Lemon Pop ensures his place among pantheon of Godolphin greats

Lemon Pop enjoyed a fairytale end to his glittering career as he successfully defended his G1 Champions Cup title in Japan on Sunday.

The six-year-old was honoured with a retirement ceremony after racing at Chukyo following his exhilarating nose success, a victory that saw him become only the second horse to win back-to-back editions of the Champions Cup.

He retires to take up stallion duties at Darley Japan with an exceptional record of 13 wins from 18 career starts for Hiroyasu Tanaka, with his six most recent victories all coming at G1 level on the JRA and NAR circuits.

Lemon Pop was crowned Japan’s Champion Dirt Horse for 2023 after becoming the fourth horse to win both JRA G1 dirt races in the same year, in addition to a sensational win in the NAR G1 Mile Championship Nambu Hai. He looks the leading contender for the same award in 2024.

A particularly good weekend for Godolphin runners on dirt also saw two homebred juveniles advertise their Classic ambitions at Churchill Downs on Saturday.

Good Cheer stretched her unbeaten record to four with another impressive display in the G2 Golden Rod Stakes, a victory that propelled the Medaglia d’Oro filly to the top of the early Kentucky Oaks points standings.

First Resort continued his progressive profile with a decisive win in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. Returning to Churchill Downs for the first Saturday in May is the ultimate dream for the Uncle Mo colt.

Loved secured an important first Graded success at the same course on Thanksgiving Day as she beat Tarifa in the G3 Falls City Stakes. A half-sister to Maxfield, Loved will hopefully make a valuable addition to Godolphin’s broodmare ranks over the coming months.

Hong Kong hosts its flagship international meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday and Marquisat will be hoping to emulate Mastery with victory in the G1 Hong Kong Vase.