Horse of the Week #1: Shirankedo Storms Home in the G3 Niigata Kinen
- Archie Brookes
- Sep 2
- 3 min read
Welcome to the debut of our Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net. Here, we spotlight a horse whose performance in Japan’s racing scene deserves the spotlight. This week, we celebrate Shirankedo, the spirited five-year-old mare who stormed home to win the G3 Niigata Kinen with flair.
Race Recap: A Late Burst of Brilliance
The Niigata Kinen is always a test of patience and timing, and this year’s renewal delivered a finish to remember. For much of the 2000 metres, Shirankedo was content to bide her time in mid-division, conserving energy as the pace unfolded. The field stacked up rounding the final bend, and that’s when her trademark weapon came into play.
Sweeping wide into clear running, Shirankedo shifted gears and unleashed her devastating turn of foot. With Ryusei Sakai urging her on, she surged past the favourite Energico in the final strides, winning by half a length in a sharp 1:58.0. Behind her, Deep Monster closed well but had to settle for third.
It was a ride of patience and precision from Sakai, and a performance that underlined Shirankedo’s growing reputation as one of Japan’s most dangerous late finishers.
Proven Quality: More Than Just a Flash
This wasn’t Shirankedo’s first taste of graded success. Earlier this year she struck in the G3 Nakayama Himba Stakes, showing her toughness against seasoned mares. Even more telling was her third in the G1 Victoria Mile, where she mixed it with the very best and proved she belongs at the highest level.
Now, with another G3 win on the board, her résumé is starting to look impressive: consistent, versatile, and able to raise her game when it counts.
The Weapon: Explosive Acceleration
If there’s one trait that sets Shirankedo apart, it’s her devastating closing speed. Few horses can quicken the way she does, turning an even-paced contest into her personal showcase in the space of a few strides.
Sakai was quick to highlight it after the race:
"Her greatest weapon is her turn of foot, that explosive acceleration... we angled out into better ground."
That ability makes her dangerous in any race, at any level. It’s the kind of asset that wins Group 1s.
What’s Next: G1 Glory in Sight
Connections have every reason to be excited. With another graded success under her belt and a proven record against elite company, all eyes are now on Shirankedo’s autumn campaign.
Sakai’s words carry weight:
“Among fillies, she’s already top-class. All that’s missing now is a G1 win, and I believe she can do it.”
The calendar is full of opportunities - and whichever path her team chooses, Shirankedo will line up as a major threat. She has the turn of foot to win at the very highest level, and the momentum to make this her breakthrough season.
Final Word
Shirankedo’s Niigata Kinen triumph wasn’t just another graded win. It was the performance of a mare in her prime, sharpening her tools for bigger prizes ahead. If she continues on this upward curve, don’t be surprised if she adds a Group 1 to her record before the year is out.
For our very first Horse of the Week, we couldn’t ask for a better headline act.
If you’ve enjoyed this first Horse of the Week feature, I’d love your support - please share it with fellow racing fans and follow me on X @archieb100 for more insights, race recaps, and weekly highlights. Your feedback and interaction will help grow this series into something special.
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