Rey de Oro Takes Command in Tenno Sho Autumn

Rey de Oro, the 2017 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1) winner, rolled smoothly down the stretch at Tokyo Racecourse Oct. 28, took the lead inside the final 100 meters, and won the Tenno Sho (Autumn, G1) by 1 1/4 lengths.

Jockey Christophe Lemaire timed the move perfectly after a patient trip and made it three straight weekends with a grade 1 win.

Sungrazer, under Joao Moreira, rallied behind Rey de Oro and edged pacesetter Kiseki for second. The favorite, Suave Richard, was bumped soundly and shuffled back at the start and never reached contention, finishing 10th in the field of 12.

Rey de Oro, a 4-year-old colt by King Kamehameha, finished the 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 1:56.80. Bred in Japan by Northern Racing, the colt races in the colors of U Carrot Farm.

After winning the Derby last season, Rey de Oro finished second in the Japan Cup (G1) behind Cheval Grand, a seasoned performer who is 2 years older. He traveled to Dubai in March and finished fourth in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) behind Hawkbill, Poet's Word, and Cloth of Stars, then returned to the races Sept. 23, winning the Sankei Sho All Comers (G2) at Nakayama.

"I knew I had a good chance to win the Tenno Sho title for the first time," Lemaire said. "The colt's condition and the race development were perfect. The pace was just right, and the colt was relaxed, so everything went smoothly. He showed good, long-lasting speed."

Lemaire started his streak with a victory aboard Almond Eye in the Shuka Sho (G1) for 3-year-old fillies Oct. 14 and booted home Fierement a week later in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1). This is his second straight year riding three consecutive grade 1 winners. The only other jockey who has turned that hat trick is Olivier Peslier in 2001.

"I'm grateful to be given great rides and happy to be doing this well," said Lemaire, a Frenchman whose résumé includes top-level wins in virtually all the world's major racing jurisdictions.