Trovatore Clinches Epsom Cup in Photo Finish as Former Classic Queen Stellenbosch Makes Dramatic Comeback
On May 9, 2026, the 43rd Epsom Cup (GIII, Turf 1800m) at Tokyo Racecourse delivered a thrilling finish that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last moment. While the victory went to the second favorite, Trovatore, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, the spotlight of horse racing fans was firmly fixed on the runner-up: the former Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) champion, Stellenbosch. As the horses charged up the final hill on the homestretch, the race turned into a fierce duel between Trovatore, who surged powerfully from the outside, and Stellenbosch, who unleashed an equally impressive late burst of speed. Following a photo finish, Trovatore was declared the winner by a nose, securing his second consecutive graded stakes victory. Despite the narrow loss, the performance by Stellenbosch—who had seen her popularity drop to fifth favorite—was hailed as a true "revival." Social media was flooded with celebratory comments from fans, with many expressing relief t...