Euphoria for Efforia team as colt retains undefeated record with Classic glory

Second favourite Efforia captured the Satsuki Sho - the Japanese 2,000 Guineas - at Nakayama on Sunday, when he became the 19th colt to win the Classic with an unblemished race record.

This was his fourth success, and the first at Group 1 level, and he follows Saturnalia and Contrail in 2019 and 2020 in taking the colts' Classic as an unbeaten victor.

Having won on his debut at Sapporo in August, the Epiphaneia colt followed up with a win in the Hyakunichiso Tokubetsu in November and added a Group 3 victory in the Kyodo News Hai in February this year.

Trainer Yuichi Shikato was winning his second JRA Group 1 after the 2008 Japan Cup success of Screen Hero, while it was a first top-flight success for 22-year-old jockey Takeshi Yokoyama.

He is the son of fellow jockey Norihiro Yokoyama, 53, who won the same race with Seiun Sky in 1998, the year Takeshi was born.

Efforia raced in fourth inside of the favourite Danon The Kid, taking the lead at the top of the home straight and drawing away to win by three lengths from Titleholder, whom the winning rider had steered to victory in the Yayoi Sho on his previous start. Stella Veloce was a neck back in third.

Danon The Kid, who tried to hit the front rounding the last corner, emptied to drop out and finish second-last.

Winning rider Yokoyama said: "It's the best! I've ridden the horse since his debut and as he has been training satisfactorily, I thought we might get a good result, and I am happy I was able to make it reality.

"I felt big pressure, but I told myself I would win if able to ride with trust in my technique and making the most of his ability.

"I was able to take a good position because the pace was not so fast. I am so happy to take this Grade 1 with an undefeated colt. We will have to challenge for an even bigger race next time and I will feel even more pressure, but I would like to grow up and take on the challenge."

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