On March 16, 2025, the Kinko Sho, one of Japan's most prestigious horse races, witnessed history as Queen's Walk triumphed at the Chukyo Racecourse over 2000 meters, achieving her third graded stakes victory. Ridden by jockey Yuga Kawada, the four-year-old mare emerged victorious, marking not only her win but also Kawada's remarkable achievement as he secured his third consecutive Kinko Sho title.
Queen's Walk, entering this significant race as the fourth favorite, demonstrated outstanding speed and stamina, overtaking her rivals near the finish. This victory adds to her previous wins, including the Queen Stakes and Rose Stakes from the previous year, showcasing her consistent form.
This win is particularly momentous as it makes Queen's Walk only the eighth mare to win the Kinko Sho since the race's inception, with the last mare to achieve this being Samani Beppin back in 1995. Reflecting on the importance of this victory, Kawada exclaimed, "Winning this race means so much, especially being part of Queen's Walk's incredible story and legacy. She has proven herself capable against the best."
Aside from the personal achievements of the jockey, this race marked Kawada's fifth win at the Kinko Sho, tying him with legendary jockeys like Tetsuzo Sato for the most wins at this prestigious event. Remarkably, he previously won with horses such as Last Impact and Danon Premium, illustrating his long-standing dominance on the Chukyo track.
Trained by Nakanai, Queen's Walk's success equals the trainer's fourth Kinko Sho win. This ties him with another esteemed trainer, Koshiro Sasaki, for the most wins at this event as well. Speaking of the victory, Nakanai noted, "The teamwork between Queen's Walk and Yuga has been outstanding, and it’s rewarding to see our efforts culminate in such success on the racecourse."
Despite his own disappointment, Katsuo Ikezoe, the jockey for the second-place horse, Ho Oビスケッツ, offered insights on the race dynamics. "I stumbled at the gate and struggled to find my pace early on. We had to work hard but were just not able to catch up when it mattered most," he remarked, reflecting on his performance.
Third place went to King's Palace, ridden by Katsuo Ikezoe. After suffering at the start, he noted: "I felt I had to fight back after the early stumble, which tired out my horse. We made it to the final stretch, but the competition was tough today. I'm proud of my horse's performance under the circumstances."
Other notable performances included Kosuke Matsuyama's mount, Deep Monster, which finished fifth. Matsuyama praised the horse’s ability to navigate the race well, stating, "The horse managed to stay composed throughout, and we pushed hard until the end." Meanwhile, Yuki Nishimura, who rode Prognosis, which placed sixth, admitted, "Unfortunately, I missed the start, and it cost us the chance at placing higher today."
With the achievement of Queen's Walk, expectations are soaring for her future performances, especially with the next big event being the Osaka Cup, where the winner of the Kinko Sho is granted priority entry. "We’re already thinking about what’s next. There’s more to come from Queen’s Walk, and I’m eager to see how she performs next," Kawada added, hinting at future ambitions.
These triumphs not only highlight individual jockey and horse accomplishments but reiterate the ever-growing competitiveness of Japanese horse racing. The excitement surrounding each race captivates audiences and elevates the status of the participating athletes. Indeed, the Kinko Sho continues to be a cornerstone event, producing thrilling races and historic wins for years to come.
With this latest victory, Queen's Walk has not only carved her name alongside esteemed winners of the past but also ignited fervor among fans and racing experts alike, anticipating her next appearance on the racecourse. The Kinko Sho remains emblematic of gallant endeavors and spectacular feats within the sport, and Saturday’s results have certainly reaffirmed this tradition.