Fenomeno wins Japan's Tenno Sho for second consecutive year

Fenomeno won the spring running of the $2,695,686 Tenno Sho for the second consecutive year Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan, a victory that confirms his status among Japan’s leading older horses.

Fenomeno was fifth in the 2012 Japan Cup but had a limited campaign in 2013 because of tendon inflammation. After winning the 2013 Tenno Sho, Fenomeno made one more start, finishing fourth in the Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen last June.

On Sunday, Fenomeno (10-1) won the Grade 1 Tenno Sho over two miles on firm turf by a neck over Win Variation, the 5-1 third choice. Hokko Brave, a 100-1 outsider, finished third in the field of 18.

Kizuna, the 3-5 favorite, finished fourth, closing well to finish a neck and a nose behind the winner. Gold Ship, who won consecutive Grade 1 races in the Japanese St. Leger and Arima Kinen in late 2012, finished seventh. Red Cadeaux, an 8-year-old gelding who has raced in England, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, and Dubai in the last year, finished 14th.

Fenomeno, a 5-year-old horse, by Stay Gold, races for Sunday Racing Co. and trainer Hirofumi Toda. Masayoshi Ebina rode Fenomeno in the Tenno Sho.

Fenomeno has won 7 of 14 starts. The two spring runnings of the Tenno Sho are his only Grade 1 wins.

Fenomeno was second in the 2012 Japanese Derby. Win Variation was second in the 2011 Japanese Derby.