Tokyo International News Agency

On April 18, 2026, the undisputed champion Ecolo Duel, ridden by jockey Taro Kusano, secured a magnificent victory at the Nakayama Grand Jump (J-GⅠ), marking a successful title defense. The horse's overwhelming performance, combined with official JRA jockey camera footage released shortly after the race, has generated significant buzz among fans. During the race, Ecolo Duel dominated the field with extraordinary jumping ability and stamina, winning by a wide margin. The record-breaking performance sparked a wave of admiration on social media, with fans calling the horse a "Duelist who reigns supreme" and noting that his strength gave them "goosebumps." Reflecting on his performance after the race, Kusano expressed his fierce determination to win, stating, "I didn't want the race to slow down and turn into a test of pure speed." The jockey camera footage has drawn particular attention for revealing a surprising, personal side of Taro Kusano. From hu...

On April 18, 2026, the Nakayama Grand Jump, the pinnacle of steeplechase racing in Japan, took place at Nakayama Racecourse. Ecoro Duel delivered a dominating performance, securing victory in record-breaking time. However, the most talked-about topic among horse racing fans on social media following the race was the fact that every horse completed the course safely. Steeplechase racing is an intense discipline where the safety of both horse and rider is always the top priority. Fans expressed their relief and shared sentiments such as, 'In a Grade 1 steeplechase, whether all horses can finish is the main concern,' and 'Staying safe and finishing the race is what matters most.' A particularly moving moment occurred when jockey Motoki Mizunuma, riding in his first-ever JG1 race, crossed the finish line with Politonality as the final pair. The warm applause from the crowd triggered a wave of emotional reactions online, with many users posting that they were 'moved to t...

On April 18, 2026, the JRA Nakayama Grand Jump (JG1) concluded with a historic win by Ecoro Duel, ridden by Taro Kusano. As the heavy 1.5-odds favorite, the horse secured its third straight victory in the race, becoming only the third horse in history to achieve this feat. The dominant performance sparked a frenzy on social media, with fans praising the horse as 'too strong' and a 'monster.' The race showcased Ecoro Duel's clear superiority. Footage from the jockey camera mounted on Taro Kusano, released on the official JRA YouTube channel, captured the jockey repeatedly shouting 'Strong!' and 'Wonderful!' after each successful jump, highlighting the effortless coordination between horse and rider. By the final stretch, Ecoro Duel had extended its lead, crossing the finish line with a decisive gap over the runner-up, Dinasta. Fans were left in awe, describing the performance as 'goosebump-inducing' and noting that the horse appeared to have n...