2023 Japanese Racing

[Flanders]

Pretty cool that his 3rd dam is the 1983 US HOTY All Along.

[tachyon]

Pretty cool that his 3rd dam is the 1983 US HOTY All Along.

All Along(FR) is the 3rd dam of Little Big Bear(IRE), too!

[Justahorse]

Mick Fire (Sinister Minister × Mariage, by Brian's Time) won the 2000m JpnI Japan Dirt Derby at Ohi last night, sweeping the (unofficial) Dirt Triple Crown (having won the Haneda Hai and Tokyo Derby) and remaining undefeated in 6 starts! a NAR horse, he beat multiple JRA runners in the race.

he got an standing ovation.
https://twitter.com/sakukeiba_1582/stat ... qvzAg&s=19

FULL ORDER OF FINISH:
1. Mick Fire (Sinister Minister)
2. Kirinji (Kizuna) [JRA]
3. Mitono O (Logotype) [JRA]
4. Yuttitham (Justify) [JRA]
5. Oro y Plata (Real Impact) [JRA]
6. Goraiko (Hokko Tarumae) [JRA]
7. Dora Ken (Eishin Flash)
8. Bleu Marine Ciel (Vincennes)
9. Omatsuri Otoko (Vittorio d'Oro) [JRA]
10. Rise Zone (Beach Patrol)
11. T O Ricardo (Pyro) [JRA]


by Weekly Gallop (Twitter)

full replay (in japanese):
https://youtu.be/kipNB3E-l-U

article about the race (in english):
https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/l ... irt-derby/

How many have won the dirt triple crown?

First of all, thanks for the update, Brunanas!!
Mick Fire(JPN) was an impressive winner in the final running of the Jpn1 (listed) Japan Dirt Derby, which will be renamed to the Jpn1(listed) Japan Dirt Classic next year, and became an undefeated Triple Crown winner of the Minami Kanto (Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures) circuit.
Minami Kanto (aka Nan-Kan) is seen the most competitive circuit among NAR.

From next year, Japan will implement a new Dirt Triple Crown for 3-year-olds in the collaboration between JRA and NAR.
Related article (in English) on Bloodhorse is here below.
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... re-in-2024

Hi Justhorse,
Mick Fire is the eighth Triple Crown winner under the old formula ''Dirt Triple Crown in the Minami Kanto circuit'' since 1964, and the second horse to achieved it while undefeated.

It looks like Japan has an excellent group of 3yos on dirt this year --- Mick Fire(JPN)(Sinister Minister), Derma Sotogake(JPN)(Mind Your Biscuits), Mandarin Hero(JPN)(Shanghai Bobby), Perriere(JPN)(Henny Hughes), Yamanin Ours(JPN)(Just a Way) and so on!!!!!!

So the ones who already done it will be recognized?

[tachyon]

Okay.
Here's the list of the past Dirt Triple Crown winners in the NAR's Minami Kanto (aka Nan-Kan) circuit.
I believe that this is the first time the list is shown with their English names on internet, haha!!

Hikaru Takai(JPN)(Limbo) in 1967
Golden Ribot(JPN)(Phalamond) in 1975
Hatsushiba O(JPN)(Takeshiba O) in 1978
San Oi(JPN)(Remand) in 1983
Hanaki O(JPN)(Aranas) in 1986
Rosita(JPN)(Mill George) in 1989
Toshin Blizzard(JPN)(Doulab) in 2001
Mick Fire(JPN)(Sinister Minister) in 2023

Among the eight Triple Crown winners, Rosita was very popular (at least among ''core'' racing fans in Japan) as she was the only filly to achieve it!!




-- replay of the Tokyo Derby 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMB1_OtwvmE


Toshin Blizzard was the first undefeated Triple Crown winner and very popular, too.



-- replay of the Japan Dirt Derby 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz4iWJs7_ps


But, Mick Fire may get more attention from the general public as the dirt winners in NAR have been doing very well in overseas G1s recently.
And we Japanese fans are very much looking forward to the new Dirt Triple Crown formula which will be implemented next year!!

[Justahorse]

Thank you!

[tachyon]

You are welcome!

In the meantime, I've realized that Netkeiba.com had shared an English report on Mick Fire's success.

''First Triple Crown champion in 22 years claims title''
https://en.netkeiba.com/news/news_detail.html?id=344

Mick Fire has not faced the likes of Derma Sotogake, Mandarin Hero and Perrier, yet.
And lightly-raced Yamanin Ours and Mystic Lore (Arrogate) will improve.
But I would like to rate this Sinister Minister colt the best 3-year-olds-on-dirt in Japan at this point.
Dirt racing in Japan is becoming hot!!!

Mick Fire
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020104376/

Derma Sotogake
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020102745/

Mandarin Hero
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020100349/

Perrier
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020101874/

Yamanin Ours
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020105599/

Mystic Lore
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020110075/

[Starine]

Thanks, as always, Tachyon, for the write-ups and photos. I agree that 2020 crop of Mick Fire, Mandarin Hero, Derma Sotogake, etc. is the most talented on dirt that Japan has ever produced. I hope to see more of them running abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the States.

[Justahorse]

Thanks, as always, Tachyon, for the write-ups and photos. I agree that 2020 crop of Mick Fire, Mandarin Hero, Derma Sotogake, etc. is the most talented on dirt that Japan has ever produced. I hope to see more of them running abroad in Saudi Arabia, Dubai and the States.

I hope they come for the breeders cup. Especially the power house of equinox

[tachyon]

JPN Thoroughbred Rankings for the first half of 2023 (from January 1 to June 30, 2023) have been published.
https://japanracing.jp/en/racing/news_m ... /2023.html

JPN Rankings are to coincide with LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
(Fillies & Mares are to get 4 pounds allowance)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- THREE-YEAR-OLDS (TURF)
https://japanracing.jp/en/_rankings/2023/03t.html

120 (124) Liberty Island(JPN)  F 3 THE YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS) G1 2400
116 (120) Liberty Island(JPN)  F 3 THE OKA SHO (JAPANESE 1000 GUINEAS)  G1 1600
120 Sol Oriens(JPN)  C 3 THE SATSUKI SHO(JAPANESE 2000 GUINEAS) G1 2000
119 Tastiera(JPN)  C 3 THE TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)  G1 2400
118 Bellagio Opera(JPN)  C 3 THE TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)  G1 2400
118 Hearts Concerto(JPN) C 3 THE TOKYO YUSHUN (JAPANESE DERBY)  G1 2400


-- THREE-YEAR-OLDS (DIRT)
https://japanracing.jp/en/_rankings/2023/03d.html

118 Derma Sotogake(JPN)  C 3 THE UAE DERBY  G2 1900
113 Mandarin Hero(JPN) C 3 THE SANTA ANITA DERBY  G1 1800
111 Dura Erede(JPN)  C 3 THE UAE DERBY  G2 1900
111 Perriere(JPN)  C 3 THE UNICORN STAKES G3 1600
110 Mick Fire(JPN) C 3 TOKYO DERBY  2000


-- FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARDS (TURF)
https://japanracing.jp/en/_rankings/2023/04t.html

129 Equinox(JPN) C 4 THE DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC G1 2410
124 Titleholder(JPN) H 5 THE NIKKEI SHO G2 2500
120 Do Deuce(JPN)  C 4 THE KYOTO KINEN  G2 2200
119 Danon Beluga(JPN)  C 4 THE DUBAI TURF G1 1800
119 Justin Palace(JPN) C 4 THE TENNO SHO(SPRING)  G1 3200
119 Justin Palace(JPN) C 4 THE TAKARAZUKA KINEN G1 2200


-- FOUR-YEAR-OLDS AND UPWARDS (DIRT)
https://japanracing.jp/en/_rankings/2023/04d.html

122 Ushba Tesoro(JPN)  H 6 THE DUBAI WORLD CUP  G1 2000
120 Panthalassa(JPN) H 6 THE SAUDI CUP  G1 1800
118 Cafe Pharoah(USA)  H 6 THE SAUDI CUP  G1 1800
118 Geoglyph(JPN)  C 4 THE SAUDI CUP  G1 1800
117 Lemon Pop(USA) H 5 THE FEBRUARY STAKES  G1 1600
117 Meisho Hario(JPN)  H 6 TEIO SHO LR 2000
117 T O Keynes(JPN)  H 6 THE DUBAI WORLD CUP  G1 2000

[Justahorse]

Is cafe pharaoh still running

[tachyon]

Is cafe pharaoh still running

Yes, even if his next start is not yet known.
A trip to Santa Anita (BC Dirt Mile?) must be one of his options.

[BaroqueAgain1]

The choices that Japanese breeders/owners/trainers have made for their horses have led to them being some of the best in the world. So I think it should be noted that they race their intact horses at 5, 6, 7 or older, AND that you will seldom see a gelding in those fields.
The Japanese find it useful to keep their colts intact, and NOT resort to that 'ultimate equipment change' to be successful. I like it....
....although I might have made an exception with Gold Ship after he nearly maimed some of the Meydan gate crew who were trying to load the cray-cray grey colt..

[Justahorse]

Is cafe pharaoh still running

Yes, even if his next start is not yet known.
A trip to Santa Anita (BC Dirt Mile?) must be one of his options.

Good

[tachyon]

JPN Thoroughbred Rankings for the first half of 2023 (from January 1 to June 30, 2023) have been published.
https://japanracing.jp/en/racing/news_m ... /2023.html

JPN Rankings are to coincide with LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
(Fillies & Mares are to get 4 pounds allowance)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-- THREE-YEAR-OLDS (DIRT)
https://japanracing.jp/en/_rankings/2023/03d.html

118 Derma Sotogake(JPN)  C 3 THE UAE DERBY  G2 1900
113 Mandarin Hero(JPN) C 3 THE SANTA ANITA DERBY  G1 1800
111 Dura Erede(JPN)  C 3 THE UAE DERBY  G2 1900
111 Perriere(JPN)  C 3 THE UNICORN STAKES G3 1600
110 Mick Fire(JPN) C 3 TOKYO DERBY  2000

Mick Fire was given 114 by JPN handicapper for his Japan Dirt Derby (July 12).

[tachyon]

Aww... have we seen a freak filly on dirt????

Thermal Soaring(JPN), 2020F. Duramente(JPN) x Total Heat(USA)[Street Cry(IRE) x Lethal Heat(USA)], won the Chukyo R6 1800m dirt allowance very easily by 10+ lengths in her first start on the dirt.
https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/2020102688/




-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhGgLrJSxY4

[Starine]

Very impressive. The real question is where does she run next?

[tachyon]

Very impressive. The real question is where does she run next?

We don't know yet.
Thermal Soaring is just taking a summer vacation now.

[tachyon]

-- from bloodhorse

''IFHA Quarterly Volume 9 Released''
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... 9-released

Interesting read.

https://ifhaonline.org/resources/IFHA_N ... _Final.pdf

-- Q&A with Tetsuya Kimura, trainer of Equinox.
Tetsuya Kimura discusses Equinox, Japan's place on the international stage

-- 30th anniversary celebration of the JRA New York office (in pictures)

[tachyon]

I wonder if we've seen a new star in Niigata R5 1800m turf Newcomer today!!

Cantiamo(JPN), 2021F. Epiphaneia(JPN) x Libiamo(JPN) by Admire Vega(JPN), won her debut under Yuga Kawada smashing the 2yo course record in 1:46:4!!
Like Equinox, she is trained by Tetsuya Kimura.
The runner-up is an Epiphaneia baby, too.
https://en.netkeiba.com/race/race_resul ... 2304020205




-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ZaEL6qZuQ
1st. Cantiamo(JPN)(Epiphaneia) F2
2nd. Mikki Stardom(JPN)(Epiphaneia) C2

[tachyon]

Mick Fire Triple Crown polo shirt