It was an easy win for the world's best racehorse, Equinox, in the G1 Japan Cup. Ridden by his regular jockey in Christophe Lemaire, he defeated Triple Tiara winner Liberty Island, who finished second ahead of Stars on Earth in third.

Lemaire reflected, "I cannot find the word that fits him. I was planning to stay behind Titleholder and it went as I planned. That's when I knew we were gonna win this race." On his career with Equinox, he added: "He is literally a super horse. He gave me so much confidence as a jockey. He is so easy to ride and calm. It's almost like a pony. Anyone can ride him."