Monroe Walk is set to make history as she aims to become the first unbeaten filly in 24 years to win the Shuka Sho, the final leg of the Japanese fillies Triple Crown, at Kyoto Racecourse on October 18. The black Kizuna filly, trained by Hiroyuki Uemura, has maintained an undefeated record despite setbacks earlier in her career, including a fracture that forced her to miss the spring Classics of 2025.
Monroe Walk made a successful return in June, competing in three races over 1,800 meters and winning the first two under jockey Kazuo Yokoyama at Hakodate. She then impressed in the Grade 2 Rose Stakes at Hanshin on September 13, overcoming the challenges of a long return trip from Hokkaido and a notable weight loss. Reunited with jockey Keita Tosaki, who was aboard for her debut win, Monroe Walk continued her strong form with a commanding three-length victory in the Shuka Sho trial, beating another contender, Enne.
Trainer Uemura, who has claimed three feature race victories since his debut in 2019, expressed confidence in Monroe Walk’s conditioning and preparation. “She had the same workouts as before the Rose Stakes and I don’t feel a need to push her more,” Uemura told the Japan Racing Association website. “As long as she can maintain her condition, the results will follow.”
A win in the upcoming Shuka Sho, the 31st edition of the race, would also make Monroe Walk one of the few fillies to capture the title without having contested the first two legs of the Triple Crown, a feat last achieved by Vivlos in 2016. This year’s race features an unusually open field, as neither the winners of the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) nor the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) are competing. Oka Sho victor Star Anise ran in the Sprinters Stakes on September 27, finishing fourth, while Oaks winner Jurokyo Pierrot withdrew from the Shuka Sho due to illness. Jurokyo Pierrot notably propelled jockey Seina Imamura, the first female jockey in JRA history to win a Grade 1 race and a Japanese classic, into the spotlight.
Among the 18 fillies entered, six have participated in either the Oka Sho or Yushun Himba, including Oka Sho runner-up Garavogue and Oaks runner-up Dream Core. However, the biggest challengers may come from outside the Triple Crown ranks, such as Master Soarer, winner of the Grade 2 Shin Tosaka over 2,000 meters. The daughter of Siskin has shown versatility in recent outings, including a victory in the Shion Stakes at Nakayama where she defeated competitors Something Sweet and Dream Core.
Trainer Masayoshi Ebina, who won the Shuka Sho as a jockey in 2010, acknowledges Master Soarer’s nervous disposition but remains optimistic about her chances. “In the Shion Stakes, she rose to all the challenges—returning from time off, the distance, the clockwise track, heavy ground, and racing tightly amid the other runners—and she learnt a lot from that race,” he said. “She stayed calm after her most recent race and she’s completing her work as usual. This time we have her first long trip to the track, but I’ll have her in the shape that will help her handle any situation.”
With several contenders in form and key favorites absent, the Shuka Sho promises to be a competitive race as Monroe Walk seeks to extend her unbeaten streak and claim a rare spot in Japanese racing history.