Monroe Walk Shines in Shuka Sho, June Velocity Completes 3-Peat
Monroe Walk remains undefeated with a stunning victory in the Shuka Sho, while June Velocity leads the Tokyo High-Jump for the third consecutive year.
Undefeated Streak Continues for Monroe Walk
On October 18th, the Shuka Sho took place in Kyoto, showcasing seventeen talented three-year-old fillies competing over 2000 meters on turf. Emerging victorious was the favorite, Monroe Walk, expertly ridden by jockey Keita Tosaki.
After starting in fifth position, Monroe Walk made a remarkable surge in the home stretch, overtaking Gallaborg to win the race by a neck. She clocked in at an impressive 1:56.1, setting a new record for the Shuka Sho and matching the course record for Kyoto’s 2000-meter turf.
This victory marks her fifth consecutive win since her debut, making her the fourth horse in history to achieve an undefeated Shuka Sho title, following in the footsteps of legends like Fine Motion and Daring Tact.
Praise for the Champ
Monroe Walk, sired by Kizuna, is trained by Hiroyuki Uemura at the Ritto stable. After experiencing a setback due to a fracture and undergoing a lengthy recovery, she returned with a bang, also winning the Yagumo Tokubetsu, Kamomejima Tokubetsu, and Rose Stakes prior to her Shuka Sho triumph.
Jockey Tosaki expressed his excitement, stating, 'Winning a G1 without losing is a testament to her ability,' closing with his signature phrase, 'Very, very horse.'
Unfortunately, Sweet Happiness was reported to have pulled up in the fourth corner due to left forelimb lameness but was unharmed, as confirmed by the JRA.
Tokyo High-Jump Sees Historic Win
In Tokyo, the 9th race featured the Tokyo High-Jump, a prestigious steeplechase graded stakes event over 3110 meters. Veteran stallion June Velocity, at eight years old, claimed victory for the third consecutive year, a first in the history of this race.
Ridden by jockey Jun Takada, June Velocity took early control, leading from the start and finishing three lengths ahead of the runner-up, Meiner Gron, with a time of 3:23.2.
Takada shared insights on June Velocity's success, attributing his consistent performance in Tokyo to the horse's unwavering strength and spirit.
Calandagan Preparing for Japan Cup
Across the sea, the British Champion Stakes at Ascot featured a notable twist. Ombudsman emerged victorious, reversing the previous year’s outcome in which Calandagan claimed the win.
Calandagan finished second, having won the Japan Cup the previous year. Despite not securing the top spot this time, the five-year-old gelding is still scheduled to compete in the upcoming Japan Cup on November 29th.
Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard noted the challenges posed during the race, citing a slow start for Calandagan but remains hopeful for the future race, aiming for a remarkable encore in Japan.
Looking Ahead
As the racing scene prepares for the next challenge, the Kikuka Sho at Kyoto is on the horizon, set for October 25th. Fans are eager to see if Monroe Walk can maintain her flawless performance.
