Fervent Fires Up Niigata as Ogino Shines in Nagaoka Stakes
The Niigata crowd roared as Fervent surged past the post, jockey Kiwamu Ogino standing tall in the irons and punching the air before leaning down to pat the winner’s neck. Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara watched from the rails, smiling as the feature Nagaoka Stakes was sealed in brilliant style on Sunday afternoon.
A Day of Straight-Line Thrills at Niigata
Niigata Racecourse, Japan’s only track to host straight-line contests, staged a full card of twelve races on August 24th, 2025. Sunshine, energy, and the spectacle of flat racing kept the racegoers engaged, each contest unfolding with its own surge of drama.
The opener was a maiden race for two-year-olds over 1600 metres on turf worth 10.6 million Yen, won by Galilea with jockey Makoto Sugihara for trainer Hidekatsu Shimizu in 1:37.4. Moon Grail finished second under Kiwamu Ogino for trainer Kazutomo Mori, with Maltese Don in third.
The second race, a 1800-metre dirt maiden for three-year-olds with 10.6 million Yen at stake, went to Meisho Kobe, guided by Takuya Ono for trainer Yusuke Wada in 1:54.2. Jun Victoire finished second with Kiwamu Ogino for trainer Eiji Nakadate, while Brother Beat took third.
The third race, a 2000-metre turf maiden for three-year-olds valued at 10.6 million Yen, was captured by Meiner Ares, ridden by Yukito Ishikawa for trainer Ikuo Aizawa in 2:01.2. Kyoei Good followed in second with Takuya Kowata for trainer Naoto Chiba, with Meiner Aurum completing the placings.
The fourth race, a 1200-metre turf maiden for three-year-olds with 10.6 million Yen in prize money, saw Maono Crush home first with Yusuke Hara riding for trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa in 1:11.3. Kitano Lively finished second under Hatsuya Kowata for trainer Shinobu Homma, followed by Symphony Seas.
The fifth race, a 2000-metre turf maiden for two-year-olds worth 14.25 million Yen, went to Cosmo Elvar, partnered by Yusuke Hara for trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa in 2:03.9. Cantina secured second with Takuya Ono for trainer Takeshi Horiuchi, with Fighter Jet third.
The sixth race, a 1600-metre turf maiden for two-year-olds worth 14.25 million Yen, was won by Rouge Dahlia in 1:34.9, ridden by Kiwamu Ogino for trainer Toru Hayashi. Grand Opus ran second with Kanta Taguchi for trainer Shinsuke Hashiguchi, and Juratory finished third.
The seventh race, an allowance special weight over 1000 metres for three-year-olds and up with 15.2 million Yen purse, went to La Torche, ridden by Akira Sugawara for trainer Masatatsu Kikukawa in 0:54.9. Honey Irie filled second under Takuro Ishida for trainer Eiichi Yano, with Red Camellia third.
The eighth race, an allowance special weight over 1800 metres on dirt for three-year-olds and up worth 15.2 million Yen, saw Lofty Story claim victory in 1:52.5 with Takuya Kowata riding for trainer Takashi Kubota. Layback Spin finished second under Yutaka Yoshida for trainer Mitsunori Makiura, followed by Noble Act.
The feature Nagaoka Stakes, a 1600-metre handicap for three-year-olds and up with prize money of 35.6 million Yen, was taken by Fervent, timed at 1:32.5 with jockey Kiwamu Ogino for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara. Hawaiian Tiare finished second with Genki Maruyama for trainer Mikio Matsunaga, while Dazzling Brave was third.
The Toki Stakes, a 1400-metre turf race for three-year-olds and up worth 51.99 million Yen, went to Gray in Green in 1:20.5, piloted by Kiwamu Ogino for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee. Dugat filled second with Teruo Eda for trainer Hideyuki Mori, and Shadow Fury ran third.
The Niigata Nisai Stakes, a 1600-metre turf contest for two-year-olds valued at 59.11 million Yen, was won by Realize Sirius in 1:33.4 under Akihide Tsumura for trainer Takahisa Tezuka. Taisei Vogue finished second with Kanta Taguchi for trainer Takeshi Matsushita, with Festival Hill in third.
The card closed with the final race, an allowance special weight over 1200 metres on dirt for three-year-olds and up worth 15.2 million Yen, where Riku Ei scored in 1:11.7 with Seina Imamura aboard for trainer Masahiro Takeuchi. Pepper Mill claimed second under Taisei Danno for trainer Shizuya Kato, with Charcoal third.
Wrapping Up at Niigata
From maidens breaking through to the established performers in the Nagaoka Stakes, the Niigata meeting lived up to its billing. Fervent’s triumph under Ogino ensured the Nagaoka Stakes continued its standing as a jewel in the Niigata racing calendar.
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