Museum Mile, Croix du Nord, and Masquerade Ball were the first three finishers of the Grade 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas in April, and will have a rematch in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse.
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While they each stand an excellent chance to win the $4.32 million Japanese Derby at 1 1/2 miles, there is another respected contender in the rich race in the undefeated Fandom.
The last horse to come out of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and win the Prix du Jockey Club was the Aidan O’Brien-trained St Mark’s Basilica in 2021, O’Brien’s lone victory in the French Derby. But the O’Brien-trained Camille Pissarro, who last raced in the one-mile Poulains and rates among the favorites Sunday for the 1 5/16-mile Prix du Jockey Club is no St Mark’s Basilica.
By Leo Schlink
Chasing a feature race double for John Size at Sha Tin on Saturday (31 May), Hugh Bowman is optimistic Red Lion can prove an upset G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) victory over Voyage Bubble was no fluke when he tackles the HK$4.2 million G3 Lion Rock Trophy Handicap (1600m).
Red Lion famously edged out Voyage Bubble in the FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin last month, scoring by a short head at odds of 89/1 in a result which shocked many – but not Bowman.
By Declan Schuster
The HK$4.2 million G3 Sha Tin Vase Handicap (1200m) will be the first Group race run over the distance this season without the brilliant Ka Ying Rising lining up, leaving several of his regular adversaries, including Frankie Lor’s Lucky With You, eager to capitalise on a rare opportunity in his absence on Saturday afternoon (31 May) at Sha Tin.
Gran Oriente, a 3-year-old Chilean-bred colt, won a Group 1 race at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Club Hipico de Santiago in Chile on Sunday to earn a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, May 28, 2025)
Race 1: #4 Sky Prophet, #5 Ever Smart, #8 Gallant Goody, #6 Joyful Life
Race 2: #6 Ragnarr, #4 Camp Fire, #9 So Awesome, #7 Hoss
Race 3: #1 Beauty Viva, #10 Hakka Radiance, #8 Perfect Pairing, #7 Management Folks
Race 4: #6 Island Buddy, #5 Thunder Prince, #9 Rewarding Twinkle, #3 Sweet Briar
Race 5: #1 Prestige Good, #5 Sight Supreme, #11 Jumbo Fortune, #12 Super Sicario
Voyage Bubble aced his first test racing beyond 1 1/4 miles, rolling to an easy win Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in the Group 1, $1.1 million Champions and Chater Cup and becoming Hong Kong’s second Triple Crown winner and first in 31 years.
Patiently ridden from fifth by James McDonald, Voyage Bubble cruised to the lead while barely being asked with 250 meters left to race and strolled across the wire 3 1/2 lengths to the good, completing the only other local Triple Crown since River Verdon pulled off the feat in 2003-04.
Lake Victoria completed a Group 1 double Sunday at The Curragh for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore, winning the Irish 1000 Guineas by 2 1/4 lengths.
Her facile victory came one race after Moore rode the O’Brien-trained Los Angeles to a hard-fought victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
