she came from last to pass five rivals and win decisively by three and a half lengths, before starting favourite in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December. However, her lack of cruising speed was exposed, and she was unable to get into the flow of the race, finishing fifth. In both the G2 Tulip Sho and the Oka Sho, she suffered further defeats in what looked almost like repeat performances, unable to make up enough ground from behind, and at this stage, a mile appeared too short for her.

Over the past 10 years, every Oaks winner except one has weighed 450kg or more. For Alankar, who has so far remained in the 430kg range, that is an unfavourable statistic. However, the sole exception was her own dam, Sinhalite, who won the Oaks weighing 422kg.

LAUGHTERLINES (Al Ain x Bangor); 3YO

Trainer: Michihiro Ogasa
Jockey: Damian Lane
Biggest Win: G2 Flora Stakes (2026)

Two starts, two wins at Tokyo, and the fastest final three furlongs in all five of her races. Laughterlines, winner of the G2 Flora Stakes, a trial for the Oaks, is one who has followed a route focused squarely on the Yushun Himba. Her habit of missing the jump remains a troublesome issue, but she possesses a powerful finishing kick capable of making up for it.

In February’s G3 Kisaragi Sho, in a race dominated by on-pace runners, she was the only horse to close from seventh and finish third. The rivals who finished ahead of her that day included Going To Sky (winner of the G2 Aoba Sho) and Lorbeerkranz (fourth in the NHK Mile Cup), while she also got to within a nose of M’s Begin, who is expected to run in the Tokyo Yushun. In the Flora Stakes, her first race against fillies only in her fifth career start, she swept home from the rear as usual and produced a decisive victory that underlined the difference in ability.

The Flora Stakes and Oaks double was completed by Kamunyak last year, but aside from her, Saint Emilion in 2010 is the only other example. However, that does not mean it is an incompatible trial: Win Marilyn, Mozu Katchan and Cecchino all finished second in the Oaks after winning the race, while Uberleben won the Oaks after being beaten in the Flora Stakes.

DREAM CORE (Kizuna x Normcore); 3YO

Trainer: Masahiro Otake
Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Biggest Win: G3 Queen Cup (2026)

Dream Core was a major disappointment in the Oka Sho, but the Yushun Himba looks an ideal stage for her to regain her standing. At Tokyo Racecourse, she is unbeaten in three starts, including her victory in the G3 Queen Cup. Her dam, Normcore, missed the Oaks after being beaten in her trial, while her aunt Chrono Genesis finished third, and Dream Core will be aiming to secure a long-awaited family victory in the race.

Her Queen Cup victory was more decisive than the winning margin of a length and a half suggested, giving no chance to Zippy Tune and Garavogue, who would go on to finish second and third in the Oka Sho. However, Dream Core herself finished ninth in the Oka Sho. But that was her first time travelling to the Kansai region for a race, and perhaps that had an effect as she was unable to show her usual turn of foot.

The trial with the strongest connection to the Oaks is the Oka Sho, but there have been few examples of horses rebounding in the Oaks after finishing fifth or worse in the Oka Sho. Cervinia in 2024 (13th), Tall Poppy in 2008 (8th), Daiwa El Cielo in 2004 (7th) and Smile Tomorrow in 2002 (6th) are the horses since the beginning of the 21st century to have won the Oaks after heavy defeats in the Oka Sho.

On Wednesday, with the Oaks coming up at the weekend, the JRA announced that Kiyoshi Hagiwara, who trained Dream Core, passed away at age 67. He also trained her dam, Normcore, and had an outstanding reputation for caring for horses with fragile legs. His stable has been temporarily placed under the care of trainer Masahiro Otake, with Dream Core set to run in the Oaks as one of his horses.

Expert Analysis & Selections

Masanobu Takahashi

Angle: Oka Sho & Flora Stakes

As trials for the Yushun Himba, the G1 Oka Sho and the G2 Flora Stakes boast overwhelming good records. Of the 15 horses who finished in the top three over the past five years, only three had come from a race other than those two. And of those three, one was Tagano Abby (third in 2025), who won an allowance race after the Flora Stakes.

With that in mind, I want to build around two fillies with sharp finishing kicks: Laughterlines and Alankar. In the Oaks, even closers who enter the straight in 10th or worse often make their way into the placings, and these two should get their chance as well.

Dream Core, unbeaten in three starts at Tokyo, may find 2400m a little too far, but I expect her to rebound and produce a better performance than last time.

Selections: #18 Laughterlines, #3 Alankar, #12 Dream Core, #13 Enne

Homan 

Angle: Trial winners and course specialists

The G1 Oka Sho remains the most significant trial for the Oaks. In the past ten editions, 17 Oaks placegetters were either placegetters of Oka Sho or top four favourites in the Oka Sho. Also, Oka Sho winners produce a record of 8:4-1-0.

Star Anise, this year’s Oka Sho winner, has firmly established herself as the standout filly of her generation, having captured both the Oka Sho and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. On form, she sets the benchmark and is expected to confirm her superiority. However, a key concern is her stamina, as her pedigree lacks a strong staying influence on either side.

Another noteworthy trial winner is Juryoku Pierrot. The daughter of Orfevre captured the Listed Wasurenagusa Sho in April, a race previously won by Loves Only You (2019) and Mikki Queen (2015). She displayed an impressive turn of foot, recording the fastest final 600m in the field. Since switching to turf, she remains unbeaten in two starts and with her full untapped potential she could emerge as a major X-factor.

Course specialists also warrant serious consideration. Laughterlines boasts a perfect record (2/2) at Tokyo, including victory in the key trial, the Flora Stakes. Similarly, Dream Core is unbeaten in three starts at the same track, highlighted by her success in the Queen Cup. Although she was well beaten in the Oka Sho, a return to Tokyo could see her rebound significantly.

Selections: #10 Star Anise, #16 Juryoku Pierrot, #18 Laughterlines, #12 Dream Core 

Shuhei Uwabo

Angle: Flora Stakes runners

With Star Anise the only leading finisher from the Oka Sho in this year’s Yushun Himba, the focus is likely to shift to the Flora Stakes runners.

Enne has made only two starts but still appears to have plenty more to offer, and she showed a closing kick comparable to Laughterlines last time out. Her ability to sustain a long run should suit the demands of Tokyo’s 2400m, and the step up in distance also looks likely to work in her favor. Laughterlines may be opposed by some because of the widest draw, but her performances in the Kisaragi Sho and Flora Stakes suggest that both her middle-distance aptitude and turn of foot are among the best of her generation.

Dream Core, who was well beaten in the Oka Sho, is three-for-three at Tokyo. Her last run can be forgiven as the right-handed track, travel and fast tempo all appeared to work against her. Back on her preferred left-handed course with Christophe Lemaire staying aboard, the conditions are in place for a rebound.

Star Anise has a serious stamina question on pedigree, with Drefong’s progeny having a very limited record over Tokyo 2400m. Still, her class as a back-to-back Group 1 winner and one of the standout fillies of her generation cannot be ignored. She remains a realistic chance to finish in the top three.

Selections: #13 Enne, #18 Laughterlines, #12 Dream Core, #10 Star Anise

Steven Ho

Angle: Sire and stamina

Dream Core is by Kizuna, a sire renowned for imparting stamina to his progeny. This pedigree profile suggests that stepping up to 2400m should not be an issue for him. A prime example is her competitor Enne, also by Kizuna, who recently finished a promising second in the Flora Stakes over 2000m. Having only raced twice in her career, Enne’s potential strongly indicates that a longer distance will unlock further improvement.

The Flora Stakes winner, Laughterlines, is a daughter of Al Ain. During his racing career, Al Ain proved his capabilities over middle-distance trips at 2200m, and his current crop has already produced middle-distance winners this season. With a proven track record over 2000m, Laughterlines commands respect.

Meanwhile, Alankar, a daughter of Epiphaneia, possesses a pedigree that also leans heavily towards stamina. Expected to settle off the pace, she is highly likely to rely on her trademark explosive turn of foot to defeat her rivals

Selections: #12 Dream Core, #13 Enne, #18 Laughterlines, #3 Alankar

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