Croix du Nord Eyes History: The Quest for the Spring Triple Crown and a 300 Million Yen Bonus

Croix du Nord (a 4-year-old colt), the champion of this year's Osaka Hai and Tenno Sho (Spring), has officially been confirmed for the upcoming Takarazuka Kinen (G1). Jockey Yuichi Kitamura will maintain his partnership with the horse as they aim for an unprecedented feat: becoming the first horse in history to claim the "Spring Triple Crown" for older horses and securing a massive 300 million yen bonus.

Fans on social media reacted quickly to the sudden announcement of his participation. Comments ranged from high-stakes excitement to admiration for the bold move: "I truly believe they can grab the Spring Triple Crown and that 300 million yen bonus," and "Aiming for the Spring Triple Crown in this Reiwa era is such a 'masurao' (valiant) move."

Beyond the Father's Legacy and Into Uncharted Territory

Since his debut, Croix du Nord has never had another rider in the saddle, building a perfect rapport with Yuichi Kitamura. Together, they have already amassed G1 titles in the Hopeful Stakes, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), and this year's Osaka Hai and Tenno Sho (Spring). A victory in the Takarazuka Kinen would represent a clean sweep of the most prestigious spring G1 races for older horses in a single calendar year.

Many fans are particularly moved by the prospect of the colt achieving what his sire could not. "A historic Spring Triple Crown that his father couldn't reach... I definitely want to see this happen," and "Win the Takarazuka that your dad lost and go for the Triple Crown!" are just a few of the comments highlighting the bloodline drama at play.

Rematches with Rivals and Concerns Over a Grueling Schedule

However, the path to greatness is not without obstacles. Some fans have expressed concern regarding the toll taken by his previous victory, questioning "how much damage remains from the Tenno Sho (Spring)" given the demanding nature of long-distance racing and the recovery time required before the next big event.

The competition also remains fierce. The field includes Museum Mile, setting up a highly anticipated rematch for the first time since the Japanese Derby, as well as the resurgent Meisho Tabaru and the formidable Danon Decile. Some analysts on social media pointed out the tactical challenges: "Unlike the Osaka Hai, the Takarazuka Kinen has a long straight, which could allow Museum Mile’s explosive late speed to shine."

A 300 Million Yen Dream and the Birth of a Legend

The achievement of the Spring Triple Crown carries a special bonus of 300 million yen. Beyond the monetary value, it signifies a level of dominance that places a horse among the all-time greats. As one fan put it, "Just attempting the Spring Triple Crown—something usually only possible in video games like Winning Post—is incredible in itself." This challenge is already being hailed as a major milestone in Japanese racing history.

With fans praying for the horse's safety while hoping to witness history, expectations are at a fever pitch. All eyes will be on Hanshin Racecourse this June to see if Croix du Nord and Yuichi Kitamura can conquer the Grand Prix and cement their place in the legends of the turf.

The context

In the Japan Racing Association (JRA) circuit, the "Spring Triple Crown" for older horses consists of three major Grade 1 races held in the first half of the year: the Osaka Hai (2000m), the Tenno Sho (Spring) (3200m), and the Takarazuka Kinen (2200m). To encourage top-tier horses to participate in all three, a special bonus system was established, offering 300 million yen to any horse that wins all three races in the same year. Despite the incentive, the physical toll of competing in a 3200m marathon followed by the "Grand Prix" Takarazuka Kinen makes this feat exceptionally rare and difficult, often likened to something only achievable in simulation games.

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