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Such quality stayers win the Tenno Sho (Spring) run at Kyoto on Sunday.

Kitasan Black was a dual winner. Could we find another elite stayer in the 2021 Tenno Sho (Spring) (3200m) at Kyoto on Sunday?

2021 TENNO SHO (SPRING) - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Tenno Sho (Spring) is a Grade 1 race run under Weight For Age conditions for four year olds and above at Kyoto racecourse conducted by the Japan Racing Association.

The Tenno Sho (Spring) is run over 3200m. It was first run in 1938 and was won by Hase Park.

The Tenno Sho refers to the Emperor's Prize. The Spring race has an Autumn equivalent in October.

Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were just Japanese domestic Grade I's.

The Tenno Sho (Spring) was worth JPY325,000,000 in 2021.

Kyoto racecourse is a right handed course with the start up the back straight.

Nine times the four year olds have won in the last 20 years.

The great Kitasan Black was a brilliant stayer winning the race twice.

Deep Impact was having a great career in 2006 with only Arc defeat that year.

TM Opera O was another to do the Japan Cup/Arima Kinen double in 2000.

This has been Yutaka Take's race, winning it eight times.

Numerous trainers have multiple recent wins including Yasao Ikee, Yoshitsugu Iizuka, Ichizo Iwamoto, Hirofumi Toda, Hisashi Shimizu and Takahisa Tezuka.

Notable winners of the Tenno Sho (Spring) include Fierement (2019/2020), Kitasan Black (2016/2017), Gold Ship (2015), Fenomeno (2013/2014), Jaguar Mail (2010), Meiner Kitz (2009), Meisho Samson (2007), Deep Impact (2006), Manhattan Cafe (2002), TM Opera O (2000/2001), Special Week (1999), Mayano Top Gun (1997), Mejiro McQueen (1991/1992) and Symboli Rudolf (1985).

The 2020 Tenno Sho (Spring) was won by Fierement from Stiffelio and Mikki Swallow.