Sanono Greater won the Radio NIKKEI Sho GIII at Fukushima Racecourse on Sunday, setting a new course record in the process [1].
The victory marks a significant return for jockey Hironobu Tanabe, who secured his first graded stakes win of the year in his home prefecture [2].
Running on the 1,800-meter turf track [1], Sanono Greater entered the race as the first favorite [2]. The horse finished with a winning time of 1:45.2 [1], establishing a new record for the course.
Tanabe's performance comes shortly after a period of absence from the saddle. He returned to competition this week after recovering from an injury that sidelined him for one month [1]. Winning a GIII race in the first week of his return underscores both the horse's capability and the jockey's rapid recovery of form [2].
The event took place on June 28, 2026 [1]. The combination of the favorite's dominance and the record-breaking time highlights the high level of performance displayed during the race at Fukushima [1], [2].
“Sanono Greater won the Radio NIKKEI Sho GIII at Fukushima Racecourse on Sunday, setting a new course record.”
The establishment of a course record by Sanono Greater indicates a peak in performance that may position the horse for higher-tier stakes races. For Hironobu Tanabe, the victory validates his physical readiness and competitive edge immediately following a medical hiatus, eliminating concerns about his form after a month away from racing.
