Shin Emperor: Japan's Irish Challenger With Eyes on the Arc
- Archie Brookes
- Sep 9
- 5 min read
Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (G1), 2000m, 3yo+ - Leopardstown, Saturday 13 September 2025
When Shin Emperor contests the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, he enters not only as a colt of exceptional pedigree and promise, but also as a central figure in Japan’s ongoing pursuit of victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. This year, however, the challenge is shared: three other Japanese contenders are also being aimed at the Arc, highlighting the nation’s increasing influence on the European racing stage.
Pedigree and Background
Shin Emperor is a four-year-old chestnut colt trained by Yoshito Yahagi for prominent owner Susumu Fujita. Bred in France by Ecurie Des Monceaux and foaled on April 30, 2021, he is by Siyouni out of the Galileo mare Starlet’s Sister. This makes him a full brother to Sottsass, winner of the 2020 Arc, and a half-brother to Group 1 performers Sistercharlie and My Sister Nat. At the 2022 Arqana August Sale, he topped the auction at €2.1 million.
Ridden primarily by Ryusei Sakai, Yahagi’s stable jockey, Shin Emperor has consistently carried the weight of high expectations. As Joao Moreira, his early rider, observed: “He is from the family of an Arc winner and I can see why he is good. He won in a style which only high-class horses can.”
Racing Development
Two-Year-Old Season (2023)
Shin Emperor debuted in Tokyo in November 2023, winning by three lengths with authority. He followed with victory in the G3 Kyoto Nisai Stakes, displaying composure and acceleration. His first defeat came in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, where he was narrowly beaten by subsequent G1 Arima Kinen winner Regaleira, but by season’s end he was firmly established as one of Japan’s leading juveniles.
Three-Year-Old Season (2024)
During his classic season, Shin Emperor ran second in the G2 Yayoi Sho, finished fifth in the Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas), and placed third in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) behind Danon Decile and Guineas winner Justin Milano. These performances confirmed his adaptability and stamina.
His European campaign began with a commendable third in the 2024 Irish Champion Stakes, where he was trapped for much of the race but still closed strongly against Economics and Auguste Rodin. His Arc attempt was less successful, fading to 12th on soft ground, though he redeemed himself later that year with a nose-second in the Japan Cup to Do Deuce, reaffirming his place among the elite of his generation.
Watch last year's renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes where Shin Emperor finished a close third
Four-Year-Old Season (2025)
Shin Emperor opened 2025 with a commanding win in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, where his turn of foot proved decisive. He was then a disappointing seventh in the Dubai Sheema Classic, after which Yahagi gave him a summer break to prepare specifically for an autumn campaign in Europe.
He arrived in Ireland with stablemate Jack O Damo in late August to acclimate, training at the Curragh under the supervision of Richard Brabazon. Assistant trainer Kazuo Yoshida reported that Shin Emperor had matured significantly, showing sharper work and greater composure than the year before. These developments suggest he is entering this campaign as a more complete athlete.
Irish Champion Stakes 2025: A Pivotal Test
The Irish Champion Stakes on September 13 represents more than a tune-up; it is a major contest in its own right. Shin Emperor’s third-place finish in the 2024 edition showed his ability to compete with Europe’s best. This year, the expectation is clear: improvement and possibly victory.
The leading rival is Aidan O’Brien’s Delacroix, an outstanding three-year-old already proven in Group 1 company. Johnny Murtagh’s Zahrann, an improving colt, is also highly regarded. The late withdrawal of John Gosden’s Ombudsman reshaped the field, positioning Shin Emperor as joint second-favourite with Zahrann. Seasoned campaigners like Anmaat add further intrigue.
Shin Emperor’s principal asset is his versatility. He has demonstrated both the stamina for 2400 meters, as in the Derby and Japan Cup, and the speed to strike over intermediate trips, such as his victory in the 2100-meter Neom Turf Cup. Leopardstown’s tactical race shape should play to these strengths.
As Yahagi noted: "He is still improving - I'm sure he will be a top-level horse."
A win would carry historic weight: no Japanese horse has ever won a Group 1 in Ireland. Beyond that, it would set Shin Emperor up as one of the most credible Arc candidates in the field.
The Broader Arc Context
Unlike in 2024, Shin Emperor is not Japan’s sole representative in Paris. Japan will field a formidable supporting cast: Byzantine Dream, who underlined his credentials with victory in the G2 Prix Foy on Sunday, stamping himself as a genuine Arc player; Croix du Nord, who is due to run in a key trial this coming Sunday at Longchamp and could sharpen his profile further; and Alohi Alii, fresh off a decisive triumph in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano, showing both progression and tactical versatility. Taken together, these runners provide Japan with a multi-pronged challenge that may be the deepest collective effort the nation has ever assembled for the Arc.
Shin Emperor’s performance at Leopardstown will therefore be viewed not only as a personal milestone but also as a crucial component in this broader Japanese strategy.
Conclusion
In summary, Shin Emperor brings together an outstanding pedigree, a race-by-race record of steady improvement, and valuable international experience. His Irish Champion Stakes run last year proved he can mix it with Europe’s best at ten furlongs, and it served as an essential learning experience for both horse and rider. Now, with that knowledge and the benefit of further physical development, he stands a strong chance of improving his placing - perhaps even winning - in this year’s renewal at Leopardstown.
The opposition is formidable, led by an in-form three-year-old in Delacroix and supported by other Group 1-calibre rivals, but Shin Emperor’s versatility and late finishing kick make him a genuine threat. His current standing as a 5-1 second favourite reflects the respect he commands among bookmakers and analysts. For Japan, the 2025 Irish Champion Stakes is not only a prestigious international target in its own right but also a crucial final stepping stone toward another Arc attempt.
All eyes will be on Leopardstown this Saturday to see if the “new emperor” can ascend to the summit, claim a landmark Irish victory, and carry Japan’s hopes one step closer to Arc glory. If he fulfills his potential, Shin Emperor may not only etch his name into Irish racing history but also establish himself as a central figure in Japan’s most formidable collective Arc challenge yet.
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