Full sister to "The World's Best Racehorse" Equinox set for debut at Tokyo Racecourse
Wednesday, 08 October, 2025 09:58
Exceed
The veil will finally be lifted on the full sister to "the world's best racehorse." Exceed (Filly, 2yo, by Kitasan Black), the full sister to Equinox, who topped the 2023 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, will make her debut in Sunday's Tokyo Racecourse Race 5, a 2000-meter turf event. She aims to begin her career with a victory over the same Tokyo 10-furlong course that her illustrious brother dominated, capturing back-to-back wins in the 2022 and 2023 G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn).
Following in the footsteps of her brother, who reigned as the world's top racehorse, Exceed is ready to make her first start in Tokyo Race 5 (turf, 2000 meters). The impeccably-bred filly, a full sister to six-time G1 winner Equinox, will make her much-anticipated debut on the same stage where her brother shone.
One week ago at the Miho Training Center's woodchip track, she clocked 7F in 97.6 seconds, finishing with splits of 38.1 and 12.1 seconds. She galloped strongly from a long distance, finishing on even terms with Octavianus. Groom Ota commented, "There are still a few things to fine-tune in her everyday action, but she's been moving really well, her stride is just as impressive as you'd expect from this pedigree. She handled her final workout with composure." He added, "We'll continue to adjust her balance and refine her rhythm as we head toward her debut."
After passing her barrier test on July 11, she was turned out for a summer spell at Northern Farm Tenei in Fukushima, where she spent two months preparing for her debut. Farm manager Kimiya, who also oversaw Equinox's early development, shared his thoughts, "She's well-built for a filly and shows sharp acceleration. Her gestures and sensitivity remind me of her brother when he was young, she's alert and quick to respond." He added, "Of course, that sensitivity is something we'll need to manage going forward, but she's a very exciting prospect with great potential."
Her name, "Exceed," means "to surpass." With Christophe Lemaire, the same jockey who guided her brother to greatness, set to take the reins, the next chapter in this extraordinary bloodline's story is about to begin.
Following in the footsteps of her brother, who reigned as the world's top racehorse, Exceed is ready to make her first start in Tokyo Race 5 (turf, 2000 meters). The impeccably-bred filly, a full sister to six-time G1 winner Equinox, will make her much-anticipated debut on the same stage where her brother shone.
One week ago at the Miho Training Center's woodchip track, she clocked 7F in 97.6 seconds, finishing with splits of 38.1 and 12.1 seconds. She galloped strongly from a long distance, finishing on even terms with Octavianus. Groom Ota commented, "There are still a few things to fine-tune in her everyday action, but she's been moving really well, her stride is just as impressive as you'd expect from this pedigree. She handled her final workout with composure." He added, "We'll continue to adjust her balance and refine her rhythm as we head toward her debut."
After passing her barrier test on July 11, she was turned out for a summer spell at Northern Farm Tenei in Fukushima, where she spent two months preparing for her debut. Farm manager Kimiya, who also oversaw Equinox's early development, shared his thoughts, "She's well-built for a filly and shows sharp acceleration. Her gestures and sensitivity remind me of her brother when he was young, she's alert and quick to respond." He added, "Of course, that sensitivity is something we'll need to manage going forward, but she's a very exciting prospect with great potential."
Her name, "Exceed," means "to surpass." With Christophe Lemaire, the same jockey who guided her brother to greatness, set to take the reins, the next chapter in this extraordinary bloodline's story is about to begin.
Article Creds:Daily Sports