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.

Croix du Nord was favored, paying $4.20 in American pools, and won in a more dramatic manner than expected in the $3.66 million race at two miles.

Ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, Croix du Nord closed from fifth in a field of 15 to take the lead in early stretch. Croix du Nord led by more than a length in the final sixteenth before 41-1 Wurttemberg closed strongly to miss by a nose. Wurttemberg finished a half-length in front of Admire Terra, the 5-2 second choice.

“I really didn’t know whether we had won or not and it was a long time waiting for the final results, but I feel relieved that we were the winner,” Kitamura told Japan Racing Association publicists.

Kitamura said Croix du Nord was more eager than expected at times in the marathon.

Croix du Nord “got a little keen but all in all, he proved himself to be a terrific colt with all-round capabilities and power,” he said.

Croix du Nord, a 5-year-old horse by Kitasan Black, won for the seventh time in his 10th start. The spring running of the Tenno Sho was his fourth Grade 1 win. He won the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes as a 2-year-old in 2024, the year he was recognized as champion 2-year-old male; the Grade 1 Japanese Derby in 2025; and the Grade 1 Osaka Hai in April.

Croix du Nord is trained by Takashi Saito for Sunday Racing Co., Ltd.

Sunday’s race was the longest of Croix du Nord’s career.

Last September, Croix du Nord won the Group 3 Prix du Prince d’Orange at 1 1/4 miles at Longchamp, finishing a short head in front of Daryz.

Croix du Nord was later 14th behind Daryz in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at 1 1/2 miles at Longchamp in Paris in October, and fourth by 3 3/4 lengths behind the French shipper Calandagan in the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo Racecourse in November.

Croix du Nord is the first Japanese Derby winner to win the spring running of the Tenno Sho since Meisho Samson in 2007. Meisho Samson was second by a head in the 2008 spring running of the Tenno Sho in the final year of his career.

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