Cavallerizzo

Cavallerizzo
カヴァレリッツォ
Cavallerizzo after winning the 2025 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
SireSaturnalia[1]
GrandsireLord Kanaloa[1]
DamBalladist[1]
DamsireHeart's Cry[1]
SexColt[1]
Foaled (2023-02-28) February 28, 2023[1]
CountryJapan[1]
ColorBay[1]
BreederNorthern Farm[1]
OwnerSilk Racing Co., Ltd.[2]
TrainerTatsuya Yoshioka[2]
Record5:2-1-0[2]
Earnings93,624,000 JPY[3]
Major wins
Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (2025)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Colt (2025)
Last updated on January 6, 2026

Cavallerizzo (Japanese: カヴァレリッツォ, Hepburn: Kavuarerittso; foaled February 28, 2023) is an active Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2025 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.[1][2] At the end of his 2025 season, he was awarded with the JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Colt.[4][5]

He was named after the Italian word "Cavallerizzo" which means "Horseman" in English.[3]

Background

On February 28, 2023, Cavallerizzo was born at Northern Farm in Abira, Hokkaido. He was syndicated in 2024, with Tatsuya Yoshioka as the intended trainer and a total offering price of 45 million yen (90,000 yen per share), offered by Silk Racing Co., Ltd.[6] Before his debut, Yoshioka commented, “The horse is well put together and looks like he will produce a great deal of speed. Based on physical evaluation, I’d say he can probably run from a mile until 2,000 meters.”[7]

Racing career

2025: two-year-old season

Cavallerizzo made his debut on August 31 at Chukyo Racecourse over a distance of 1,600 meters on turf, with Yuichi Kitamura booked as the jockey.[8] He settled in midfield as the race progressed and quickly navigated through a group of horses in the final stretch, drawing five lengths clear and scoring his debut victory.[9][10] Yuichi Kitamura commented, “He responds quickly. He’s got a good engine,” emphasizing a positive impression. Tatsuya Yoshioka looked back, saying, “He’s still rough around the edges, but he burst through a tight spot with his turn of foot.”[11] On social media, comments such as “So strong it gave me chills” and “The first time I’ve been this excited in a while” were posted, and it was a performance that led to expectations of him as a leading Classic contender.[12]

Cavallerizo was set to challenge the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes for his first graded stakes race.[13] He contested the race in a new partnership with Cristian Demuro, who was in Japan on a short-term jockey license.[14] When the race started, he was slow out of the gates and failed to settle, ending up racing from the rear of the field early. Nearing the third corner, he moved up to near the front of the field and kept his positioning through the fourth corner. Entering the stretch, he broke through from the inside, but he was unable to win the hard-fought battle with Admire Quads, who came with a furious late charge even further inside, and was defeated by a head, finishing second.[15][16] Cristian Demuro commented, “I sent him to the inside and had him run under cover. In the straight he had a good turn of foot, but once he drew alongside the other horse at the finish there was a point where he wanted to drift out. I think he needs to grow mentally,” pointing out an area for development.[17][18]

On December 1, Cavallerizzo's camp announced that he would take on the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.[19] After his final workout, Yoshioka said, “We wanted to check his mental side and he was good,” and “Even at a time of day when the track condition was poor, he came back looking no different than usual. I only saw him through the monitor, but his balance looked good as well,” conveying a positive mood.[20][21] On December 21, on the day of the race, in a wide-open betting situation, he went off as the second favorite behind Admire Quads. During the race he stayed on the inside in mid-division and went into the stretch in that position. When he found a path along the innermost rail, he went past the front-running Diamond Knot just before the finish and achieved his first graded stakes and grade one victory.[22] This was also the first grade one stakes victory for a progeny of Saturnalia.[23] Cristian Demuro praised him, saying, “I figured some space will open up in the inside. He was making a good run entering the stretch. Once we went up fairly close to the front, Christophe Lemaire’s horse (Diamond Knot) was showing a good turn of foot, so I was a little worried about whether we could catch him, but in the end the horse really tried hard and caught him firmly.”[24] Yoshioka, for his part, said, “He’s easy to handle and doesn’t cause any trouble. In that respect he’s similar, and his speed also comes from his sire,” pointing to the elements inherited from Saturnalia, whom he had looked after in his days as an assistant trainer, and added, “He should manage up to 2,000 meters as well as long has he keeps calm. The way he can properly correct his issues even in a short time makes me feel his potential,” expressing his hopes for further development.[25]

2026: three-year-old season

Cavallerizzo would have made his season debut at the Satsuki Sho in April. This time he would be ridden by Damian Lane.[26] He was the third favorite before the race started. As the race progress, the horse secured a good position came into the final phase of the race. When he reached the final straight, he faltered and slowed down to the line which ended up in 13th-place.[27] Lane commented that he used all his energy for the positioning which causing him to lost the ground at the final straight. He also said that 2000 metres distance might too long for him.[27]

His next race was NHK Mile Cup where he partnered jockey Atsuya Nishimura, who recently finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby with Danon Bourbon, for the first time. With Nishimura jockey aboard Cavallerizzo he clocked 58,9 seconds for four furlongs at Ritto Training Center on the 6th May. Even while facing the challenge of a short two week break after Satsuki Sho and transportation to Tokyo his trainer said with confidence, "Tokyo's 1600 meters is a course where there's nowhere to hide and the best horse wins. As a two-year-old champion, we want to produce a performance worthy of that title."[28]

When the race started American-bred Yu Pharaoh took the early lead and set the pace.[29] Cavallerizzo, who started as the fifth favorite, settled well at around seventh place and saved ground, while Happy Angel and New Zealand Trophy winner Reservation closely followed the leader. With about 200 meters left third favorite Diamond Knot quickly moved forward and took the lead. Sixth favorite Admire Quads who sat at around seventh, launched forward and overtook him in the final 100 meters. From around the fourth from behind, Rodeo Drive and slightly closer to the front Ask Ikigomi accelerated and begun rapidly closing on the leaders, gradually overtaking other horses one by one, and the two of them finished in close photo finish, where Rodeo Drive claimed victory by a margin of just a nose.[30] Cavallerizzo was unable to show his usual finishing kick, and lost with margin of 1.3 seconds the from the winner Rodeo Drive,[31] who is also sired by Saturnalia, and finished 12th.[32] After the race Atsuya Nishimura commented on the race, saying, “He was a little too hyped up. I feel like that's why we lost.”[33]

Racing statistics

Below data is based on data available on JBIS Search,[34] and NetKeiba.[35]

Date Track Race Grade Distance
(Condition)		 Entry HN Odds
(Favored)		 Finish Time Margins Jockey Winner
(Runner-up)
2025 – two-year-old season
Aug 31 Chukyo 2YO Debut 1,600 m (Firm) 14 8 3.0 (1) 1st 1:34.2 -0.8 Yuichi Kitamura (Taisei Astro)
Nov 15 Kyoto Daily Hai 2YOS GII 1,600 m (Firm) 8 7 2.6 (2) 2nd 1:33.1 0.0 Cristian Demuro Admire Quads
Dec 21 Hanshin Asahi Hai FS GI 1,600 m (Yielding) 14 8 3.6 (2) 1st 1:33.2 -0.1 Cristian Demuro (Diamond Knot)
2026 – third-year-old season
Apr 19 Nakayama Satsuki Sho GI 2,000 m (Firm) 18 1 6.1 (3) 13th 1:57.6 1.1 Damian Lane Lovcen
May 10 Tokyo NHK Mile Cup GI 1,600 m (Firm) 18 4 9.3 (5th) 12th 1:32.4 1.3 Atsuya Nishimura Rodeo Drive

Legend:
  Turf

Notes:

Pedigree

Pedigree of Cavallerizzo (JPN), Bay colt, 2023[36]
Sire
Saturnalia
dk. b. 2016		 Lord Kanaloa
b. 2008		 King Kamehameha Kingmambo (USA)
Manfath (IRE)
Lady Blossom Storm Cat (USA)
Saratoga Dew (USA)
Cesario
blk. 2002		 Special Week Sunday Silence (USA)
Campaign Girl
Kirov Premiere (GB) Sadler's Wells (USA)
Querida (IRE)
Dam
Balladist
dk. b. 2016		 Heart's Cry
b. 2001		 Sunday Silence (USA) Halo
Wishing Well
Irish Dance Tony Bin (IRE)
Buper Dance (USA)
Balada Sale (ARG)
b. 2008		 Not For Sale Parade Marshal (USA)
Love for Sale
La Balada Confidential Talk (USA)
La Baraca (Family: 7)[37]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Cavallerizzo(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cavallerizzo | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  3. 1 2 "競走馬情報　JRA". www.jra.go.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  4. ↑ "年度代表馬はフォーエバーヤング！ ダート主戦場の馬としては史上初 カランダガンと横山典弘に特別賞【受賞馬&得票数一覧】". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2026-01-06. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  5. ↑ "「2025年度JRA賞」決定！年度代表馬はフォーエバーヤング！ JRA". jra.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-06.
  6. ↑ "Balladist 2023" (PDF). silkhorseclub.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  7. ↑ "ノーザンファーム産最速初陣目指すカヴァレリッツォ 吉岡師「非常にスピードがありそう」/うま屋/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2025-05-23. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  8. ↑ "サトノアイボリーは３１日の中京５Ｒで初陣 杉山晴師「仕上がりはいい方。楽しみ」/うま屋/デイリースポーツ online". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2025-08-20. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  9. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-08-31). "【2歳新馬・中京6R】カヴァレリッツォが内突いて5馬身差の圧勝". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  10. ↑ 原田竣矢 (2025-09-01). "カヴァレリッツォが圧勝デビュー おじにサトノフラッグ、おばはサトノレイナス／新馬戦 - ２歳馬特集 | 競馬 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  11. ↑ "【中京新馬戦】カヴァレリッツォ 5馬身差の圧勝 北村友も高性能強調「いいエンジンを持っている」 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex ギャンブル". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). 2025-09-01. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  12. ↑ "「強すぎて震えた」「久しぶりに興奮」中京の新馬戦を圧勝したカヴァレリッツォにクラシック有力候補の声". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2025-08-31. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  13. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-10-10). "【2歳次走報】初戦5馬身差Vのカヴァレッリオはデイリー杯2歳Sへ". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  14. ↑ "【デイリー杯２歳Ｓ】武豊騎手のアイガーリーは４枠４番 デビュー戦を圧勝したカヴァレリッツォは７枠７番に". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2025-11-14. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  15. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-11-15). "【デイリー杯2歳S】アドマイヤクワッズが勝負強さを発揮し無傷V2". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  16. ↑ 木村有三 (2025-11-15). "レコードＶだ！アドマイヤクワッズがデビュー２連勝で重賞初制覇／デイリー杯２歳Ｓ - ２歳馬特集 | 競馬 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  17. ↑ "【デイリー杯２歳Ｓ】（京都）後方で脚を溜めたアドマイヤクワッズが、内を鋭く突いてレコード勝ち｜競馬実況web｜競馬｜ラジオNIKKEI". ラジオNIKKEI (in Japanese). 2025-11-15. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  18. ↑ "【デイリー杯2歳S】カヴァレリッツォはマッチレースの末2着惜敗 Cデムーロ「精神面の成長は必要」". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2025-11-15. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  19. ↑ 奥岡幹浩 (2025-12-01). "カヴァレリッツォは12・21朝日杯FSへ、デイリー杯２歳Ｓ２着馬／有力馬情報 - ２歳馬特集 | 競馬 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  20. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-12-18). "【朝日杯FS】追って一言". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  21. ↑ "【朝日杯ＦＳ】カヴァレリッツォが坂路で好仕上がりを誇示 吉岡調教師「前走前より落ち着いて走れている」". スポーツ報知 (in Japanese). 2025-12-20. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  22. ↑ 太田尚樹 (2025-12-21). "【朝日杯FS】カヴァレリッツォが２歳マイル王！雨中の激戦制した - ２歳馬特集 | 競馬 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  23. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-12-21). "【朝日杯FS】カヴァレリッツォが中団から差し切り2歳マイル王！サートゥルナーリア産駒はGＩ初制覇". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  24. ↑ "【朝日杯フューチュリティS】カヴァレリッツォ差し切りV！内から鋭伸 2歳マイル決戦を制しG1初制覇 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex ギャンブル". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). 2025-12-21. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  25. ↑ INC, SANKEI DIGITAL (2025-12-22). "【朝日杯FS】2番人気カヴァレリッツォ、ゴール前差し切り2歳マイル王襲名 C・デムーロ騎手「本当に強い」". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  26. ↑ "Damian Lane arrives in Japan, set to partner Cavallerizzo in G1 Satsuki Sho". netkeiba. 17 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  27. 1 2 "【皐月賞】3番人気カヴァレリッツォはラスト失速で無念13着…レーン「道中の折り合いが」" [[Satsuki Sho] Third favorite Cavallizzo faltered in the final stretch and finished a disappointing 13th... Lane: "He didn't settle down well during the race."]. netkeiba (in Japanese). 19 April 2026. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
  28. ↑ "Cavallerizzo targets G1 NHK Mile Cup rebound with Atsuya Nishimura aboard after G1 Satsuki Sho defeat | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  29. ↑ "Yu Pharoah | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  30. ↑ "2026.05.10 Rodeo Drive Captures NHK Mile Cup in Dramatic Photo-finish - News - Horse Racing in Japan". japanracing.jp. Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  31. ↑ "NHK MILE CUP (G1) Full Result | 10 MAY 2026 R11 Tokyo Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  32. ↑ "Rodeo Drive Pedigree | Horse Profile". netkeiba. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  33. ↑ "【NHKマイルCレース後コメント】ロデオドライブ D.レーン騎手ら | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-07-23.
  34. ↑ "Race Records | Cavallerizzo(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  35. ↑ "Cavallerizzo Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  36. ↑ "Five-generation Pedigree Table | Pedigree | Cavallerizzo(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  37. ↑ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Blacklegs Royal Mare – Family 7". Bloodlines.net. Archived from the original on 2025-02-06. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
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