on his first run of 2016 leontes started 0.9/1 favourite for the grade 2 yayoi sho (a major trial race for the shuka sho) over 2000 metres at nakayama racecourse. he took the lead entering the straight and broke clear of his rivals but was caught in the final strides and beaten a neck by makahiki. in the shuka sho over the same course and distance on 17 april leontes started second favourite behind satono diamond. as in the yayoi sho he took the lead at the start of the straight but was outrun in the closing stages, coming home fourth of the eighteen runners behind dee majesty, makahiki and satono diamond. he was demoted to fifth place for causing interference to air spinel in the straight. on 29 may leontes started the 4.5/1 fourth choice in the betting for the tokyo yushun over 2400 metres at tokyo racecourse. in a change of tactic he was restrained towards the rear before producing a strong late run but was unable to reach the leaders and finished fifth behind makahiki.