Horse Profile: Satono Carnaval

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report)

The first Japanese-based juvenile to attempt this race, undefeated Satono Carnaval has telegraphed serious potential. But with the form difficult to gauge compared to the established reference points of the European standard-bearers, the most enticing angle is his trainer. 

Noriyuki Hori is famed for his work with Japan’s Horse of the Year Maurice, who also flaunted his class in Hong Kong (as did his stablemates Satono Crown and Neorealism); Japanese Derby (G1)-winning champions Duramente and Tastiera; dirt champion Cafe Pharoah; and Real Impact, who plundered the 2015 George Ryder (G1) in Australia. 

It could be very significant that Hori thinks it’s worthwhile to pitch Satono Carnaval into an international race of this magnitude, in just his third career start. Indeed, he’s not only the first Breeders’ Cup starter for Hori; he’s his first runner in North America. 

Jockey Damian Lane, who rode Satono Carnaval on debut, made special mention of his exceptionally calm demeanor for a first-time starter. At home, the colt has shown the right temperament and frame of mind. He’s also got an advantageous stalk-and-pounce style.

By Kitasan Black, the sire of last year’s world champion Equinox, Satono Carnaval is a full brother to stakes scorer Justin Sky. They’re out of the multiple French stakes-placed Realisatrice, who is herself a half-sister to Group 1 victor Rouvres and Grade 3 winner Right One. This is the further family of French highweight Bubble Chic and several rosy-themed Japanese performers, including champion Rose Kingdom.

Satono Carnaval looked as if he could be the next star from the family when crushing a June 22 newcomers’ race going about seven furlongs at Tokyo. The odds-on favorite was on the bridle when he cruised up, then stretched clear by seven lengths. With a field-best final sectional of :34 for about three furlongs, he posted a final time of 1:23.6. 

Making a quick turnaround for the July 13 Hakodate Nisai (G3), Satono Carnaval had to work a little more on the cutback to about six furlongs. But the favorite duly overhauled the pacesetter by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:09.2. His time was much faster than an ensuing allowance (1:10.1) won by an older mare, and almost equaled an earlier three-year-old maiden (1:09.1). 

Satono Carnaval’s performance at Hakodate bodes well for Del Mar. Successfully chasing a fast tempo in splits of :22.7 and :45.4, he also got up over a shorter homestretch.

Note that Australian-based British expat Rachel King makes the trek to ride Satono Carnaval, despite a big weekend at home. King rode a couple of graded winners for Hori during her sojourn in Japan earlier this year. The jockey booking can be read as another sign of intent.