Shahryar, the 2021 Derby winner, finished a disappointing 11th place in the Sapporo Kinen. While he started the race in a prominent position, he gradually lost his place. Takeshi Yokoyama, who rode Shahryar for the first time, reflected, "As we feared before the race, it was impossible on this bad ground. He did his best."

After the race, Sunday Thoroughbred Club, the owner of Shahryar, announced that a post-race veterinary examination revealed that Shahryar was found to have epiglottic entrapment, and he will undergo surgery. While there were considerations for Shahryar to travel to the US for the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf G1 at Santa Anita Park this November, this now becomes uncertain.