Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord was back to his brilliant best in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin.The Northern Farm-bred claimed his third lifetime Group 1 in the 2000 metre affair by three-quarters of a length over last year's G1 Takarazuka Kinen victor Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship). Fellow Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) was another length back in third.Drawn widest of all in 15, the near-black colt sidled closer to the fence, but was still punching the breeze about three deep in midfield heading into the first turn. Meisho Tabaru led on the business end while free and clear, covering the first 1000 metres in a strong :58.01. Edging up into the top third of the bunching field with 600 metres remaining, Croix Du Nord appeared poised for a big effort, with Meisho Tabaru still on the engine.Changing gears leaving the final bend, Croix Du Nord ground past a stubborn Meisho Tabaru for the victory. Danon Decile rallied in the straight nearer the fence with Tagano Dude (Yamakatsu Ace) closing farther out to finish a neck back in fourth.On the back of this victory, Croix Du Nord has earned a berth in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in Ireland later this year.“To be honest, I'm relieved that we were able to win and live up to the expectations as race favorite,” said jockey Yuichi Kitamura. “The going was tough to handle and the incredible speed of the pacesetter, Meisho Tabaru, was also tough to beat but I gave my all to drive the colt to the wire in which he responded beautifully. I'm confident that this season will be all about Croix du Nord and that he will play the leading role in all of his starts.”A champion at two in his native land after taking the G1 Hopeful Stakes and G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes, the Sunday Racing colourbearer ran second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) before his Japanese Derby heroics. Nosing out future G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victor Daryz (Sea The Stars) in the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange, Croix Du Nord led in the Arc before weakening to 14th behind that foe. He was fourth in the G1 Japan Cup to Calandagan (Gleneagles) last out.Pedigree NotesSuccessful in the 2017 edition of this race, Kitasan Black is credited with 20 stakes winners, 13 of which are group level or better. His banner horse is the worldbeater Equinox, a six-time Group 1 winner, and his Sol Oriens claimed the Satsuki Sho in 2023.Croix Du Nord is the 11th foal out of G2 Park Hill Stakes heroine Rising Cross (Cape Cross), who placed in the 2006 G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks. Her other black-type horse is the Manhattan Café mare Earthrise, who placed in the G3 Flower Cup, G3 Aichi Hai and G3 Mermaid Stakes. Although the immediate family is light on black-type, the fourth dam is a half-sister to G1 Derby-winning sires Morston and Blakeney.Sunday, Hanshin, JapanOSAKA HAI-G1, ¥574,560,000, Hanshin, 4-5, 4yo/up, 2000mT, 1:57.60, fm.1–CROIX DU NORD (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Kitasan Black (Jpn) 1st Dam: Rising Cross (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire) 2nd Dam: Woodrising (GB), by Nomination (GB) 3rd Dam: Bodham (GB), by Bustino (GB)O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Takashi Saito;J-Yuichi Kitamura; ¥303,129,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr,9-6-1-0, ¥967,711,102. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.2–Meisho Tabaru (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Gold Ship (Jpn)–MeishoTsubakuro (Jpn), by French Deputy. O-Yoshitaka Matsumoto;B-Mishima Bokujo (Jpn); ¥120,912,000.3–Danon Decile (Jpn), 128, h, 5, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Top Decile,by Congrats. (¥135,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Inc.;B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); ¥75,456,000.Margins: 3/4, 1, NK. Odds: 1.50, 3.80, 2.90.Also Ran: Tagano Dude (Jpn), Seiun Hades (Jpn), Lebensstil (Jpn), Yoho Lake (Jpn), David Barows (Jpn), Boldog Hos (Jpn), Shohei (Jpn), Matenro Leo (Jpn), Sun Stockton (Jpn), Faust Rasen (Jpn), Ecoro Waltz (Jpn), Ecoro Dinos (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. 【 Osaka Hai (G1), Hanshin, 2000m, 4yo&up, approx US$ 4.15m】Winner: Croix du Nord(JPN)J: Yuichi KitamuraT: Takashi SaitoSire: Kitasan BlackDam: Rising Cross#大阪杯 は、#クロワデュノール が優勝！！ pic.twitter.com/gF7RVo0CrN— JRA World Racing (@JRA_WorldRacing) April 5, 2026The post Croix Du Nord Brings Up A Group 1 Hat Trick In Osaka Hai appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.