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Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1) - Oju Chosan Wins Third Nakayama J-G1 Title

Heavy favorite Oju Chosan succeeded in defending his Nakayama Grand Jump title and at the same time became only the second horse after Australia’s Karasi who won three Nakayama Grand Jump titles between 2005 and 2007 to win three J-G1 titles in a row since JRA implemented the grading system in obstacle races in 1999. The Stay Gold entire, who extended his winning streak to six since his first J-G1 victory in the same race last year, had come off his latest win this season in the Hanshin Spring Jump on March 11. Trainer Shoichiro Wada and jockey Shinichi Ishigami also registered their third career J-G1 title—all won with Oju Chosan.

“I’ve finally gotten used to the pressure of having to start as race favorite, and today, I was able to stay cool. Oju Chosan was already pretty keen to go early at the backside, but he still had plenty when Sanrei Duke came from behind us—he’s a smart horse and got into gear on his own when the runner-up came too close—I didn’t even have to use my whip so he’s a pretty amazing animal. He’s pulled up from the race safe and sound and I look forward to make our challenge towards further J-G1 victories,” commented Shinichi Ishigami.

“He was well positioned during the trip and smooth over the jumps. He led a little early but continued to respond well. He’s very reliable and a powerful jumper. He’ll have a good rest after this and we’ll see about where to start after he’s ready to go again,” said trainer Shoichiro Wada.

Oju Chosan shot out of the gate then eased to allow Meisho Hidetada, La Stella and Up to Date to take the early lead. Oju Chosan traveled not too far behind the leaders in fourth and Shinichi Ishigami gave him a perfect economical trip as he guided the son of Stay Gold close to the rails. The pair made smooth transitions as the lead changed from right to left and then right again, forming a figure of eight.

Other Horses:
4th: (4) Taisei Dream―sat around 6th, advanced after 10th jump (no.8), no match for Up to Date at stretch
5th: (7) Le Pere Noel―raced near winner, dropped back after 7th jump (no.7), failed to respond at stretch
6th: (11) I T Teio―trailed in rear, made headway after 10th jump (no.8), lacked need kick thereafter
7th: (2) Win Yard―settled around 9th, gradually improved position after 6th jump (no.5), unable to reach contention
8th: (3) Wonderful World―ran in 7th, advanced to 4th after 7th jump (no.7), soon fell back, never a threat
9th: (10) Kurino Daikokuten―traveled around 10th, unable to pass rivals besides pacesetter
10th: (13) Tosen Hanamizuki―raced in 7-8th, dropped back to 2nd from rear after 5th jump (no.6), passed tired rivals at stretch
11th: (9) La Stella―prominent early in 2nd, faded after 7th jump (no.7)
12th: (1) Tyrian Purple―was off slow, raced 2nd to 3rd from rear, no factor throughout
13th: (8) Meisho Hidetada―set pace, led field until 11th jump (no.9), faded thereafter

THE 19TH NAKAYAMA GRAND JUMP (J-G1)
4-year-old & up, 4,250 meters (about 2 and 2/3 miles), turf
Saturday, April 15, 2017    Nakayama Racecourse       11th Race        Post time: 15:40
Total prize money: ¥ 142,660,000 (about US$ 1,240,522 <US$1=¥115>)
4-y-o: 62kg (about 137 lbs), 5-y-o & up: 63kg (about 139 lbs), 2kg allowance for Fillies & Mares
Safety factor: 16 runners

1. 1.Oju Chosan (JPN), bay, horse, 6-year-old
   Stay Gold / Shadow Silhouette (Symboli Kris S)
   

   Owner: Chosan Co., Ltd.	Breeder: Naoyoshi Nagayama
   Trainer: Shoichiro Wada	Jockey: Shinichi Ishigami
   19 Starts, 9 Wins (17 Starts, 9 Wins *steeplechases only)
   Added money: ¥ 66,455,000	Career earnings: ¥358,771,000 (¥ 358,771,000 *steeplechases only)
   Principal Race Performances:	’16 Nakayama Daishogai (J-G1, 4,100m)	1st
   	’16 Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1, 4,250m)	1st
   	’17 Hanshin Spring Jump (J-G2, 3,900m)	1st
   	’16 Tokyo High-Jump (J-G2, 3,110m)	1st
   	’16 Tokyo Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,110m)	1st

   
   
2. 2.Sanrei Duke (JPN), bay, horse, 9-year-old
   Durandal / San Lake Queen (Cozzene)
   

   Owner: Keiji Nagai	Breeder: Keiji Nagai
   Trainer: Yoshitada Takahashi	Jockey: Yoshiyasu Namba

   
   
3. 3.Up to Date (JPN), gray, horse, 7-year-old
   Kurofune / Linear Muse (Tony Bin)
   

   Owner: Kazuo Imanishi	Breeder: North Hills Co,. Ltd.
   Trainer: Shozo Sasaki	Jockey: Mitsuaki Hayashi

* Nakayama Grand Jump (J-G1)

The Nakayama Grand Jump, the biggest steeplechase event in spring, span off from the biannual Nakayama Daishogai (J-G1, 4,100m) steeplechase races in 1999. The history of the Nakayama Daishogai dates back to 1934 when the two races, one each in spring and autumn, were created for the purpose of making them the most prestigious and attractive races in steeplechase racing, just like the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in flat racing.
In 2000, one year after the Nakayama Grand Jump received its current name, the race also became an international event. In the same year, seven foreign runners from five countries took part. Boca Boca (IRE, by Mandalus) from France finished second to Gokai (JPN, by Judge Angelucci). Between 2000 and 2010 when the Nakayama Grand Jump was an invitational event, St. Steven (NZ, by Hula Town) became the first foreign contingent to claim the title in 2002. He finished third in the following year while Australian contender Karasi (IRE, by Kahyasi) became the only horse to win three consecutive titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2013, eighth favorite Irish raider Blackstairmountain (IRE, by Imperial Ballet) became the first European contender to claim the title.
The Nakayama Grand Jump features 12 jumps over the figure-of-eight-shaped course, which includes five up-and-downs over the banks and three hurdles set on the outside turf towards the final stretch. The 310-meter uphill stretch before the wire also is quite a test for many of the runners especially after running at a solid pace throughout the race.
Defending champion Oju Chosan, who landed his first J-G1 title in this race last year, followed with three more grade-race wins including the Nakayama Daishogai (Dec.23) and named the 2016 JRA Award Best Steeplechase Horse. Up to Date was the JRA Award winner before him in 2015, also having won the Grand Jump-Daishogai double, but the son of Kurofune was unable to start in the 2016 edition of the Grand Jump due to a popped splint in his left foreleg and was second to Oju Chosan by nine lengths in the Nakayama Daishogai. Both jumpers kicked off this season in the Hanshin Spring Jump (J-G2, 3,900m; Mar.11) in which Oju Chosan extended his winning streak to five while Up to Date came in second again, this time closing the margin to 2-1/2 lengths and besting the third-place finisher and Niigata Jump Stakes (J-G3, 3,250m; Aug.27) winner Taisei Dream by four lengths. Sanrei Duke, a reliable jumper who came within the top five finishers in four out of five J-G1 challenges, was fourth in the Hanshin Spring Jump while Ushiwakamaru Jump Stakes (3,170m; Jan.28) victor Kurino Daikokuten finished fifth.
Meisho Hidetada won the Pegasus Jump Stakes (3,350m; Mar.25), also held at Nakayama Racecourse, by an overwhelming eight-length margin while 2015 Niigata Jump Stakes champion and 2016 Nakayama Daishogai fifth-place finisher Tyrian Purple came in ninth. Le Pere Noel, third-place finisher in the 2016 Nakayama Daishogai, came off a win in the open-class steeplechase (turf/dirt, 3,200m; Mar.5).
The race record of this race at 4:46.6 was set by Up to Date in 2015.