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Croix du Nord

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Croix du Nord
クロワデュノール
2024 Hopeful Stakes
SireKitasan Black[1]
GrandsireBlack Tide[1]
DamRising Cross[1]
DamsireCape Cross[1]
SexColt[1]
Foaled (2022-03-21) March 21, 2022 (age 4)[1]
CountryJapan[1]
ColorBrown[1]
BreederNorthern Farm[1]
OwnerSunday Racing[2]
TrainerTakashi Saito[2]
JockeyYuichi Kitamura
Record11: 7-2-0[2]
Earnings1,340,920,600 JPY[note 1][4]
JPN: 1,334,950,000 JPY
FRA: 36,600 EUR
Major wins
Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (2024)
Hopeful Stakes (2024)
Tōkyō Yūshun (2025)
Prix du Prince d'Orange (2025)
Osaka Hai (2026)
Tennō Shō (Spring) (2026)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Colt (2024)
Last updated on June 14, 2026

Croix du Nord (Japanese: クロワデュノール, Hepburn: Kurowadyunōru; foaled March 21, 2022) is an active Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2024 Hopeful Stakes and the 2025 Tōkyō Yūshun.[1][2] He won the JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Colt in 2024.[5]

His name means "northern cross" in French.[4]

Background

[edit]

His dam, Rising Cross, a British racehorse foaled in 2003, was bred from the mare Woodrising and the stallion Cape Cross. As a yearling, she was purchased for €20,000 by agent David Minton and entered into the ownership of Dave Nevison (Heading for the Rocks Partnership), being sent into training with John Best.[6] Known for her petite stature, measuring just 14.3 hands, more akin to a pony, she showed promise on the track. In her three-year-old season (2006), she finished second to Alexandrova in the Epsom Oaks, after which ownership transferred to Gary Tanaka. That year, Rising Cross placed third in the Irish Oaks and went on to win the Park Hill Stakes.[6] Her female lineage was noted for strong performances over middle to long distances. In 2008, Rising Cross was imported to Japan. One of her notable Japanese-bred offspring was Earthrise, sired by Manhattan Cafe, foaled in 2012; Earthrise finished second in the 2015 Flower Cup, and placed in both the 2016 Aichi Hai and the 2017 Mermaid Stakes.[7] In 2022, Rising Cross foaled Croix du Nord, sired by Kitasan Black.[7]

Croix du Nord was in the fourth crop of Kitasan Black, before the impact of Kitasan Black's most famous offspring, Equinox, became apparent.[8] By 2021, Kitasan Black’s stud fee had fallen to a career-low of ¥3,000,000, yet the number of registered foals increased by sixteen from the previous generation, totaling seventy.[9]

Racing career

[edit]

2024: two-year-old season

[edit]
Croix du Nord in his debut race

On June 9, 2024, Croix du Nord made his debut in a two-year-old maiden race over 1800 meters on turf at Tokyo Racecourse, ridden by Yuichi Kitamura. Although he appeared somewhat immature in the paddock, he broke well at the start, settled just behind the leader in second place, and then drew clear in the stretch. He fended off Cervinia's half-brother, Arlecchino, to win the race. His winning time of 1 minute 46.7 seconds set a new record for two-year-olds over 1800 meters on turf in June, and tied for the fastest debut maiden time ever recorded at that course, including three-year-olds.[10]

His connections confirmed that he would take his next start in the Grade 2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes, often regarded as a stepping-stone for future stars.[11] Held on November 16, 2024, that race drew significant attention, with him as the favorite. Red Kingly, by Saturnalia, was the second choice, followed by Satono Shining, by Kizuna.[9] He had gained 24 kg since his debut, and his workouts leading into the race lacked their usual power; his trainer indicated he was not yet fully at peak fitness.[9][12] In the race, Satono Shining set the pace with Red Kingly tracking in second and him sitting third.[7] Rounding the final turn, he moved up to challenge for the lead. In the stretch, a fierce battle ensued among him and the two front-runners, but he prevailed to secure his first graded stakes victory.[7]

On November 20, his connections announced plans to enter him in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes.[13] On December 28, he went to post as the favorite, enjoying a high single’s win support rate of 44.2 percent.[14] In the race, Jun Asahi Sora dictated a steady tempo in front, while the third favorite, Piko Chan Black, and second favorite, Magic Sands, pressed on the lead.[14] He tracked in the middle of the pack along the outside. Midway down the backstretch, outsider Faust Rasen swept past the field; he followed that move to advance into third as they turned for home. Once in the straight, he unleashed a sustained closing run to overtake Faust Rasen, then held off a late charge from Giovanni (who finished second), winning by two lengths.[14] This margin was the largest since the Hopeful Stakes was elevated to Grade 1 status in 2017.[15] His undefeated three-race streak to close the year featured wins in which he took the initiative and ran down his rivals, an approach praised in Yushun magazine by Reiichi Yokote as demonstrating the composure and dominance of a champion.[15] For jockey Yuichi Kitamura, this marked his first Grade 1 victory in four years since Arima Kinen aboard Chrono Genesis, then followed by a severe fall; he was moved to tears in the postrace interview in front of the grandstand.[15]

In the 2024 JRA Awards, he was selected as Best Two-Year-Old Colt, receiving 249 of 256 votes and defeating Admire Zoom by seven votes.[5][15] In the JPN Thoroughbred Rankings for two-year-olds that year, he earned an official rating of 117 pounds, awarded on the strength of his Hopeful Stakes triumph, placing him one pound ahead of Admire Zoom as the top-rated two-year-old.[16] His 117-pound rating tied the record for highest-ever two-year-old rating, matching Danon Premium’s mark in 2017.[16]

Thanks in large part to his contribution, Kitasan Black achieved a career-high fourth place in the JRA’s two-year-old sire standings in 2024. His progeny’s earnings in graded stakes that year amounted to ¥141,114,000, ranking him first among sires.[8]

2025: three-year-old season

[edit]
Croix du Nord after winning the Tokyo Yushun

In his three-year-old debut, the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), he raced in a prominent position. However, on the second turn, Faust Rasen and others launched forward, upending the pace; although he briefly took the lead in the stretch, he was overtaken by Museum Mile and finished second, falling short of becoming the tenth undefeated winner of the Satsuki Sho. With an eye toward the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) at Tokyo Racecourse on June 1, he was sent to spell at Northern Farm Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture on April 23.[17] His trainer, Saito, reflected on the Satsuki Sho: “I wonder what might have happened had things gone a bit more smoothly, but it couldn’t be helped. He didn’t seem to lose much in transit, and it was good to have given him a bit of breathing room. In the end, it’s just the result.”[17]

On May 7, his owner, Sunday Racing, announced via its website that he had been nominated, among other options, for this autumn’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, to be run on October 5.[18] After grazing, he returned to Ritto Training Center on May 8.[18] From there, he prepared for the Japanese Derby still with Yuichi Kitamura on board.[18]

In the Japanese Derby on June 1 at Tokyo Racecourse, he tracked in third to fourth place during the run. In mid-stretch, he moved up to take the lead and held off a determined charge from Masquerade Ball and Shohei, winning decisively to claim his second Grade 1 title.[19]

On September 14, he made his first overseas start in the Prix du Prince d'Orange at Longchamp Racecourse, in preparation for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After a good start, he settled in fourth place and moved smoothly. In the final straight he launched a bold run and prevailed in a tight contest, holding off a fierce late challenge from the three-year-old french-trained Daryz to take first place. Carrying 58 kg for the first time and overcoming the heavy going, he recorded his first overseas graded stakes victory.[20] On September 19, Kitamura was suspended for the races on September 28 and 29 by the French Gallop for exceeding the permitted number of whip uses during the Prix du Prince d'Orange.[21]

On October 5, Croix du Nord ran in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He started from the 17th bracket on the very outside of the field.[22] He battled for the front position on the opening stretch coming out of it leading the field. He led the pack until the final straight but faded late, finishing in 14th place.[23] Croix du Nord arrived safely back in Japan on October 9.[24] As he back to his hometown, Croix du Nord would run in the Japan Cup as his eventual last race of the year.[25] When the race began, the horse positioned himself on the front group. He tried to rally for the win at the final stretch but fade out and overtook by Danon Decile at the final 50 metres to finish in fourth-place in the end.[26]

Croix du Nord at the Osaka Hai

2026: four-year-old season

[edit]

Croix du Nord started his year at the run in the Osaka Hai. He was having a good workout with his jockey Kitamura quoted, "If he runs his race, the result will follow. From here, I want to show the best of Croix du Nord again and get him back to being the favourite."[27] From the outermost gates, Croix du Nord stayed on the midfield before surging up as the race gone by. At the final stretch, he was on the rally for the win and overtook Meisho Tabaru to win the Osaka Hai by three-quarters of a length over him.[28] Kitamura spoke after the win and described that Croix du Nord could be the star of the year and hope they would defeat Meisho Tabaru, who excels at the Hanshin Racecourse, in which they were successful.[29]

Croix du Nord after winning the 2026 Tenno Sho (Spring)

After winning the Osaka Hai, Sunday Racing announced that the horse would be entered in to the Spring Tennō Shō, with Kitamura returning as his jockey.[30][31] When he broke out from the gate 7, Kitamura held down the pace and settled in the middle pack throughout the first lap. Croix du Nord started picking things up heading towards the final turn and got to the lead just inside the 300-meter mark.[32] He was seemingly able to cruise to the finish line until 12th favourite Wurttemberg suddenly burst forward with the fastest closing speed and incurred a photo finish at the line.[33] After roughly ten minutes of deliberation from the stewards, it was decided that Croix du Nord won the race by a nose over Wurttemberg with a winning margin of roughly 2 centimeters.[34][35] After the race, Kitamura commented, "At the finish, I didn't even know if we had won. The photo took a long time, but I'm really relieved we got the result. I'm very happy. My main priority early was whether he could relax on the initial downhill, but to be honest, he was a bit keen, and it would have been better if he had relaxed more. He has good maneuverability, so I moved early and built momentum, and he really dug in well."[32][33]

On May 28, the JRA announced the final results of vote for members of 2026 Takarazuka Kinen, where Croix du Nord topped the pole with a record number of 366 039 votes from the total of 4 168 985 valid votes.[36][37] The previous record was set by Do Deuce, who received 238 367 votes in 2024.[37] The second was Meisho Tabaru with 348 698 votes.[36] Shunsuke Yoshida said shortly before the race Sunday Racing had agreed to enter Croix du Nord into the race to target becoming the first Spring Triple Crown champion, and also that Croix du Nord would not enter the year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe due to Croix du Nord's difficulty with the race's track and long distance.[38] When the gates opened, Croix du Nord tracked the pace in good striking position, around fifth from the front, and saved ground along the rails through the final two corners. Approaching the fourth corner, he launched his bid upon entering the lane, chasing Meisho Tabaru and unleashing a powerful late kick in an attempt to catch the leader as he had in the Osaka Hai but fell a neck short this time to finish second.[39]

Racing statistics

[edit]

Below data is based on data available on JBIS Search,[40] NetKeiba,[41] and France Galop.[42]

Date Track Race Class Distance
(Condition) 		Field HN Odds
(Favored) 		Finish Time Winning
(Losing)
Margins 		Jockey Winner
(Runner-up)
2024 – two-year-old season
Jun 9 Tokyo Two Year Old Debut 1800 m (Firm) 11 6 6.1 (3) 1st 1:46.7 2+1⁄2 lengths Yuichi Kitamura (Arlecchino)
Nov 16 Tokyo Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes GII 1800 m (Firm) 9 4 2.2 (1) 1st 1:46.8 3⁄4 length Yuichi Kitamura (Satono Shining)
Dec 28 Nakayama Hopeful Stakes GI 2000 m (Firm) 18 6 1.8 (1) 1st 2:00.5 2 lengths Yuichi Kitamura (Giovanni)
2025 – three-year-old season
Apr 20 Nakayama Satsuki Sho GI 2000 m (Firm) 18 10 1.5 (1) 2nd 1:57.3 (1+1⁄2 lengths) Yuichi Kitamura Museum Mile
Jun 1 Tokyo Tokyo Yushun GI 2400 m (Firm) 18 13 2.1 (1) 1st 2:23.7 3⁄4 length Yuichi Kitamura (Masquerade Ball)
Sep 14 Longchamp Prix du Prince d'Orange GIII 2000 m (Very Soft) 7 3 2.4 (1) 1st 2:11.69 short head Yuichi Kitamura (Daryz)
Oct 5 Longchamp Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe GI 2400 m (Very Soft) 18 15 9.7 (4) 14th 2:30.81 (11 lengths) Yuichi Kitamura Daryz
Nov 30 Tokyo Japan Cup GI 2400 m (Firm) 18 2 4.6 (2) 4th 2:20.9 (3+3⁄4 lengths) Yuichi Kitamura Calandagan
2026 – four-year-old season
Apr 5 Hanshin Osaka Hai GI 2000 m (Firm) 15 15 2.5 (1) 1st 1:57.6 3⁄4 length Yuichi Kitamura (Meisho Tabaru)
May 3 Kyoto Tenno Sho (Spring) GI 3200 m (Firm) 15 7 1.8 (1) 1st 3:13.7 nose Yuichi Kitamura (Wurttemberg)
Jun 14 Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen GI 2200 m (Yielding) 18 5 2.5 (1) 2nd 2:12.1 neck Yuichi Kitamura Meisho Tabaru

Legend:
  Turf

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Croix du Nord (JPN), brown stallion, 2022[1]
Sire
Kitasan Black
b. 2012 		Black Tide
d.b. 2001 		Sunday Silence (USA) Halo
Wishing Well
Wind in Her Hair (IRE) Alzao (USA)
Burghclere (GB)
Sugar Heart
b. 2005 		Sakura Bakushin O Sakura Yutaka O
Sakura Hagoromo
Otome Gokoro Judge Angelucci (USA)
Tizly (USA)
Dam
Rising Cross (GB)
dk. b. 2003 		Cape Cross (IRE)
dk. b. 1994 		Green Desert (USA) Danzig
Foreign Courier
Park Appeal Ahonoora (GB)
Balidaress
Woodrising (GB)
b. 1992 		Nomination Dominion
Rivers Maid (IRE)
Bodham Bustino
Cley (Family: 20-c)[43]

Footnotes

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Earnings earned overseas are converted to JPY using the formula provided by JRA.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Five-generation Pedigree Table | Pedigree | Croix du Nord(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  2. ^ a b c d "Croix du Nord | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  3. ^ 外国の競馬の競走における本賞金の換算について（2025 年）(Foreign Horseracing Prize Money Conversion 2025) - Page 8 (PDF). JRA (in Japanese). Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "競走馬情報 JRA". www.jra.go.jp. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  5. ^ a b "2025.01.07 Winners of the 2024 JRA Awards announced - News - Horse Racing in Japan". japanracing.jp. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  6. ^ a b Timeform (2007). Racehorses of 2006. Portway Press Ltd. p. 891. ISBN 978-1901570632.
  7. ^ a b c d 優駿 Book in Book 重賞プレイバック, 2024 [Yushun Book in Book Jusho Playback, 2024] (in Japanese) (11th ed.). JRA PR Center. 2024. p. 20.
  8. ^ a b Fujii, Masahiro (2025). 優駿 [Yushun] (in Japanese) (2nd ed.). JRA PR Center. p. 113.
  9. ^ a b c Fujii, Masahiro (2024). 優駿 [Yushun] (in Japanese) (9th ed.). JRA PR Center. p. 113.
  10. ^ "東京芝千八の新馬戦レコード！キタサンブラック産駒クロワデュノールが快勝／新馬戦 - ２歳馬特集 | 競馬 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com. 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  11. ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2024-08-23). "クロワデュノールは東京スポーツ杯2歳Sを視野 初戦は東京芝1800メートルの新馬戦最速タイムで圧勝". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  12. ^ Yokote, Reiichi (2025). 優駿 [Yushun] (in Japanese) (1st ed.). JRA PR Center. pp. 82–23.
  13. ^ "【注目馬動向】２戦２勝のクロワデュノール ホープフルＳの鞍上は引き続き北村友一騎手を予定". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2024-12-04. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  14. ^ a b c 優駿 Book in Book 重賞プレイバック, 2024 [Yushun Book in Book Jusho Playback, 2024] (in Japanese) (12th ed.). JRA PR Center. 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d Yokote, Reiichi (2025). 優駿 [Yushun] (in Japanese) (2nd ed.). JRA PR Center. pp. 28–29.
  16. ^ a b "JPNサラブレッドランキング（2024年度） JRA". jra.jp. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  17. ^ a b INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-04-22). "皐月賞2着のクロワデュノール、日本ダービーを見据えて放牧へ". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  18. ^ a b c INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-05-07). "クロワデュノールが凱旋門賞に登録 今秋の選択肢の一つとして 次走は北村友一騎手で日本ダービーへ". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  19. ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-06-01). "【日本ダービー】クロワデュノールが堂々押し切りV！皐月賞で奪われた世代最強の座を取り戻す". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  20. ^ "【プランスドランジュ賞】ダービー馬クロワデュノールが差し切り勝ち 凱旋門賞へ向け順調なスタート：中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ". 中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ (in Japanese). 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  21. ^ "JRA announces two-day suspension for G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange winning jockey Yuichi Kitamura". NetKeiba. 2025-09-20. Retrieved 2025-10-27.
  22. ^ "2025 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Draw Revealed: Who Got the Best Berths?". www.grandnational.fans. 2025-10-02. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  23. ^ "Daryz turns the tables to capture G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, Japanese runners fall short again | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  24. ^ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-10-10). "凱旋門賞出走の3頭が帰国". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-10-11.
  25. ^ "Croix du Nord shines in final trackwork, set for G1 Japan Cup return | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 27 November 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  26. ^ "Calandagan Becomes First Foreign Japan Cup winner in 20 Years in Record Victory". Japan Cup 2025. 30 November 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  27. ^ "Japanese Derby winner Croix du Nord ready to reclaim crown with strong final prep ahead of G1 Osaka Hai". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 3 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  28. ^ "Croix du Nord and Yuichi Kitamura return to glory with G1 Osaka Hai victory". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 5 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  29. ^ ""He's the star of this year," Yuichi Kitamura delighted as Croix du Nord captures G1 Osaka Hai". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 5 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  30. ^ "大阪杯を制したクロワデュノールは天皇賞・春に参戦！ 鞍上は引き続き北村友一騎手". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). 2026-04-08. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  31. ^ "クロワデュノールは春の天皇賞へ 鞍上は北村友一【次走報】". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2026-04-07. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  32. ^ a b Kieckhefer, Bob (3 May 2026). "Croix du Nord Squeezes Out Victory in 2-mile Tenno Sho". Bloodhorse. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  33. ^ a b "Croix du Nord prevails in photo finish under Yuichi Kitamura in G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) "I didn't know if we had won"". netkeiba. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  34. ^ "Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) Full Result | R11". netkeiba. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  35. ^ "【天皇賞】クロワデュノールの２センチ 大本命か超大穴かキタサンブラック産駒が大接戦 父子制覇Ｇ１連勝＆４勝目 １０分超え写真判定の末" [[Tenno Sho] Croix du Nord's 2cm difference: The overwhelming favorite or a huge long shot? Kitasan Black's offspring in a close race, father and son achieve consecutive G1 victories and fourth win, after a photo finish that lasted over 10 minutes.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). 4 May 2026. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  36. ^ a b "Croix du Nord tops G1 Takarazuka Kinen fan poll as Spring Triple Crown bid looms | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-06-07.
  37. ^ a b "【宝塚記念】史上初の偉業かかるクロワデュノールが歴代最多36万6039票で1位 斉藤崇調教師「春3冠を目指して頑張ります」 | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-06-07.
  38. ^ "【宝塚記念　われかく戦う】クロワデュノールなど有力3頭がスタンバイのサンデーレーシング　吉田俊介代表に聞く". Sanspo Sports (in Japanese). 9 June 2026. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  39. ^ "Meisho Tabaru Defends His Title in This Year's Takarazuka Kinen" (PDF). japanracing.jp. 14 June 2026. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
  40. ^ "Race Records | Croix du Nord(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  41. ^ "Croix du Nord Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  42. ^ "CROIX DU NORD JPN | France Galop". France Galop. 2025-09-14. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  43. ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Palmflower – Family 20-c". Bloodlines.net. Archived from the original on 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
  44. ^ "Rising Cross(GB) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
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