'He's proven he's the best of his generation' - Japanese Derby glory for Kitasan Black's brilliant Croix Du Nord

Croix Du Nord bounced back from defeat in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) to claim Classic success in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), further enhancing his reputation as an outstanding prospect for Kitasan Black.

A warm favourite to claim the showpiece contest at Tokyo, Croix Du Nord broke well under rider Yuichi Kitamura to settle behind the leaders. He duly went to the front turning in and denied Masquerade Ball by three-quarters of a length, with Shohei another length and a half back in third. Museum Mile, the conqueror of Croix Du Nord in the Satsuki Sho, finished sixth. 

The victory was marking the colt's fourth win from five starts and second at the top-level having won last year's Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, while he also won the Grade 2 Tokyo Sports Hai for owner Sunday Racing Co Ltd, trainer Takashi Saito and breeder Northern Farm.  

Saito said: "I'm really glad and relieved. Compared to the Satsuki Sho, I thought Croix Du Nord was in good shape when he was at the training centre, and when he came into the paddock he looked really good. Even though it was a big event and there were a lot of spectators, he remained calm and I thought he was a mentally strong horse. As the trend of foreign jockeys winning Grade 1 races continues, I think it was great I was able to win the Derby with [Yuichi] Kitamura despite all that was going on.

"Croix Du Nord is entered for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but I think we will decide whether he will go after consulting with the owner and looking at his condition. Although he lost the Satsuki Sho, I think he's proven he's the best of his generation in the Derby, and he still has room to improve."

Croix Du Nord: "he still has room to improve"Credit: Masakazu Takahashi

Kitamura added: "I'm happy Croix Du Nord is a Derby-winning horse and that I was able to provide the best ride. I feel everything that has led me to this point was meaningful. I feel I was able to win and that I had a connection with Croix Du Nord, and that everything was connected. 

"I had only one thought: to believe in the horse and to believe in myself. I felt like I was one with the horse, and that he ran at a good rhythm without me having to do anything else. I was absolutely sure he would improve, and it turned out just as I expected, so I'm glad my faith paid off. I want Croix Du Nord to become more and more well known around the world."

Croix Du Nord is out of the Cape Cross mare Rising Cross, a winner of the 2006 Group 2 Park Hill Stakes who placed in the English and Irish Oaks that year. Rising Cross is also responsible for the Grade 3-placed Earthrise, a daughter of Manhattan Cafe who was also fourth in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks).

Croix Du Nord is one of three individual top-level winners for his Shadai Stallion Station-based sire, the others are the outstanding 2023 world champion Equinox, who finished second in the 2022 edition of the Japanese Derby, and Satsuki Sho scorer Sol Oriens. 

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