'He has no flaws' - Croix Du Nord looks another top-notcher for Kitasan Black with victory in the Hopeful Stakes

Hot favourite Croix Du Nord made it three from three when landing the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Nakayama by two lengths, in the process looking to be another potential superstar for sire Kitasan Black.

Partnered by regular rider Yuichi Kitamura, the Northern Racing-bred colt was positioned midfield before rounding the home bend and taking the lead. He duly came home in front of Epiphaneia's Giovanni, while Mozu Ascot's Faust Rasen was a further length and a quarter back in third. 

Croix Du Nord is out of the Cape Cross mare Rising Cross, winner of the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes and Listed Lupe Stakes for John Best. She was also second in the Oaks at Epsom and third in the Irish equivalent.

Croix Du Nord after winning the Hopeful Stakes Credit: Masakazu Takahashi

Rising Cross is also the dam of Grade 3-placed Earthrise, also fourth in the Grade 1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks).

Kitamura said: "He was very calm and in good shape. I didn't think he was not a horse who could run sharply from inside the group, so I didn't want to be inside. I took my time to get a good position but after that there was a horse who moved on the front outside so we couldn't ran in a relaxed mood. 

"When I saw the front two horses at the top of the home straight, I was sure I would be able to catch them and not to be caught from behind. He has no flaws and I think he has the potential to become a star. I'm looking forward to seeing how much he can grow from here."

Read more

'He's the kind of stallion who will benefit the breed' - expert jury looks ahead to 2025