Christophe Lemaire Completes Unprecedented Kikuka Sho Hat-Trick with Energico

[Wandering Eyes]

Christophe Lemaire became the first jockey to win three consecutive runnings of the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) at Kyoto when guiding race favourite Energico to an emphatic victory in Sunday's final leg of the Japanese Triple Crown.

Trained by Mizuki Takayanagi for owners Silk Racing, Energico raced well off the pace in the early stages of this 3,000-metre contest, before making up considerable ground on the approach to the final turn. In fifth position when the dash for home began, the son of Duramente then showed much the best acceleration to lead entering the final furlong and was ultimately well on top at the line, beating chief market rival Eri King (Kizuna) by two lengths. Longshot Excite Bio (Rey de Oro) edged out Goltzschtal (Bricks And Mortar) in a photo finish for third, another three quarters of a length behind Eri King.

As well as completing an unprecedented hat-trick, Lemaire joined Yutaka Take as the most successful jockeys in the history of the Kikuka Sho with five wins apiece, having previously tasted Classic glory with Satono Diamond in 2016, Fierement in 2018, Durezza in 2023 and Urban Chic last year.

“It's hard to believe that I won three in a row in this race!” said a delighted Lemaire. “It's a long-distance Group 1 and very difficult to win at Group 1 level, but I've been fortunate to have been given rides on such great horses with stamina every year.

“Energico also has lots of stamina and, although he is not so sharp out of the gate, we had plenty of time to keep patient and make our way to a good spot. I took the opportunity to grab a good route on the outside and the colt responded well with lasting finishing speed.

“Winning at Kyoto is special because I reside at Kyoto and winning two weeks in a row [after the victory of Embroidery in the G1 Shuka Sho] feels so great!”

Energico arrived at Kyoto as the winner of three of his four previous starts, notably winning April's G2 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho in the style of one likely to be suited by this longer trip. He suffered his sole defeat when taking on older horses in August's G3 Niigata Kinen, running an encouraging race after four months on the sidelines to take second behind the battle-hardened five-year-old Shirankedo (Declaration Of War).

 

【Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1), 3000m, Kyoto, JRA】

Energico won the Kikuka Sho !#JRA #horseracing #KikukaSho #Energico pic.twitter.com/JoTYa8iJvP

— HorseRacingInJapan (@HorseRacing_JPN) October 26, 2025

 

Pedigree Notes

Energico is one of three winners of the Kikuka Sho for his late sire, Duramente, along with Titleholder in 2021 and the aforementioned Durezza. This colt belongs to Duramente's final crop, which has also yielded fellow Classic placegetter Masquerade Ball, who finished second in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and third in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas).

One of seven winners from 10 runners out of Noverre's G1 Preis der Diana heroine Enora, Energico is a half-brother to the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten-winning sire Erasmus (Reliable Man) and the winning Oasis Dream mare Kizingo. The latter is the dam of another Preis der Diana victrix in Erle (Reliable Man), as well as the G3 Prix de Royaumont third Eleganz (Adlerflug).

In addition to Enora, Energico's second dam, the G2 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Enrica (Niniski), has produced nine other winners. They include the multiple Group scorer and multiple Group 1-placed Egerton (Groom Dancer), plus the Listed winner and G3 Deutsches St. Leger runner-up Ernesto (Reliable Man).

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan
KIKUKA SHO (JAPANESE ST.LEGER)-G1, ¥419,370,000, Kyoto, 10-26, 3yo, c/f, 3000mT, 3:04.00, gd.
1–ENERGICO (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Duramente (Jpn)
      1st Dam: Enora (Ger) (G1SW-Ger, $303,781), by Noverre
      2nd Dam: Enrica (GB), by Niniski
      3rd Dam: Eicidora (Ger), by Surumu (Ger)
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm; T-Mizuki
Takayanagi; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥227,559,000. Lifetime:
5-4-1-0, ¥318,219,000. *1/2 to Erasmus (Ger) (Reliable Man
{GB}), GSW-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Eri King (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Kizuna (Jpn)–Youngstar (Aus),
by High Chaparral (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
(¥210,000,000 Ylg '23 JRAJUL). O-Susumu Fujita;
B-Northern Farm; ¥87,874,000.
3–Excite Bio (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Rey de Oro (Jpn)–Animate Bio
(Jpn), by Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE.
O-Bio Inc.; B-Northern Farm; ¥53,937,000.
Margins: 2, 3/4, NS. Odds: 3.80, 4.30, 82.60.
Also Ran: Goltzschtal (Jpn), Red Bande (Jpn), Mirage Knight (Jpn), Coachella Valley (Jpn), Giovanni (Jpn), Rex Novus (Jpn), Arrondi (Jpn), Amakihi (Jpn), Right Track (Jpn), My Universe (Jpn), Shohei (Jpn), Layered Red (Jpn), Yamanin Bouclier (Jpn), Ra Shalom (Jpn), G T Adamant (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video.

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