Watch: Titleholder grabs St Leger spoils with sublime front-running success

Titleholder became a first top-level winner for his late sire Duramente after dominating his rivals with an impressive front-running victory in the Japanese St Leger (Kikuka Sho) at Hanshin on Sunday.

The three-year-old was a winner at Grade 2 level earlier in the season before finishing runner-up in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas (Satsuki Sho) and sixth in the Japanese Derby (Tokyo Yushun), but disappointed at Nakayama last time.

However, he bounced back to his best with a wide-margin win in Japan's final Classic of the year, making all under an enterprising ride from Takeshi Yokoyama in the contest over a mile and seven furlongs.

Titleholder's success was a first Grade 1 for the colt, while it was also a breakthrough victory at the highest level for his sire, who died last month at the age of nine due to acute colitis.

There was something of a righting a wrong feel to the outcome as well, for Duramente had won the Japanese 2,000 Guineas and Derby but was denied a shot at the triple crown and missed the St Leger due to injury. What's more, the sire's final run on the track saw him beaten into second by Marialite, who just happens to be the dam of the runner-up here, Orthoclase.

Titleholder all-the-way success also capped a fine season for Yokoyama, providing him with a second Classic of his career and the season following his win in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas aboard Efforia, while it was also a first Classic win for trainer Toru Kurita.

The jockey said: "I rode a bad race on him in the previous race [when only 13th in the St Lite Kinen] so I wanted to make up for that today, so I am happy to get the result.

"I thought the distance was longer than his best but he was so strong. I am embarrassed that I didn't have more faith in his ability. He's always easy to ride, but once he goes forward, he can relax, so I wanted to go to the lead today, and I just focused on keeping his rhythm.

"I wanted to win the Derby [but lost out to Shahryar by a nose] but I have now won two Classics, so I want to say thank you to the horses."

The Christophe Lemaire-ridden Orthoclase was five lengths back in second, while the 29-10 favourite Red Genesis never featured and finished a disappointing 13th of the 18 runners.

Japanese St Leger full result

Read more:

Death of dual Japanese Classic winner and promising sire Duramente at nine

Ferguson and Beckett revel in Group 1 glory as El Bodegon and Angel Bleu deliver

'It was an anxious wait' - State Of Rest survives inquiry drama to win Cox Plate

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute