November 16, 2025
In the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) on November 16, 2025, 3-year-old filly Paradis Reine delivered a stunning performance, finishing 2nd against a field of strong older horses. The jockey change from Yuji Tannai, her regular rider until the Shuka Sho, to Mirai Iwata is widely believed to have been a successful move, with the decision and its outcome becoming a hot topic among horse racing fans. This article will analyze Iwata’s excellent ride, compare it to past races, and discuss Paradis Reine’s own abilities.
Key Points of This Article
- 3-year-old filly Paradis Reine ran an excellent race to finish 2nd in the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
- The jockey change from Yuji Tannai to Mirai Iwata was met with high praise for his perfect ride.
- Harsh criticism of Yuji Tannai’s past rides, especially his tactics in major races, has resurfaced.
- This stunning performance has led to a re-evaluation of Paradis Reine’s ability, with some calling her the “strongest 3-year-old filly.”
Praise for Mirai Iwata’s “Perfect,” “100/100” Ride
After the race, online forums were flooded with praise for Mirai Iwata’s ride on Paradis Reine. In addition to comments like “That was a perfect ride” and “He’s too good,” many praised the specifics of his performance, saying things like, “He started from the inside rail but skillfully moved her to the outside in the straight, just brilliant,” and “She lost despite a 100/100 ride.”
Starting from the innermost gate, his masterful handling brought out the horse’s full potential. His ride made many fans feel “for a moment, I thought she had won,” and was praised for finally allowing the horse to “run her race to the fullest.”
Criticisms of Past Races with Jockey Yuji Tannai
In light of this incredible performance, opinions resurfaced regarding the past rides of her former jockey, Yuji Tannai. Harsh criticisms were particularly aimed at his rides in the Rose Stakes and the Shuka Sho, with comments like, “Tannai’s ride in the Rose Stakes was unbelievably terrible,” and “Tannai was too passive last time.”
Furthermore, remarks such as “Tannai is a jockey for third-tier tracks” and “Putting Tannai on a top contender in a major race in the Kansai region is basically asking to lose” questioned his performance on the big stage. Some comments pointed out that the owner’s side had been insistent on winning a G1 with Tannai, suggesting that this jockey change was a significant decision for the team.
Re-evaluating Paradis Reine’s Ability: “The Strongest 3-Year-Old Filly”
Following the performance she delivered with a new jockey, many are calling for a re-evaluation of Paradis Reine’s own ability. Comments like “This proves she’s the strongest 3-year-old filly” and “This is a classic case of a jockey masking a horse’s true talent” suggest that many fans believe her previous results were largely due to the jockey.
In the Shuka Sho, in particular, she showed a remarkable run, “closing in from the far outside all by herself” despite an unfavorable race development, and her high potential was recognized even then. In light of the recent result, many lamented past G1 races with comments like, “If only Mirai had ridden her in the Shuka Sho…” and “It’s such a waste, she could have won the Shuka Sho with a decent jockey.”
Her strong showing in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, while also highlighting the strength of the winner, Regaleira, served to reaffirm Paradis Reine’s high potential. With her talent now widely recognized after this race, some believe “there won’t be any value in her odds anymore,” and she is expected to draw even more attention in future races.
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