Second again for Satono Reve in QE II Jubilee Stakes as Japan remain winless at Royal Ascot; Lugal places eighth

Close, but no cigar for Satono Reve - once again.

The JRA’s two-time Takamatsunomiya Kinen champion finished second in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for the second straight year on Saturday (June 20), losing out to Almeraq after a photo finish.

Japan’s first-ever victory at Royal Ascot will have to wait for another day as Satono Reve was declared the runnerup by a nose after the photos in the 1 million pounds, Grade 1 race. Almeraq’s winning time was 1 minute, 11.82 seconds over six furlongs on the straight course, held on going listed as good to firm.

The other runner from the JRA in the field of 18, Sprinters Stakes winner Lugal, was eighth.

Satono Reve’s jockey Ryan Moore thought his 7-year-old horse ran well but it just wasn’t their day.

“He ran a very good race,” Moore said. “He was in good condition. We had to wait a little inside the gate but he still got off to a strong start.

“The horse next to us was itching to go so we let him and stayed right behind. The Australian horse came on but thought we had him beaten - and then the winner came out of nowhere.

“It was unlucky. But he competed to the very end.”

Coming off second place to the incredible Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong back in April, Satono Reve on Saturday was silky smooth off the blocks from the outside barrier.

He sat mid-pack during the trip, patiently waiting to spring on the frontrunners. It turned out to be a four-way photo finish in the end, however, with Satono Reve appearing to have won it after overtaking first choice Joliestar of Australia - only to be tipped by Almeraq at the wire.

The 6-year-old Lugal had Japanese fans thinking what if for a moment, staying right on the tail of Joliestar before fading.

Despite defeat, Lugal’s jockey Katsuma Sameshima saw some positives in the run from his horse.

“He broke well considering how nervous he was in the gate,” Sameshima said. “In Japan, his style is to position toward the front and try to hang on but watching the races at Royal Ascot from the first day, I noticed how the horses who were aggressive early were running out of gas.

“I kept that in mind at the start of the race, saving him for the finish. The favorite was right in front of us and we marked him. We couldn’t quite catch him but for a moment there, I thought we had it. He ran that well.

“We owe it to the stable and everyone on the team who helped us adjust to European racing. I hope we can draw on this experience when we go back to Japan.”

Last year, Satono Reve became the first JRA horse since Agnes World at the 2000 King’s Stand Stakes (now the King Charles III Stakes) to take second at Royal Ascot. Hopes had been high for Satono Reve this year to see if he could break through for Japan.

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Ascot racecourse
Result: BHA, Racing Post