Japan: Croix du Nord holds off Wurttemberg in Tenno Sho
Croix du Nord became the first Japanese Derby winner in nearly 20 years to win the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan on Sunday.
Steve AndersenMay 03, 2026
Croix du Nord became the first Japanese Derby winner in nearly 20 years to win the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho at Kyoto Racecourse in Japan on Sunday.
Bow Echo easily won the 2000 Guineas on Saturday at Newmarket Racecourse, remaining unbeaten after four starts while looking like an unusual talent.
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Nautical Force will look to build on a striking debut success when he steps up to 2400 metres in Sunday’s (3 May) G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap at Sha Tin, with trainer John Size and rider Karis Teetan confident there is more to come.
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Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Sha Tin.
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If Precise has improved from age 2 to 3, she will almost certainly win the 1000 Guineas on Sunday at Newmarket Racecourse.
Croix du Nord was the champion 2-year-old male in Japan in 2024, the winner of the 2025 Japanese Derby, and a Grade 1 winner earlier this year in the $3.6 million Osaka Hai at Hanshin Racecourse in April. On Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse, Croix du Nord has a different assignment – starting for the first time at two miles in the Grade 1 spring running of the Tenno Sho.
The future-book favorite for Saturday’s Group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide was stuck on the also-eligible list as of Wednesday. Accidental Bid, trained by Ciaron Maher, was 2-1, but is the first alternate. He will draw into the field should there be a scratch among the 16 runners entered in the $712,700 South Australian Derby at about 1 9/16 miles.
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After another phenomenal win on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 26 April), Ka Ying Rising will now spell as trainer David Hayes rests the world’s best sprinter before plotting a path towards Sydney, Australia for the G1 The Everest (1200m).
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Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at Happy Valley.
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Ryan Moore’s World Pool blog: Champions Day