Date: January 4, 2026 Venue: Nakayama Racecourse Distance: 2,000m (Turf)
The Japanese racing calendar for 2026 kicked off in dramatic fashion at Nakayama Racecourse on Sunday. The 75th running of the Nakayama Kimpai (G3) delivered a finish that required a lengthy photo review to separate the winner from the runner-up.
While our previous race overview highlighted the competitive nature of this handicap event, few could have predicted a margin of just two centimeters would decide the first graded stakes of the year. Here is a detailed review of how the race unfolded and what the results signify for the season ahead.
Race Result Summary
In a field of 14 runners, it was the 7th favorite, the four-year-old colt Karamatianos (sire: Rey de Oro), who claimed victory under jockey Akihide Tsumura.
Karamatianos held off a ferocious late charge from the race favorite, Angola Black, to win by a nose—specifically, a margin of approximately 2cm according to the JRA judge’s review. The winning time was 2:00.3 on Firm turf.
Grandia (4th favorite) finished a neck behind in third, while the well-backed Canella Fina (2nd favorite) could only manage fourth, 1 1/2 lengths off the pace.
Official Payouts & Data
- Winner: #11 Karamatianos (Odds: 14.8)
- 2nd: #2 Angola Black (Odds: 3.2)
- 3rd: #8 Grandia (Odds: 7.8)
Key Moments of the Race
The race began with a crucial tactical decision. Peacewan Duc (#5), ridden by veteran Yoshitomi Shibata, assumed the lead, setting a measured pace. The first 1,000m was covered in 1:00.5, a slightly slow-to-average tempo that allowed the field to remain relatively compact.
The defining moment for the winner came early. Karamatianos, usually known for settling further back, broke sharply. Jockey Akihide Tsumura took advantage, positioning the colt in a handy spot (roughly 4th or 5th position) through the first two corners.
As the field approached the final corners (3rd and 4th), the pace quickened. Karamatianos began to advance on the outside, moving into a striking position as they swung into the straight.
In the final 200 meters, Karamatianos hit the front, but the incline at Nakayama took its toll. Angola Black, who had been threading through traffic from mid-pack, unleashed the fastest final 3-furlong drive of the race (34.1 seconds). The two horses hit the wire in unison, with Grandia also closing rapidly on the outside.
Performance of Key Contenders
1st: Karamatianos (#11)
- Jockey: Akihide Tsumura | Trainer: Takeshi Okumura
- Weight: 55.0kg
This was a victory of tactical evolution. Trainer Takeshi Okumura noted post-race that the horse has matured significantly, no longer fighting the rider when asked to take a position. Tsumura admitted he didn’t expect to be so far forward, but that “getting a good position was the biggest factor in the win.” Despite stalling slightly up the hill, his early positioning provided the necessary buffer to hold on.
2nd: Angola Black (#2)
- Jockey: Keita Tosaki | Trainer: Tomohito Ozeki
- Weight: 55.0kg
The favorite lost nothing in defeat. Carrying 55kg, she displayed an explosive turn of foot, clocking the fastest closing sectional (34.1). She was arguably the superior horse in the final 100m but simply ran out of ground. The “Hana” (Nose) margin is a heartbreaker for her connections, but her performance validates her status as a top-tier contender in this class.
3rd: Grandia (#8)
- Jockey: Takeshi Yokoyama | Trainer: Mitsumasa Nakauchida
- Weight: 56.0kg
The 7-year-old gelding showed he still retains plenty of ability. Closing in 34.0 seconds (tied for fastest with Reframing), he was only a neck away from the win. The pace setup wasn’t ideal for back-markers, making his close finish all the more impressive.
4th: Canella Fina (#3)
- Jockey: Yukito Ishikawa | Trainer: Takahisa Tezuka
- Weight: 54.0kg
The second favorite finished 1 1/2 lengths behind the top trio. While she moved up from mid-pack, she lacked the explosive kick shown by Angola Black or Grandia in the final stages.
What This Result Tells Us
1. The Strength of the 4-Year-Old Generation
Following a strong showing by 3-year-olds (now 4) in the Arima Kinen late last year, Karamatianos’ victory reinforces the depth of this generation. Despite failing in the Satsuki Sho and Derby last spring, and struggling on dirt and mile experiments in the autumn, his return to middle-distance turf proved that even the non-Classic winners of this crop are formidable. As Trainer Okumura stated, “This proves the high level of this year’s 4-year-olds.”
2. Track Bias Favoring Position
The fractional times (12.5 – 11.0 – 12.6 – 12.3 – 12.1 for the first 1000m) suggest that while not a crawl, the pace wasn’t fast enough to exhaust the front-runners completely. On this “A Course” setup at Nakayama, horses positioned 4th through 6th at the final turn (like the winner) often have the advantage over deep closers.
3. Maturation over Aptitude
Karamatianos had previously been tested on various surfaces and distances. His win suggests that his failures in the Classics were perhaps due to immaturity rather than lack of ability. His mental growth allowed him to handle a tactical race, a promising sign for his 2026 campaign.
How This Fits into the Bigger Picture
For Karamatianos, this is a career-defining restart. Having claimed his first graded title, he will likely target higher-profile middle-distance races (G2) leading up to the Osaka Hai in the spring, though connections may proceed cautiously.
For Angola Black, the narrow loss is a signal that she is ready to win a group race soon. Her consistency makes her a horse to follow in upcoming mare-restricted graded stakes or open G3 handicaps.
This race also serves as a warning for the older guard. With the 4-year-olds taking the first G3 of the year, the generational turnover in the middle-distance category is well underway.
Link Back to Previous Coverage
In our Pre-Race Analysis, we discussed the potential for a pace that would favor horses capable of sustaining speed rather than pure sprinters. The 60.5-second opening kilometer confirmed this assessment. Furthermore, while our Odds & Forecast report highlighted the support for Angola Black, the market drift on Karamatianos (14.8 odds) provided significant value for those who trusted the strength of the 4-year-old form lines.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Nakayama Kimpai will be remembered not just for the mere 2 centimeters that separated the winner and loser, but for the resurgence of a horse that had seemingly lost his way after the Classics.
Karamatianos and Akihide Tsumura showed that in Japanese racing, mental maturity and tactical positioning often trump raw reputation. As we move deeper into the January schedule, keep a close watch on this 4-year-old generation—they have started the year with a statement.
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