The retirement of one champion and the ordination of another was the takeaway following a thrilling Group 1 Arima Kinen (2500m) at Nakayama Racecourse on Boxing Day.
In her final race start, the defending champion Chrono Genesis could not quite get the job done but went down fighting when third behind the new kid on the block, Efforia, and a resurgent Deep Bond.
With rising young star Takeshi Yokoyama in the saddle, the 3yo son of Epiphaneia defeated the 4yo Kizuna colt Deep Bond by three-quarters of a length with the 5yo Bago mare Chrono Genesis a further half-length back in third.
It was the sixth win from seven starts for Efforia, who may have locked up Horse Of The Year honours.
Following wins at his two starts at two, Efforia kick-started his classic season with a win in a Group III over 1800m at Tokyo in February before adding the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (2000m) at Nakayama a month later.
He met defeat for the first time when going down by a nose to Shahryar (Deep Impact) in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Derby) (2400m) in May.
Following a five-month break, Efforia continued his winning ways in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), defeating the superstar Contrail.
Yokoyama believes the 2500m sees the son of Epiphaneia right out.
"He wasn't in the same perfect condition today as in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in which he was 120%, but his potential proved he still could give a remarkable performance even with the added distance," Yokoyama said.
"Unlike in the Derby, he was relaxed and positioned well and was able to show his true strength."
Deep Bond has had a busy season, taking in a trip to France where he won the Group II Prix Foy at Longchamp before disappointing in the Arc.
But Deep Bond looks like an old stay at home compared to Chrono Genesis.
The 5yo mare's season began in March with a second behind Mishriff in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan before returning home to win the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin.
It was back on the plane for a hit and run mission for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe where she was far from disgraced when seventh to Torquator Tasso (GER). It was just the second time that Chrono Genesis failed to hit the board in 17 starts.
The daughter of Nashwan's 6-time Group 1 winning son Bago (FR) was given a fitting send-off, retiring with a record of eight wins, three seconds and four thirds.
