Redentor (horse)
| Redentor ヘデントール | |
|---|---|
 Redentor after winning 2025 Tenno Sho (Spring) | |
| Sire | Rulership |
| Grandsire | King Kamehameha |
| Dam | Corcovado |
| Damsire | Stay Gold |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 6 April 2021[1] |
| Country | Japan |
| Colour | Dark Bay |
| Breeder | Northern Farm |
| Owner | U Carrot Farm Ltd. |
| Racing colours |  |
| Trainer | Tetsuya Kimura |
| Record | 11: 6-2-0 |
| Earnings | ¥516,101,000 |
| Major wins | |
| Diamond Stakes (2025) Tennō Shō (Spring) (2025) | |
Redentor (Japanese: ヘデントール, Hepburn: Hedentōru; foaled 6 April 2021) is an active Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. He is best known for his capabilities in long-distance races, having both won the Diamond Stakes and Tenno Sho (Spring) in 2025 (Both races are 3000 metres and above). Redentor was also runner-up to Urban Chic in the 2024 Kikuka Sho.[2][3]
Background
Redentor was foaled out of Corcovado, a mare who won five races and placed in another seven out of 16 races in her career.[4][5] Her sire was Stay Gold, who won the 2001 Dubai Sheema Classic and Hong Kong Vase. His sire was Rulership, who was 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner.[6] Rulership was sired by King Kamehameha, the leading sire in Japan in 2010 and 2011.[7]
Redentor's name is derived from the Portuguese word for redeemer, referring to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Corcovado.[8]
Racing career
Two-year-old season (2023)
Redentor made his debut with Christophe Lemaire as his jockey in a 2000 metre turf race at Tokyo Racecourse. In this race, he stayed calm at the back until the fourth corner where he sprinted, but was ultimately beaten by future Satsuki Sho winner, Justin Milano to the line.[9]
Three-year-old season (2024)
In his second race, Redentor raced in a 2000 metre turf race at Nakayama Racecourse. Utilizing a similar strategy as before, he settled calmly in the back and broke away at the final stretch to secure his first career victory.[10] He repeated this success again in his next race with a victory of three lengths ahead of his competitors.[11] He then entered in his first graded race, the Aoba Sho, jockeyed by UAE champion jockey, Tadhg O'Shea. They aimed for a gate-to-wire finish but ran out of steam in the final straight and finished eighth.[12] Redentor was with Lemaire for the next two races, winning both the Machida Tokubetsu and Nihonkai Stakes convincingly.[13][14] These two wins qualified Redentor for open class and earned him a spot in the Kikuka Sho.[14][15] In that race, Redentor was paired with Keita Tosaki, starting slowly and chasing early on, but gradually made steady progress as the race went on and ended up second, two and a half lengths behind Urban Chic.[16] Meanwhile, Keita Tosaki stated that his preparations and conditions were excellent, and he regretted that he could not get the victory.[17]
Four-year-old season (2025)
Redentor made his season debut on February 22 in the Diamond Stakes, a 3400 metre turf race held in Tokyo Racecourse. He maintained a good position throughout before fully accelerating on the third bend to pull away from his competitors for his fifth career win.[18] This win established him as a heavy contender for the Tenno Sho (Spring) that year.[19] Partnered with Damian Lane, who was riding on a short-term license from JRA, they settled mostly between sixth and seventh place. Lane kept Redentor inside on the fence until the final 1000 metres where he shifted to the outside and improved his position to join the front group. In the final stretch, he battled against Byzantine Dream, jockeyed by Andrasch Starke. Redentor took the lead over Byzantine Dream at the 200 metre mark and held on to secure his first Grade 1 career victory.[20] Following this win, Redentor gained entries for several international races, including the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Juddmonte International. However, he had to pull out from both due to several factors such as bone fractures and lameness.[21][22] These injuries sidelined Redentor for the rest of the season.[23] Despite his injuries, Redentor's name was registered for the Arima Kinen, securing him a spot as the tenth highest voted horse, and earning an automatic qualification into the race.[24] This event caused an uproar among the community as Redentor's qualification blocked out several horses from competing, notably Lilac, who was sat in eleventh in the vote and had to qualify via prize money, where she sat far below several other horses.[25]
Five-year-old season (2026)
After a long layoff since last May, Redentor was prepared for his season opener at the Kyoto Kinen.[26] In the race, Redentor stayed mostly at the back and managed to mark the lead pack, but he was not sharp as expected and he failed to accelerate well in the final straight. He finished in eighth place, his first time he finished outside the podium since the 2024 Aoba Sho.[27] Lemaire, who returned as his jockey, noted that Redentor ran a good race, but the pack made him unstable on the third and fourth corner, although he was gaining momentum towards the end.[28] In May, he would try to defend his crown in the Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto.[29] From the gate 12, Redentor mostly stayed at the ninth position. He showed effort by moving up the field on final spurt but he was no match from the leading pack, ended up in fifth place on the day.[30] Lemaire commented that he ran calmly in the middle phase but losing some momentum towards the end whilst his trainer Kimura praised his effort for running as hard as he could.[31]
Racing form
Redentor has won six out of eleven of his career starts. The below data compiled is based on JBIS and netkeiba.[2][3]
| Date | Track | Race | Grade | Distance (Condition) |
Entry | HN | Odds (Favored) |
Finish | Time | Margin | Jockey | Winner (Runner-up) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 – two-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Nov 18 | Tokyo | 2YO Debut | 2,000m (Firm) | 14 | 6 | 4.4 (3) | 2nd | 2:02.3 | 0.3 | Christophe Lemaire | Justin Milano | |
| 2024 – three-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Jan 13 | Nakayama | 3YO Maiden | 2,000m (Firm) | 17 | 9 | 1.9 (1) | 1st | 2:00.2 | –0.4 | Christophe Lemaire | (Shonan Natsuzora) | |
| Mar 9 | Nakayama | 3YO Allowance | 1W | 2,000m (Soft) | 11 | 3 | 1.4 (1) | 1st | 2:01.9 | –0.5 | Christophe Lemaire | (Yamanin Ad Hoc) |
| Apr 27 | Tokyo | Aoba Sho | 2 | 2,400m (Firm) | 17 | 9 | 3.5 (1) | 8th | 2:24.8 | 0.6 | Tadhg O'Shea | Sugar Kun |
| Jun 16 | Tokyo | Machida Tokubetsu | 2W | 2,400m (Firm) | 7 | 5 | 1.3 (1) | 1st | 2:26.9 | –0.3 | Christophe Lemaire | (Taisei Feerique) |
| Aug 17 | Niigata | Nihonkai Stakes | 3W | 2,200m (Firm) | 9 | 9 | 1.6 (1) | 1st | 2:12.4 | –0.6 | Christophe Lemaire | (Night in London) |
| Oct 20 | Kyoto | Kikuka Sho | 1 | 3,000m (Firm) | 18 | 16 | 7.1 (4) | 2nd | 3:04.5 | 0.4 | Keita Tosaki | Urban Chic |
| 2025 – four-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Feb 22 | Tokyo | Diamond Stakes | 3 | 3,400m (Firm) | 16 | 8 | 1.9 (1) | 1st | 3:32.2 | –0.7 | Keita Tosaki | (Jean Kazuma) |
| May 4 | Kyoto | Tennō Shō (Spring) | 1 | 3,200m (Firm) | 15 | 6 | 3.1 (1) | 1st | 3:14.2 | 0.0 | Damian Lane | (Byzantine Dream) |
| 2026 – five-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Feb 15 | Kyoto | Kyoto Kinen | 2 | 2,200m (Firm) | 12 | 1 | 3.8 (1) | 8th | 2:13.6 | 0.9 | Christophe Lemaire | June Take |
| May 3 | Kyoto | Tennō Shō (Spring) | 1 | 3,200m (Firm) | 15 | 12 | 5.0 (3) | 5th | 3:14.1 | 0.4 | Christophe Lemaire | Croix du Nord |
Legend:
Turf
Pedigree
| Sire Rulership (JPN) 2007 |
King Kamehameha (JPN) 2001 |
Kingmambo | Mr. Prospector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miesque | |||
| Manfath | Last Tycoon | ||
| Pilot Bird | |||
| Air Groove (JPN) 1993 |
Tony Bin | Kampala | |
| Severn Bridge | |||
| Dyna Carle | Northern Taste | ||
| Shadai Feather | |||
| Dam Corcovado (JPN) 2013 FNo: 17-b[32] |
Stay Gold (JPN) 1994 |
Sunday Silence | Halo |
| Wishing Well | |||
| Golden Sash | Dictus | ||
| Dyna Sash | |||
| Ancient Hill (JPN) 2001 |
End Sweep | Forty Niner | |
| Broom Dance | |||
| Aztec Hill | Proud Truth | ||
| Tribal Hill |
- Redentor is inbred 4 x 5 to Mr. Prospector (Forty Niner's sire) and 4 x 5 to Northern Taste (Dyna Sash's sire)
References
- 1 2 "=Redentor (JPN)". www.equineline.com. The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Race Records | Redentor(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- 1 2 "Redentor Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Corcovado(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Stay Gold(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Rulership(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ Takahashi, Masakazu (10 August 2019). "Japan loses another sire legend as King Kamehameha dies aged 18 | Racing Post". www.racingpost.com. Spotlight Sports Group. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "ヘデントール - Carrot Club" [Redentor - Carrot Club]. carrotclub.net (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "【東京5R新馬戦結果】キズナ産駒のジャスティンミラノがデビューV！ | 競馬ニュース" [Tokyo 5R New Horse Race Results] Kizuna's son Justin Milano wins his debut!]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "3yo Maiden Full Result | 13 JAN 2024 R6 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "3yo ALW (1 Win) Full Result | 09 MAR 2024 R7 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ Pawar, Sumita (30 April 2024). "Sugar Kun Triumphs In TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho". tenfurlongsmagazine.com. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "【町田特別】（東京）圧倒的支持に応えてヘデントールが快勝｜競馬実況web｜競馬｜ラジオNIKKEI" [[Machida Special] (Tokyo) Redentor wins with overwhelming support]. ラジオNIKKEI (in Japanese). 16 June 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- 1 2 "【日本海S】ヘデントールが快勝でオープン入り この日7勝大暴れのルメール「重賞を狙える馬」 | 競馬ニュース" [[Nihonkai S] Hedentor enters the open class with a comfortable win. Lemaire, who won 7 races on the day, said, "This horse can aim for the major prize."]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 17 August 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ Goda, Naohiro (20 October 2024). "The Hong Kong Jockey Club". racing.hkjc.com. The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Kikuka Sho: Urban Chic Triumphs in the Final Leg of Japan's Triple Crown | JAPAN Forward". japan-forward.com. Japan Forward Association Inc. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "【菊花賞】ヘデントールが激しい２着争いを制す 戸崎圭太「勝てなかったことだけが残念」" [[Kikuka Sho] Redentor wins a fierce battle for second place. Keita Tosaki: "The only thing I regret is that I couldn't win"]. 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "【ダイヤモンドS】ヘデントールが圧巻の4馬身差V！重賞初制覇で春のGＩ戦線へ弾み" [[Diamond Stakes] Redentor wins by four lengths! First Graded Stakes victory gives him a springboard for the spring G1 races]. サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Sankei Digital Inc. 22 February 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ Anderson, Heather (2 May 2025). "Redentor Holds The Key In Tenno Sho". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ Hawkins, Andrew (5 May 2025). "International Options Aplenty For Redentor After Tenno Sho Success". Idol Horse. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "G1 winning Redentor suffers setback after Arc withdrawal, G1 Japan Cup remains autumn target | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Redentor withdraws from G1 International Stakes due to fracture | Horse Racing News". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "春の天皇賞馬ヘデントールの復帰は来年に【次走報】" [Spring Emperor's Cup winner Redentor's return expected next year [Next Race Report]]. 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). Tokyo Sports. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Japanese Racing Fans' Favorite Runners Conclude 2025 In Arima Kinen". paulickreport.com. Blenheim Publishing, LLC. 24 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "有馬記念が大混乱…「ヘデントール登録」で弾かれたライラック。"ファン投票の意義"が問われる大騒動に発展したワケ（週刊SPA!）" [The Arima Kinen was a huge mess... Lilac was rejected due to the "Redentor registration." This led to a huge uproar that called into question the "significance of fan voting."]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). 24 December 2025. Archived from the original on 24 December 2025. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
- ↑ "Redentor fully primed for G2 Kyoto Kinen despite long layoff". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 12 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ↑ ""I was just hoping nothing would come past," Fujioka guides June Take to G2 Kyoto Kinen glory in farewell season". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ↑ "【京都記念】4角最後方のヘデントールは8着に沈む ルメール騎手「最後はジワジワ来ていたけど」 | 競馬ニュース" [[Kyoto Kinen] Redentor, who was at the back of the pack at the final corner, finished in 8th place. Jockey Christophe Lemaire said, "He was slowly gaining momentum at the end."]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 15 February 2026.
- ↑ "Redentor works in three-horse company at Miho ahead of G1 Tenno Sho (Spring)". netkeiba. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ "Croix du Nord Lands Narrow Victory in Tenno Sho (Spring)". japanracing.jp. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "【天皇賞・春】ヘデントール5着 伸び欠き連覇ならず…ルメール「直線はジリジリ伸びた」" [[Tenno Sho (Spring)] Redentor finishes 5th, lacking acceleration to avoid a second consecutive victory... Lemaire: "He gradually gained ground in the straight."]. netkeiba (in Japanese). 4 May 2026. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
- ↑ "Five-generation Pedigree Table | Pedigree | Redentor(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 29 December 2025.