A closely contested race at the Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday, February 15, 2026, saw a narrow finish in the Kyoto Kinen (G2), with the favored horse, Eru King, finishing a half-length behind the winner.
Despite a strong performance and a final burst with the fastest last 33.1 seconds, Eru King was unable to secure the victory, according to reports. Jockey Masaya Kawada commented, “It was a particularly good run, but…”
The Kyoto Kinen, a significant event in the Japanese horse racing calendar, is a key stepping stone to major spring G1 races, including the Osaka Hai and the Tenno Sho (Spring). This year marks the 119th running of the race.
In a separate development, jockey Yusuke Fujoka achieved his 49th JRA (Japan Racing Association) Grade 3 win with June Capture, marking a successful return to form at his preferred Kyoto track. Fujoka is set to retire on February 28, 2026.
Analysts suggest that the race favored horses with a strong early pace, and that the performance of front-running horses was particularly notable. Experts similarly highlighted the potential of certain four-year-old horses and the possibility of finding value in horses that had previously underperformed in Grade 1 races.
Trainer Katsumi Andō noted that Eru King appeared to be conditioned for longer distances, but his final speed was not enough to overcome the competition. This observation underscores the importance of matching a horse’s conditioning to the specific demands of the racecourse and distance.
Commentators also pointed to the significance of data and trends in predicting race outcomes, with one analyst suggesting that the sixth-place horse was a particularly strong contender for those seeking a less-favored, potentially high-reward pick.
