Star Filly Regaleira Makes History in Thrilling Arima Kinen

[Wandering Eyes]

Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) became the first three-year-old filly to win the G1 Arima Kinen for 64 years as she led home a one-two for owners Sunday Racing, narrowly getting the better of Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) after a pulsating duel the length of the Nakayama straight.

The fifth betting choice to double her Group 1 tally in the Arima Kinen, the fan-voted 'Grand Prix' of Japan, Regaleira was winless since her victory in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, also at Nakayama, in December last year. Without the services of regular rider Christophe Lemaire, who chose to ride race favourite Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), the filly was ridden for the first time on Sunday by Keita Tosaki, the jockey who guided Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a memorable success 10 years ago.

Regaleira had four rivals ahead of her as the 15-strong field went by the stands for the first time, including this year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who dictated a slow pace in an attempt to rediscover his best form, having finished only sixth behind Urban Chic when they met in October's G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger).

Second betting choice Danon Decile was over a length clear on the home turn where the eventual winner moved out from behind horses to get a clear run, with Shahryar soon looming up on her outside after his swift move from mid-division to take closer order. Danon Decile was still in front with 50 metres to run, but it was all about Regaleira and Shahryar where it mattered as the pair went by the line in unison, with the filly ultimately being announced as the winner by a nose. Danon Decile was beaten another half a length in third, with this year's G1 Osaka Hai winner Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in fourth, ahead of the consistent Group 1 performer Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Urban Chic.

Trainer Tetsuya Kimura was also celebrating his second Arima Kinen win after that of the outstanding Equinox (Jpn) in 2022, while Tosaki was quick to thank connections for the opportunity to ride Regaleira, who started this season by finishing sixth in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and fifth in the Tokyo Yushun. On her most recent start she'd finished fifth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, having met trouble in the straight.

“I knew a good break was crucial,” said Tosaki. “Although we might have been a tad late, we were able to sit in a good position and maintain a smooth run in good rhythm. She responded well but the competition was so strong. I couldn't tell at all crossing the wire who'd won. I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the connections of the filly for giving me the opportunity to ride her today.”

 

【 Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (G1), Nakayama, 2500m, 3yo&up, approx US$ 7.23m】

Winner: Regaleira(JPN)
J: Keita Tosaki
T: Tetsuya Kimura
Sire: Suave Richard
Dam: Roca#有馬記念 は、#レガレイラ が優勝！！ pic.twitter.com/TaAUN9Af5C

— JRA World Racing (@JRA_WorldRacing) December 22, 2024

 

Pedigree Notes

Regaleira, a member of the first crop of the G1 Japan Cup and G1 Osaka Hai hero Suave Richard (Jpn), is out of the winning Harbinger (GB) mare Roca (Jpn), who produced her best effort when finishing third in the G3 Daily Hai Queen Cup. She is the dam of three winners from four runners, with the others including the G3 Mainichi Hai third Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Her two-year-old filly by Cheval Grand (Jpn), Serra do Pilar (Jpn), is unplaced in two starts in Japan.

Roca, in turn, is out of the Dance In The Dark (Jpn) mare Land's Edge (Jpn), a half-sister to none other than Deep Impact (Jpn), the Japanese Triple Crown winner who quickly rose to become one of the world's most influential stallions. Land's Edge also features as the second dam of the aforementioned Urban Chic through her daughter Edgy Style (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), as well as this year's G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) heroine Stellenbosch (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) through another daughter in Bloukrans (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}).

Both Deep Impact and Land's Edge are out of the blue hen Wind In Her Hair (Ire), herself a Group 1 winner in Germany and runner-up in the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

 

Sunday, Nakayama, Japan
ARIMA KINEN-G1, ¥959,860,000, Nakayama, 12-22, 3yo/up, 2500mT, 2:31.80, fm.
1–REGALEIRA (JPN), 119, f, 3, by Suave Richard (Jpn)
      1st Dam: Roca (Jpn) (GSP-Jpn, $240,719), by Harbinger (GB)
      2nd Dam: Land's Edge (Jpn), by Dance in the Dark (Jpn)
      3rd Dam: Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao
O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Tetsuya Kimura;
J-Keita Tosaki; ¥503,402,000. Lifetime Record: 8-3-0-1,
¥634,381,000. *1/2 to Douradores (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}),
GSP-Jpn, $665,540. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Shahryar (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Dubai Majesty,
by Essence of Dubai. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn);
¥200,972,000.
3–Danon Decile (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Top Decile, by
Congrats. (¥135,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHJUL). O-Danox Inc.; B-
Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥130,486,000.
Margins: NS, 1HF, HF. Odds: 9.90, 29.10, 3.00.
Also Ran: Bellagio Opera (Jpn), Justin Palace (Jpn), Urban Chic (Jpn), Rousham Park (Jpn), Stunning Rose (Jpn), Danon Beluga (Jpn), Struve (Jpn), Prognosis (Jpn), Blow The Horn (Jpn), Deep Bond (Jpn), Stars On Earth (Jpn), Hayayakko (Jpn).
Scratched: Do Deuce (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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