October 29, 2025

- In the Shuka Sho, the pace seemed quite calm, especially from the first corner to the second corner. Yutaka Take on Erica Express was in the lead, and from there the other horses took their positions, with the first 1000m being completed in 59.4 seconds. Looking at the clock, it wasn't a slow pace.

(Christophe) Yes. The time was normal, but while I was riding, I felt like I wasn't very fast. I was riding relaxed in the first half, so when I was trying to move up in position, I was able to maintain my rhythm without getting excited or straining. When I got to second place and was next to Yutaka, I was calm and my breathing was regulated. That's why I thought at that moment, "This might be a win."


-I see. Watching the race footage, announcer Miura said, "Embroidery is trying to get alongside Erica Express here!!" and the crowd erupted. In reality, they had naturally improved their position without forcing themselves. At that point, they were in the ideal position to make a move.

(Christophe) Yes. And luckily, the jockey in front of him, Yutaka Take, set the pace perfectly.


That's right. Yutaka's "internal clock" is amazing.

(Christophe) Yutaka's riding style was perfect for a horse like Erica Express. I rode her when she made her debut, and she's a little high-strung and a very powerful horse. But with Yutaka, she was able to run in a good rhythm and looked very comfortable.


-As they entered the straight, Erica Express took the lead. To be honest, did you think at that point that you might not be able to catch her?

(Christophe) Yes, I thought so for a moment (laughs). I wondered if she could catch up. But Embroidery stepped up a gear in the straight and a half. And for Erica Express, the distance was probably a little too long after all. All her previous wins had been over 1600m. So Embroidery was able to pull away at the very end.


- Erica Express has only won over a mile distance so far. Her debut race with Christophe as her runner-up, and the Fairy Stakes, were both 1600m.

(Christophe) That's right. Erica Express's Oaks was obviously long. But I think the reason she was able to come in second this time (in the Shuka Sho) was entirely thanks to Yutaka-san's tactics. He kept her in good condition and focused until the end.


-If the embroidery had been further back in the straight line, would it have been impossible to reach it?

(Christophe) Yes. If I had been four or five lengths behind, I don't think I would have made it in time. So it was the right decision to move early on the home stretch. I think that was the right timing.


-That was a perfect decision.

(Christophe) I hadn't originally planned for that type of race. If during the race I think, "Now is the time to make a move," I make the decision immediately. That's a jockey's job. If you think too much, it's too late. If you feel it, you act immediately. That worked out well again this time. "Just Go For It" (laughs).


- It was just like when you won the Japanese Derby with Rey de Oro. At that time too, your decision to move up in position on the far side of the track was superb, and Embroidery's movements this time reminded me of that.

(Christophe) Yes, that time too, I was able to move up in position naturally and win without any difficulty. It was a similar feeling this time too.

Kikuka Sho Energiko ~ Masquerade Ball ~ Boutique [Part 2]
Let's move on to Energeco's victory in the Kikuka Sho. This was his second consecutive G1 victory. It was raining on the day. Were you concerned about the condition of the track?

(Christophe) No, I was actually confident. The conditions were almost the same as when he won the Aoba Sho. He runs with a low stance, so he was able to run smoothly even on a bad track. I also thought he could handle the 3,000 meter distance. He's the type of horse that has good stamina.


-At the joint press conference, you said you were a little worried about going downhill in Kyoto.

(Christophe) Yes, as I said earlier, this horse runs low. But there were no problems there either. He was able to keep his balance smoothly from the third to fourth corner.


-That's true, and you still had plenty of room to maneuver after passing the fourth corner. How was your physical condition?

(Christophe) Yes. And his body weight this time was -12kg, which is almost the same as when he won the Aoba Sho. In other words, he was in ideal condition for that time.


-I see. So it all just clicked.

(Christophe) Yes. The horse's condition, the track and the conditions were all right. All I had to do was ride perfectly (laughs).


Lemaire was quite far from the front in the first and second corners. When Yutaka made a move on the backstretch, he marked him and made a move.

(Christophe) Yes, that's right. The moment he made his move, I was able to smoothly move out and follow him. By following him, I was able to get ahead without wasting energy. It also makes it easier to read the pace. There are still 400 meters left after the downhill in Kyoto, so if I move out too early, I'll end up using my legs for nearly 800 meters. So the right thing to do was to hold back and let him "guide me."


-It was totally "stalking" (laughs)

(Christophe) Yes, exactly. (Laughs) The race unfolded almost exactly the same as last year's. Last year, I was able to win with Urban Chic, right behind Admire Terra, ridden by Yutaka.


- I'm grateful to jockey Yutaka Take. He reads the pace perfectly. He was able to stay next to Erica Express in the Shuka Sho.

(Christophe) Yes. When an opportunity comes, it's important to grab it and not miss it.


-So, what kind of G1 conditions do you think would suit this horse? Of course, you'll have to discuss this with trainer Mizuki Takayanagi and Silk Racing.

(Christophe) In my opinion, 2,400 meters is the best distance for him. That horse isn't the type with explosive power, but rather the type that uses his legs gradually and for a long time. The Arima Kinen might be good. I also think the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be interesting. He's not a big horse weighing over 500kg, and he's the type that can perform well on soft ground.


-That's something to look forward to! Both of these G1 wins were by horses belonging to Silk Racing. Everyone was really happy at the Silk Racing party last week. The atmosphere there was amazing.

(Christophe) That's true. I have a special feeling for that club. I've ridden great horses like Almond Eye and Equinox in those colors (light blue and red). I'm really happy to have won another G1 race in those colors.

-These past two weeks, your wins in Kyoto must have been special. It must have been very moving to win two G1 races in your hometown.

(Christophe) Of course. Kyoto is the city where I live, so winning a G1 race in my hometown is something special. I'm very happy.


-So, this weekend you'll be in Tokyo, a stage you're very fond of. The topic is Masquerade Ball. This horse is owned by Shadai Race Horse, and its representative, Teruya Yoshida, is an important person to you as well, isn't he?

(Christophe) That's right. It's been a while since I've ridden a good horse from Shadai, and this horse definitely has great potential. He came in second in the Japanese Derby, just behind Croix du Nord. That was a fantastic performance. He's getting better and better with each race.


-You rode in the final workout, how is your condition?

(Christophe) Very good. He's also grown a lot mentally. I heard he used to be a bit cranky, refusing to enter the track and getting excited, but when I rode him the other day he was very calm and very professional. If he's in the same mental state on the day, I think he'll be able to run a very good race. He handled the 2400m in his last race well, but I think he'll do well at 2000m as well. He's the type of horse that takes a while to accelerate in the straights, so I think the long straights at Tokyo are ideal.


- In the video, it looked like he was drifting a little to the left in the straight, but how was it in training?

(Christophe) It's true that at the beginning of training he seemed to lean a little inward, but towards the end he was able to run straight. It's not a big problem. He's still a young horse, so I think that will be corrected naturally as he gains experience. After the rest, he'll be maturing as we head into the fall.

-Finally, let's move on to the topic of the boutique. It hasn't even opened yet, but the other day jockey Kenichi Ikezoe visited for an interview for Kenmonroku. I also had the chance to visit last week, and it was a really lovely space. What is your favorite spot in the store?

(Christophe) That's right. Hmm. My favorite places are all of them (laughs). It's hard to narrow it down to just one. I think the greatest appeal of this cafe and boutique is that it allows you to experience a different expression of horse racing. The cafe gives you the feeling of being at the racetrack, and the second floor has an atmosphere that makes you feel like you've entered the "backstage," the world behind the scenes.


-Indeed, the first floor had a trophy display and a cafe counter, where the owner prepared coffee and sweets for us. The upper floors were like a jockey's waiting room, with clothes and accessories lined up, and a table by the window where you could have a private meeting. I thought it was a really unique layout.

(Christophe) Yes, that was the aim. We wanted each floor to have a different atmosphere.


-The official opening is scheduled for November 6th, right? Will jockey Yutaka Take also be involved in the ribbon-cutting ceremony?

(Christophe) Yes. The ribbon-cutting ceremony won't be on the opening day, but we are planning media interviews and press releases. We will be sending out the news that a new concept boutique has been born, not only in Japan but also overseas.


-Indeed, it's not just a horse racing goods shop, but a boutique space. I've never seen anything like this in Japan or overseas. It's a big challenge.

(Christophe) Yes, it's a real challenge. I hope all the fans enjoy dressing up for horse racing. I'm looking forward to what happens next. I also want the CL by C. Lemaire boutique to evolve along with horse racing.