On a sunny day with ideal turf conditions, the 2025 Japanese Derby (Tokyo Yūshun) was held on June 1st at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu. CROIX DU NORD, a three-year-old colt, emerged victorious by covering the demanding 2,400-meter turf course in an impressive time of 2:23.7. Ridden by Yuichi Kitamura, the colt crossed the finish line in a thrilling photo-finish that captured the hearts of fans.
Trained by Takashi Saito, CROIX DU NORD earned the prestigious winner’s share of ¥300 million. This victory marks his conquest of the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, firmly establishing him as one of Japan’s most promising young thoroughbreds.
The race day featured a full card of 12 events, with the Japanese Derby taking center stage at 15:40. Exclusively open to three-year-old colts and fillies, the Tokyo Yūshun is widely regarded as the pinnacle of horse racing achievement in Japan. Since its inception in 1934, the Derby has been held annually at Tokyo Racecourse and is often referred to as the “Festival of Horse Racing” in the country.
Modeled after the British Derby, the Tokyo Yūshun shares a deep-rooted historical connection, with its name tracing back to Edward Smith Stanley, the founder of the original race in 1780. The challenging 2,400-meter course is designed to test the stamina and strength of Japan’s top three-year-olds.
CROIX DU NORD, the talented son of KITASAN BLACK, has already claimed two other notable victories: the Tokyo Sports Cup 2-Year-Old Stakes (GII, 2024) and the Hopeful Stakes (GⅠ, 2024). Fans and racing experts alike eagerly await the next move from his connections, Sunday Racing Ltd.
