The 61st Kinsho Sho G2 unfolded at Chukyo Racecourse on March 16, 2025, over 2000 meters of turf, and it brought excitement as ten horses aged four and up competed for priority entry to the prestigious Osaka Hai. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Queen's Walk, ridden by Yuga Kawada, who showcased exceptional skill to clinch victory.
Queen's Walk, trained by Masazumi Nakanaiuta, marked a historic win by becoming the eighth filly to triumph at this race, the first since Samani Bepin did so 30 years ago. With this win, Kawada achieved his third consecutive Kinsho Sho victory, having won previously with Prognoisis in 2023 and 2024, bringing his total tally for the race to five lifetime victories, tying him with former jockey Tetsuzo Sato for the record of most wins.
The race began with high expectations, especially for Prognoisis, who was aiming for a third consecutive victory. Unfortunately for the connections, Prognoisis, ridden by Yuichi Nishimura, finished sixth. After the race, Nishimura reflected on the outcome, saying, "I was late to start," hinting at the importance of positioning early on.
The competition was tight, with Hawa Hawaii Biscuit, ridden by Yasutoshi Iwata, finishing second, and Kings Palace, piloted by Yuichi Ikezoe, taking third place. Ikezoe described his experience, stating, "I stumbled at the gate, which set me back. I had to expend energy to keep pace and found myself unable to reach the front as needed during the final stretch."
The winning time for Queen's Walk was clocked at 2 minutes and 1.3 seconds, showcasing not only speed but also the training prowess of Nakanaiuta, who has now achieved his fourth victory at Kinsho Sho, tying him with trainer Akira Sasaki for the all-time record. The 2025 Kinsho Sho will remain memorable for its thrilling back-and-forth, setting the stage for future discussions about the event's significance and the horses' performances.
Other jockeys also shared their thoughts post-race. Yuki Kitamura, riding La Laavel, finished ninth and commented on the race's difficulty: "I couldn't go at the strategic moment and quickly lost my responsiveness. I think if this race were on good ground, my performance would have been reflected more positively." Meanwhile, Kohei Matsuyama, who rode Deep Monster to fifth place, noted, "The horse handled itself well throughout the race. I believe there was still potential energy at the end, but we just couldn't capitalize on the standings needed to finish higher."
Looking at the recent performances of the racers leading up to the Kinsho Sho, data analyses highlighted the importance of past G1 participants. Research from the Kyoto University Keiba (horse racing) Research Association indicated the previous G1 group had performed admirably with return stats showing [5-5-2-17] – representing 41.4% profitability. The analysis also asserted strong reasons to favor Prognoisis, who had exceptional performance the previous season, removing him from the favorites this time stoked intrigue among spectators and bettors. The factor of race dynamics kept everyone guessing as onlookers witnessed how Queen's Walk established why it deserves to be considered among the upper echelon of competing horses.
The race had previously showcased legends, elevting and exciting fans and new followers alike. Moving past the general controversy and dialogue surrounding Prognoisis's capabilities, the results flipped expectations upside down, sparking debates about the true caliber of upcoming challengers has led them to draw near the winners circle.
With the discussion on racing strategies taking center stage among jockeys and trainers, expectations for future events have intensified. Jockeys reflecting on their rides will continue to influence training adjustments leading up to the next events, as strategies remain key indicators for success. The Kinsho Sho’s outcome lays the groundwork for upcoming competitors and offers newly arrived horses the chance to shine and state their case for future racing glory.
These insights will surely generate anticipation for the next races as fans and analysts alike begin to ponder the capabilities and styles of both seasoned and newcomer competitors. The buzz surrounding these events encapsulates not only the excitement of horse racing but the enduring legacy of the sport itself.