This is one of the newest races in the JRA’s G1 line up, this year being
only it’s 7th renewal, but some of Japan’s greatest racehorses of the
past decade have won it. Vodka won it in 2009, she was the reigning
Horse of the Year, and later that year went on to win the Japan Cup (G1,
2400m) to clinch a second consecutive Horse of the Year title, a first
for a filly in Japan. In 2010 Buena Vista, hot off a stunning 2nd place
finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1, 2410m) snagged the Victoria Mile
with only inches to spare. In 2011, Apapane, the Champion 2 year old of
2009, champion 3 year old of 2010, and the 3rd Filly Triple Crown
winner in Japan’s history beat Buena Vista in Victoria Mile, becoming
the first TC winning filly to win a G1 after their TC triumph. If you go
back to the beginning of the race, in 2006, it was won by Dance in the
Mood, the full sister to champion Dance Partner and Kikuka Sho winner
Dance in the Dark.
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