October 24, 2024

The Kikuka Sho was a turbulent race, with no front-runner and the lead changing hands multiple times along the way. However, Christophe remained calm and drove Urban Chic to a stunning victory. After the race, I asked Christophe about the key points of the race. "It was a unique development, with the lead horses changing hands like a relay race. Since it was a long 3,000-meter race, I focused on keeping the horse under control after leaving the gate and being careful not to go around the outside. Even when I moved Urban Chic to the outside after passing the finish line on the first lap, he maintained his rhythm. At the 1,000-meter mark, Admire Terra made a move on the outside, but I held back. In the end, I followed jockey Yutaka Take and then moved him to the outside in the straight, where he showed great speed." I watched the race from the broadcast booth on the sixth floor of Kyoto Racecourse, and was able to share with our listeners the "key points to winning the Kikuka Sho" that Christophe had told me about in advance. I was impressed by how he managed the race exactly as he had planned and achieved such a stunning victory.
Urban Chic also won the Best Turnout Award, a double joy for the stablehands. After the race, Christophe expressed his gratitude to the entire team, saying, "I'm relieved. I had to choose a horse to ride from four horses in this race. I think one of the reasons for our victory was the hard work of the stable staff, as well as the hard work of jockey Shinichi Ishigami, who trained the horse in the hurdles." Urban Chic's trainer, Ryo Takei, also expressed his admiration for the horse's race management, saying, "Lemaire's race management was as expected. After the race, many trainers congratulated him and praised him for his excellent riding. While Meisho Tabaru struggled to take the lead in the first half of the race, resulting in a slow pace, Urban Chic made a solid move up the straight, and I was amazed at his calm and determined response when Take made a move towards him at the third corner."

On the day of the Kikuka Sho, jockey Hifumi Abe appeared at the racecourse as a presenter. After the victory ceremony, Kristoff appeared at a special talk show in the paddock, introduced by Vitamin S Oniichan, to thunderous cheers from the audience. During the talk show, Abe commented, "I was amazed at the jockey's core strength," and actually touched Kristoff's abs, commenting, "They're so muscular! They're rock hard!" "Today, I was incredibly inspired by the racecourse. Coming back to Kansai after a long time has given me so much energy. I'm looking forward to working hard toward the next (Olympics)." Kristoff also expressed his joy at meeting Abe, saying, "Judo and horse racing are different sports, but I think we were able to share the excitement of competition. He's a top-level athlete, and even in his gentle expression, I could sense his athletic strength."

There are many important races ahead. Lemaire is scheduled to ride Rabensteel, winner of the All Comers, in the Autumn Tenno Sho. "Rabensteel is a forward-thinking horse, and in his last race he was able to create a wall in front of him and keep him in check. I hope that experience will come in handy in this race," said jockey Lemaire. He will also take the following week off from Japanese racing to ride in the Breeders' Cup in the United States. Delmasotogake has previously traveled to the United States twice, and commented, "I thought he could have done a little better in the last Nippon Television Cup, but I expect he'll improve after this race." He will also ride Rosham Park in the BC Turf and Ecologique in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. "This will be my first time riding at Del Mar, but I've seen the races and have a good feel for the course. I'm looking forward to it because I have some good friends with the jockeys there," he said, expressing his excitement about his first appearance at Del Mar.

Speaking of the Autumn Tenno Sho, which is coming up this weekend, Equinox won back-to-back races in 2022 and 2023. With attention focused on the race again this year, CL by C. Lemaire will be releasing a new Equinox collection on November 14th. Details will be announced soon, so be sure to sign up for the newsletter and stay tuned!