Christophe Lemaire guided Durezza to Classic glory in the G1 Kikuka Sho on Sunday, his fifth win in a row and a first G1 title for him. Derby winner Tastiera finished second and the G1 Satsuki Sho winner Sol Oriens came home in third.

Lemaire reflected, "I was so excited when we crossed the finish line. The plan was to get a good rhythm in a first lap but Durezza was too keen to settle him down. I brought him up to the front and he liked that. He won against top horses in this generation and will do fine in the 2400m and 2000m distance range."