Witnessed by their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, in their first attendance since 2005, Eishin Flash swept under the wire to capture this year's Tenno Sho (Autumn)—a much awaited victory after winless for two years and five months since his Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) triumph in 2010. Struggling under pressure, his runner-up effort in the 2011 Arima Kinen was followed by a sixth in the Dubai World Cup, his first race this season, and another sixth in the Takarazuka Kinen. He had also come off a disappointing ninth in his previous race and first start of his autumn campaign, the Mainichi Okan (G2), and was sent off fifth favorite in double digit odds in this race.Italian jockey Mirco Demuro, most known for his triumphs with Victoire Pisa in the 2010 Arima Kinen and the 2011 Dubai World Cup, celebrated his seventh JRA G1 victory. It is the third consecutive year that a foreign jockey has claimed the Tenno Sho (Autumn) title. This is the fourth career G1 title for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara since Eishin Flash's 2010 Tokyo Yushun.

Beneath drizzly skies, the race got underway with Silport immediately in the front as expected, while undefeated three-year-old Curren Black Hill, breaking well from an outer gate, hesitantly pursued the leader with Daiwa Falcon a few lengths behind. As the front runner further expanded his lead down the backstretch, Fenomeno headed the trailing group in fourth, while Eishin Flash settled in mid-field close to the rails, Dark Shadow a length in front of him, and second favored Rulership cruising wide near the rear of the field.

Putting at least 15 lengths between the closest pursuer and himself as he made the last two turns, Silport desperately held on to his lead with Curren Black Hill and Daiwa Falcon in a duel for second with 400 meters to go. As Silport steadily weakened from his early efforts, Eishin Flash steamed into the picture driven along the rail with Fenomeno, also charging down the straight, both catched the dueling pair from either sides before picking off the leader 150 meters out. Under Demuro's right hand encouragement, Eishin Flash continued his stupendous kick to hold off three-year-old Fenomeno by 1/2-length. Attacking the stretch near the rear after racing wide throughout, Rulership showed a powerful late charge to dig in for third 1-1/4 lengths to that, while Curren Black Hill found another gear in the last 100 meters and held on gamely only to give in to Rulership and Dark Shadow, who showed good acceleration down the lane after turning for home in mid-pack, notching a close fourth before Curren Black Hill at the wire.

Other Horses:
6th: (11) Just a Way—traveled off the pace in 6th, maintained effort in final stage
7th: (8) Jaguar Mail—sat toward rear, showed good response, too late
8th: (5) Sadamu Patek—held in mid-pack by rail, passed tired rivals at stretch
9th: (1) Nakayama Knight—settled behind winner, good effort at stretch but never threatened
10th: (9) Daiwa Falcon—camped 3rd, fought willingly, but outrun by rivals last 100m
11th: (7) Earnestly—hugged rail in 5th, even paced after entering lane
12th: (2) Silport—set pace, 15-length gap at one point, came up empty 150m out
13th: (15) Tosen Jordan—settled outside winner in mid-field, one paced at stretch
14th: (3) Never Bouchon—saved ground in 2nd from last, unable to reach contention
15th: (10) Federalist—raced in mid-pack, showed little at stretch
16th: (17) Meiner Starry—sat in rear, never a factor
17th: (14) Transwarp—traveled 3w, never better than mid-division
18th: (18) To the Glory—trailed behind from widest draw, gradually improved position, dropped back at stretch

Historic Tenno Sho runs in presence of Emperor

Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday, October 28, was once again graced with a visit by Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, who attended the 146th running of the Tenno Sho (Autumn), one of Japan's most prestigious races. It was the second time in seven years that Their Majesties had attended the race. Their visit in 2005 had marked the first time in 106 years for an emperor to attend the race that is named for him.

Rain had been predicted for most of the day and worries that the festivities on such a historical day would be marred. However, rain early in the day did little to affect the track condition and abated shortly after noon with only sporadic drizzle until evening.

Their Majesties entered Tokyo Racecourse sometime after 1 p.m. under dry skies and, with the guidance of Japan Racing Association President Kenji Tsuchikawa, enjoyed detailed explanations of the events and the day's racing.

In addition to the main event of the day, the race itself, a showing of two ancient traditions that have been designated intangible folk cultural assets of Japan had been organized to commemorate Their Majesties' visit and the 150th year of modern-day racing in Japan

After the 18 horses of the Tenno Sho field entered the track shortly before 3:30 p.m. and made their to the holding area behind the starting gate, the appearance of Their Majesties on the balcony in the top tiers of the stands just past the finish line was announced. Heads turned craning to catch a glimpse and the stands broke out in applause as Their Majesties waved to the crowd below.

A procession of five horses, banners, and members representing two organizations preserving traditional equine festivals of Japan then moved slowly down the homestretch as they made their way toward the finish line. Decorated horses and people dressed in garb from ancient times had traveled to Tokyo from Fukushima and Iwate Prefectures in the north. Soma Nomaoi Soma Nomaoi

One festival represented was the famous Soma Nomaoi of the town of Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, a traditional horse-breeding region. The area was devastated by the tsunami of March 2011 and many of the people and horses involved in the famous three-day festival lost their lives. Sunday's procession was also a tribute to those lost and a reminder of the continued battle to rebuild in the stricken region. The Soma Nomaoi is said to have its origins in the early 10th century during the Warring States Period and includes samurai horsemen racing in armor and carrying swords and a competition in which several hundred horsemen compete for shrine flags shot into the air with fireworks.

Also represented in the procession at Tokyo Racecourse were the brightly colored harnesses, bells and draft horses of the Chagu Chagu Umako festival, a festival from the Morioka area in Iwate Prefecture, another horse-breeding region of Japan. The festival was begun some 200 years ago in recognition of those horses that had toiled alongside the farmers in the rice paddies and was held after the finish of the rice planting.

The highlight of the day, however, came after the running of the race and what a highlight it was. Winning the race was the 5-year-old and fifth choice of the race Eishin Flash. In the saddle was Italian rider Mirco Demuro, a familiar name in Japan and winner of a number of top-level Japanese races. Overwhelmed with joy at his win, the third fall Tenno Sho win by a foreign winner in a row, a visibly sobbing Demuro made his way slowly back on horseback to the stands and, regaining his composure, he repeatedly took his hands from the reins to form a heart with both hands. Demuro's gesture, which many believed to have been a rising sun symbolizing Japan, was, he said, an expression of his "love for Japan." As Demuro and Eishin Flash reached a spot just past the Tokyo finish line, unlike in 2005, when Mikio Matsunaga removed his helmet and bowed to Their Majesties while he remained in the saddle, Demuro slipped off the horse and dropped to the ground on one knee. Helmet in hand he bowed deeply to Their Majesties, who greeted the jockey's respects with applause. A roar of applause and shouts rang out from the packed stands as well.

Though dismounting before weighing in is in normal circumstances considered an infraction by the JRA, Demuro's gesture, though unexpected, was seen for what it was, a gesture of the highest respect along Western customs. There were no complaints. If anyone could have upstaged Matsunaga's historical moment in 2005 before Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, how fitting for it to be a gentleman of a rider from a country with an imperial history of its own. Chagu Chagu Umako Chagu Chagu Umako

JRA President Kenji Tsuchikawa commented on what had been a perfect day, "Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan honored us with their visit to Tokyo Racecourse for the 146th running of the Tenno Sho (Autumn), events celebrating equine traditions of eastern Japan, and in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of modern racing in Japan. For us of the Japan Racing Association, this was a true joy and a great honor. And from here on, I will strive with renewed conviction, to further the development of JRA racing."

Mitsuru Hashida, head of the Japan Trainers' Association, also called the visit by Their Majesties, "a great honor." Hashida, a highly successful trainer based at the Ritto Training Center in western Japan, said, "All members of the stables will endeavor to produce good horses, and, in aiming to produce racing of an international level, we hope to continually strive to further the sound development of racing."

Yutaka Take, as head of the Japan Jockeys' Association, also made an official comment early in the day. "It was an incredible honor to have the presence of Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan at Tokyo Racecourse. I had the great pleasure of meeting Their Majesties and I hope to be able to ride to the best of my ability in the hopes of showing them some fantastic racing."