In his final career start, Lemon Pop capped off a stellar career with a wire-to-wire victory in the G1 Champions Cup, defending his title as the favourite and leaving the track in triumphant style. Second favourite Wilson Tesoro finished a nose behind in second, while 9th favourite Dura Erede closed strongly to claim third. Remarkably, the top three finishers replicated last year's exact result. The winning time was 1:50.1 on a fast track.

Breaking from barrier number 2, Lemon Pop made a sharp start and immediately took the lead, maintaining his position throughout the race. As in the previous year, Wilson Tesoro launched a fierce challenge down the stretch, but Lemon Pop held on by a nose to secure the victory.

Jockey Ryusei Sakai, who guided Lemon Pop to this emotional final win, reflected on the achievement, "I was hoping to win and send him off with a retirement ceremony. This is the best possible result." Sakai explained his strategy, "I wanted to minimize any wasted movement, so I insisted on taking the lead. My mindset was, 'Come and catch us if you can.' I rode him just like I did last year, doing what I always do. In the end, it was his determination and strength that won this race."

Sakai first partnered with Lemon Pop in last year's February Stakes, where they claimed their first G1 victory together. Since then, Lemon Pop remained undefeated in six domestic G1-level races. Sakai expressed deep gratitude for their partnership, "It's an honour to have been on his back. For the past two years, he has been the centrepiece of my career. He's a horse I will never forget." With this unforgettable performance, Lemon Pop retires as a true champion, leaving behind a legacy of dominance and resilience.