Gointosky Wins the 87th Kikuka Sho as Robchen Triple Crown Bid Fails

The 87th running of the Kikuka Sho took place on October 25, 2026, at Kyoto Racecourse, concluding the Japanese Triple Crown for three-year-old colts over a distance of 3,000 meters on turf. Gointosky, ridden by veteran jockey Yutaka Take and trained by Yuki Uehara, captured the final classic race in a thrilling blanket finish. Sent off as the third choice, the colt clocked 3 minutes and 4.5 seconds on firm ground to claim the top prize.

The race featured an unusual early pace when King Glory broke away to establish a massive lead, stretching the field significantly. While the frontrunner set a fast initial tempo, the trailing group maintained their own rhythm. Gointosky settled comfortably on the inside within the middle of the pack, conserving energy as the field navigated the demanding long-distance course.

Entering the home straight, Take patiently waited for a gap to open among the tightly packed runners. Once the path cleared, Gointosky surged through the middle to challenge for the lead, ultimately holding off a furious late charge from the wide-running Basteール, ridden by Yuga Kawada. The two horses crossed the finish line in a fierce duel, with Gointosky prevailing by a razor-thin margin of a nose. Danon History, the second choice ridden by Christophe Lemaire, finished one length behind in third place.

The victory carried significant historical weight for both the connections and the pedigree. Gointosky is a son of Contrail, the undefeated 2020 Triple Crown winner, marking the stallion's first-ever Japan Racing Association Grade 1 victory with his initial crop of offspring. For Take, the triumph extended his own record for most Kikuka Sho titles to six, his first in the prestigious race since 2019. Trainer Yuki Uehara also celebrated his first career Grade 1 victory at age 36, setting a record for the youngest winning trainer in the history of the Kikuka Sho. Additionally, the result marked the sixth consecutive victory for a trainer based at the Miho training center in the Kanto region.

Meanwhile, the race's primary storyline ended in disappointment for the supporters of Robchen. The heavy favorite, aiming to become just the ninth horse in history to sweep the Triple Crown following victories in the Satsuki Sho and the Tokyo Yushun, struggled from the start. Ridden by Kohei Matsuyama, the top choice missed the break and found himself trapped further back in the field than anticipated due to an uncharacteristic gate departure.

Although Robchen made a notable middle-move during the backstretch and briefly surged toward the leading group approaching the final turn, the colt faded significantly in the stretch and finished 14th. Trainer Haruki Sugiyama pointed to stamina limitations as the primary factor, noting that the distance ultimately proved too far. Jockey Matsuyama expressed deep regret over failing to deliver on high expectations after facing heavy pressure ahead of the historic race.

The high-drama finish and the favorite's defeat created substantial payouts for wagering fans. While exact outcomes like the trifecta returned 113,300 yen, the upset cemented a memorable chapter in the 2026 classic racing season, highlighting tactical discipline, historic milestones, and the unpredictable nature of long-distance thoroughbred competition.