And here’s why.
you forgot to put up the link
and the 7th triple crown in how many years? Don’t follow Japanese racing as closely as European raciong. Perhaps because it is done here in the middle of the night. Just don’t know.
It’s the 7th TC winner since 1941. The last one was Deep Impact in 2006, he was the first since 1994. Before that there was two in a row back in the 80’s.
Orfevre looks like an awesome horse, at least he does against what he is running against. Remains to be seen how good this year’s crop of Japanese 3yos are, but the strength of Japanese runners in recent years has been very very good, so he could well be one for the ages. I imagine he will run in the Japan Cup next, so we will get to see how he stacks up against some foreign runners to gauge how good he really is.
Btw, love watching those big Japanese races… no one does racing pageantry quite like the Japanese do these days. Huge enthusiast crowds, with lots of pomp and circumstance. I think the rest of the world could learn a lot from them how they have made racing such wonderful spectacle.
[QUOTE=Larksmom;5917370]
and the 7th triple crown in how many years? Don’t follow Japanese racing as closely as European raciong. Perhaps because it is done here in the middle of the night. Just don’t know.[/QUOTE]
The link is there, click on the highlighted blue text. Well worth watching.
The three JTC races are:
- The Satsuki Sho (aka the Japanese 2000 Guineas), 2000m (about 10f) at Nakayama.
- The Tokyo Yushun (aka the Japanese Derby), 2400m (about 12f) at Tokyo.
- The Kikuka Sho (aka the Japanese St. Leger), 3000m (abt 15f) at Kyoto.
- 1941: St. Lite
- 1964: Shinzan
- 1983: Mr. C. B.
- 1984: Symboli Rudolf
- 1994: Narita Brian
- 2005: Deep Impact
- 2011: Orfevre
Orfevre strikes again, this time in the Arima Kinen (G1-Jpn, Nakayama, 2500m)
Here’s the video.
How often does a Belmont Stakes winner win again? And at that distance?!
Btw, love watching those big Japanese races… no one does racing pageantry quite like the Japanese do these days. Huge enthusiast crowds, with lots of pomp and circumstance. I think the rest of the world could learn a lot from them how they have made racing such wonderful spectacle.
Even watching on TV, the huge ROAR of 100K+ fans at the top of the stretch just seems so thrilling and deafening.
I like the various riders in shads and full bridles who just hang out with flags looking generally awesome. I don’t think they’re outriders, not sure that they function as more than really formal decorations. Love 'em. 
Even the gate crews look really spiffy and choreographed.
Gotta update the racing bucket list to include a Japanese race … 
