'I was confident he would win' - Jantar Mantar claims record-breaking victory in the Mile Championship

Odds-on favourite Jantar Mantar picked up his fourth top-flight success with an assured display in the Mile Championship at Kyoto on Sunday. 

The son of Darley Japan's Palace Malice, out of American Grade 3 winner India Mantuana, was recording his sixth win from ten starts for breeder Shadai Farm.

He is the first horse to have won all of the JRA's turf Grade 1 races over a mile that colts and horses can run in, the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (in 2023), the NHK Mile Cup (2024), plus the Yasuda Kinen and Mile Championship this season.  

Trained by Tomokazu Takano, Jantar Mantar settled in third under regular rider Yuga Kawada before taking up the lead turning into the home straight. The pair came home to record success by a length and three-quarters, with Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) in second and Water Licht (Drefong) a further nose away in third. Queen Anne winner Docklands finished a five-length ninth for Harry Eustace and Mark Zahra. 

Kawada said: "Although he was beaten in his prep race, the Fuji Stakes, he ran very well and I could see he was in excellent condition going down to post this time. In the race I prioritised his feelings and kept him in a good rhythm and he moved very well. I was confident he would win. 

"He's won all of his top-level races over a mile on the turf and this is due to his high ability and the daily efforts of everyone involved, so I'm happy he's been able to win another race like this."

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