Lemaire and Satono Reve: A Historic Double at the Takamatsunomiya Kinen

On March 29, 2026, the 56th Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) at Chukyō Racecourse saw the overwhelming victory of the first favorite, Satono Reve, ridden by Christophe Lemaire. The duo finished in a remarkable 1 minute 6.3 seconds, narrowly missing the race record, and achieving the historic feat of becoming only the second horse ever to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen consecutively.

Satono Reve's back-to-back victory solidifies its undeniable status as the absolute monarch of the short-distance racing world. After the race, jockey Lemaire praised the horse, stating, "He is a top-level sprinter." His perfect ride maximized the horse's ability, allowing it to powerfully break away and deliver a breathtaking performance. There were even suggestions that Satono Reve might have lost a shoe shortly after the start; if true, this would further highlight the exceptional ability of both Lemaire and Satono Reve.

For Christophe Lemaire, this was his long-awaited first victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Due to the race typically coinciding with the Dubai World Cup carnival, he had few opportunities to participate in the past, making this win a significant moment that garnered immense attention from fans. Immediately after crossing the finish line, his jockey camera captured his joyful shouts, "Yahoooo!" showing an excitement akin to a popular video game character. At the awards ceremony, he humorously thanked the crowd, saying, "Thank you for coming and not going to watch F1!"

This victory brings Lemaire even closer to achieving a complete sweep of all JRA flat G1 races, with only the Osaka Hai and Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes remaining. He is scheduled to ride Levenspiel in next week's Osaka Hai, and great anticipation surrounds his journey towards the G1 Grand Slam.

While the race concluded with Satono Reve's dominant win, the 15th favorite, Red Mon Reve, produced an exciting surge to finish second, creating a significant upset. Win Carnelian secured third place. Namura Clare, running her retirement race, unfortunately finished sixth. Some observers pointed to possible disadvantages she faced or raised questions regarding her ride.

The historic victory carved out by the partnership of Satono Reve and Christophe Lemaire marks a significant step forward for future sprint races and for Lemaire's pursuit of even greater achievements.

The context

For non-Japanese readers, understanding a few key elements can enrich the appreciation of this article. The Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) is one of Japan's most prestigious sprint races, typically held in late March at Chukyō Racecourse. G1 signifies it is a Grade 1 race, the highest level of competition in Japanese horse racing, attracting top-tier horses and jockeys. Christophe Lemaire, a French jockey, is a superstar in Japanese horse racing, known for his exceptional skill and popularity. His pursuit of a "Grand Slam" of all JRA flat G1 races is a major storyline for fans. His first win in this particular race is notable because its timing often conflicted with international racing events like the Dubai World Cup, where he frequently rode. The mention of "lost a shoe (落鉄)" is crucial; if a horse loses a horseshoe during a race, it's a significant disadvantage that would make the victory even more impressive. The article highlights not only a horse's consecutive championship but also a legendary jockey's personal milestone, adding layers of historical significance to the event.