On March 22, at the Kyoto Racecourse, the 69th Hankyu Hai came to life as the underdog, Kantei-en, managed to pull off a spectacular victory. Riding high on the anticipation of its supporters, Kantei-en, entrusted to veteran jockey Eimei Saki, emerged triumphant at 7th popularity, claiming its first major weight title.
Kantei-en's race strategy was executed flawlessly, as it made its way from the back of the pack with virtually unparalleled speed at the home stretch. The horse demonstrated incredible form as it breezed past the competition to clinch victory, proving the efforts of the training team and jockey were worth it. “It was incredible! I felt euphoric throughout the entire race,” Saki expressed, enthused from the performance he had just witnessed.
The win was particularly significant as it earned Kantei-en qualification for the prestigious G1 Takamatsu Memorial (to be held on March 30 at Chukyo), thereby enhancing its career prospects. Jockey Saki remarked, “Once I moved it to the outside, I felt confident about how well it could perform. I was hopeful to see just how much it could stretch its legs.”
Throughout the race, Kantei-en laid low, choosing to hang back strategically, only to burst onto the racing scene during the final stretch. This calculated approach proved beneficial as the horse surged forward, executing the coach Yoshitake Sho's plan to maximize Kantei-en's natural abilities. “By letting it sit back and gather power, the outcome was dirt-simple once we reached the home stretch,” Sho noted. The tactic seemed to pay off, as the horse reached impressive speeds, finishing with optimal timing.
Racing enthusiasts noted how this win brings Kantei-en up to join the ranks of elite competitors, showing it can keep up with more experienced participants. The full racing field featured renowned competitors, like the second-place finisher, Asa-Kara King, and third-place finisher, Soda's Ring, with the favorite, Fortune Time, surprised to finish fifth.
Interestingly, this is Kantei-en's first major triumph and solidifies it as one of the frontrunners for future G1 competitions. Previously struggling with the aggressive nature of elite races, it looks like the horse may have finally turned the corner, much to the delight of its team and owner Masanobu Habuta. “I believe strongly there’s considerable potential here,” Habuta mentioned, fanning excitement for Kantei-en's next outing.
The encouraging growth of Kantei-en not only showcases the animal's tenacity but also reflects on the training methodologies employed by Sho—who has been credited with developing the horse’s signature burst speed. Given Kantei-en's recent results leading up to this race, it’s expected the racing community will see more of this promising contender, maybe even at the Takamatsu Memorial soon.
With its stellar performance, the horse’s name, which references one of the towering peaks of the Himalayas, seems well-suited for its ambitions as it navigates ascending the ranking of top competitors. Fans will undoubtedly keep their eyes peeled for this phenomenal entry as it aims to dominate future racecourses.
Details surrounding Kantei-en are compelling: sired by Big Arthur and out of Cuesta Volta, the horse was born on March 23, 2018. Throughout its career, Kantei-en has seen 17 races with this latest victory marking its fifth win and bringing its total earnings to over ¥101 million.
Indeed, the energy surrounding Kantei-en's victory has not only ignited the enthusiasm of its owners and trainers but also reinvigorated the hopes of fans eager to rally behind its ascendance. Could we be witnessing the makings of another racing legend?