Jockey Yuichi Kitamura is looking forward to launching his campaign to become Japan’s first winner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on “the strongest horse in the world”, despite what he described as an “unsatisfactory” gallop in Chantilly on Wednesday morning.  

Kitamura and Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord will line up in Sunday’s Group 3 Prix du Prince d’Orange over 1m2f at Longchamp, although Kitamura didn’t mince his words when outlining how he felt the breeze on Les Aigles had gone. 

“This was his first time galloping on Les Aigles so he looked around a bit,” said Kitamura. “As well as that he isn’t used to galloping solo. He always works with two or three other horses, and that’s why he may have been a little confused.”

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlockRacing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racingExpert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul KealyReplays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecoursesForm study tools including the Pro Card and Horse TrackerExtensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales dataSubscribe

Already a subscriber?Log in

Published on 10 September 2025inFrance

Last updated 17:07, 10 September 2025