Rulership colt Redentor continues on the upgrade with maiden Grade 1 success in Tenno Sho

Damien Lane with Redentor after their Tenno Sho (Spring) win

Redentor and Damian Lane stayed on best as the Rulership colt collected his first Grade 1 title in Sunday's Tenno Sho Spring in Kyoto, the longest of Japan's top-level races.

It was a hard-fought victory for the favourite, who raced in midfield before hitting the front five-wide on the final turn to prevail by a head from the late challenger Byzantine Dream, while Shonan La Punta was three lengths behind in third under Yutaka Take.

The four-year-old out of winning Stay Gold mare Corcovado marked his sixth win from nine career starts including one Grade 3. He was the runner-up of last year's Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) for owner Carrot Farm and breeder Northern Farm.

Trainer Tetsuya Kimura marked his 14th Grade or Group 1 win, including Equinox's 2023 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Lane said: "I’m very privileged to ride in this special race and win it. I wanted to get the horse in a good position and good rhythm and get him to relax because he can get a little keen in the races. He was travelling very strong at the third corner and I had to be patient and wait and get him to the outside to give him a clear run.

"He's only four years old, and is young both physically and mentally, so I think he'll become an even better horse as he develops."

Redentor has been entered the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe along with stablemate and Arima Kinen winner Regaleira, who has been resting after breaking a bone following victory in the Arima Kinen last December.

He is the fifth top-level winner for Shadai stallion Rulership, the classy middle-distance performer and sire of recent Dubai Turf scorer Soul Rush and a Caulfield Cup hero in Mer De Glace.