A landmark moment in Japanese racing unfolded at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday as Juryoku Pierrot surged to victory in the 87th running of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), handing jockey Seina Imamura a historic first JRA Grade 1 success and making her the first female rider to win a Japanese Classic race.
The fifth favourite, trained by Ryo Terashima, produced a determined late burst to defeat Dream Core and Laughterlines in the 2,400-metre championship for three-year-old fillies, run before a crowd of 44,539 at Tokyo Racecourse. The victory also marked a remarkable milestone for Juryoku Pierrot herself, who became the first filly to win the Oaks after beginning her career on dirt in 26 years.
Breaking smoothly from stall 16, Juryoku Pierrot settled towards the rear under a patient ride from Imamura as the field travelled through moderate fractions on ground officially described as good to firm. Trinity dictated the early pace while several fancied runners searched for position around the sweeping Tokyo circuit.
Imamura resisted the temptation to improve too early. The chestnut daughter of Orfevre travelled strongly entering the straight but briefly appeared boxed in as the field compressed approaching the final 400 metres. Once a narrow gap emerged down the centre, Juryoku Pierrot lengthened impressively, quickening between rivals before outstaying her challengers in a fiercely contested finish.
Dream Core, partnered by Christophe Lemaire, ran a courageous race after advancing into contention along the backstretch and briefly looking the likeliest winner inside the final furlong. However, Juryoku Pierrot’s relentless late drive carried her to the front in the closing strides, with Dream Core forced to settle for second by a neck.
Laughterlines, ridden by Damian Lane, finished strongly from a wide position to take third, also beaten only a neck, after conceding ground around the home turn.
The heavily supported favourite Star Anise endured a troubled passage throughout. Squeezed back early and repeatedly denied clear running in the straight, the Drefong filly never found rhythm and eventually faded to 12th in one of the race’s major disappointments.
For Imamura, the breakthrough carried immense emotional weight. Still only in her fifth season in the saddle, the 2022 Best Newcomer Jockey had previously managed only one graded victory and entered the Oaks with limited top-level experience.
“It’s like I’m dreaming,” Imamura said afterwards. “I’ve gone through tough losses in other attempts and always imagined winning a big race someday. Today, that dream came true.”
She also praised the toughness shown by her mount over the demanding 2,400-metre journey.
“She was taking me there rather than me driving her,” Imamura added. “She’s a very strong filly.”
The victory gave Terashima his first Grade 1 triumph since establishing his stable in 2016 and further enhanced Juryoku Pierrot’s rapidly rising reputation within Japan’s outstanding three-year-old filly division.
The Japanese Oaks 2026 result is likely to reshape the remainder of the fillies’ Triple Crown season, with Juryoku Pierrot now emerging as a leading contender for autumn honours after securing the second jewel of the series.
Realize Luminous stayed on for fourth after briefly striking the front inside the final 300 metres, while Sweet Happiness completed the top five. Enne produced one of the fastest closing sectionals from the rear to finish seventh after leaving herself with too much to do.
Run over 2,400 metres, the Yushun Himba remains Japan’s premier stamina test for three-year-old fillies and one of the country’s most prestigious races. First staged in 1938, the contest has produced numerous elite broodmares and champions, including Triple Crown heroine Liberty Island in 2023.
Juryoku Pierrot now joins an illustrious honour roll, but Sunday’s race will be remembered just as much for Imamura’s history-making ride as for the filly’s courageous finish.
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