22 March, 2023
The 2022 JRA Awards have been announced.
Horse of the Year - Equinox(JPN) by Kitasan Black(JPN)
This colt was highly rated when going into the classic season in 2022; unfortunately, he just kept coming up slightly short, finishing second in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and the G1 Japanese Derby. However, he proved the best in the country when he beat older rivals in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the year-end G1 Arima Kinen. He was the most consistent horse of the year and seems to be getting better as he matures, much like his sire.
Champion Two-Year-Old Colt - Dolce More(JPN) by Rulership(JPN)
He impressed everyone in his debut in August and improved his resume with another solid win in the G3 Saudi Arabia Royal Cup in October. He went into the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in December undefeated and the post-time favorite, then came out of it in first place with the two-year-old champion title secure.
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly - Liberty Island (JPN) by Duramente(JPN)
She greatly impressed in her debut, showing herself to be a step above the rest. Despite going into the G3 Artemis Stakes in October as the post-time favorite, she got stuck in traffic for most of the race before being sharply redirected to the outside. While she made up tremendous ground, showing her class, she had to settle for second that day. Going into her year-end finale, the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, she was again post time favorite, and this time everything went much smoother for the talented filly, winning with ease.
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt - Equinox(JPN) by Kitasan Black(JPN)
When three-year-olds beat older horses at the highest level like Equinox(JPN) did this year, it is a no brainer for him to be named the champion of his generation.
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly - Stars on Earth(JPN) by Duramente(JPN)
At the start of this year, the filly ran second in a pair of G3s before blossoming in the G1 Oka Sho, where she got up to snag the first leg of the filly triple crown by a nose. She proved her G1 winner status was no fluke a little over a month later when she dominantly captured the G1 Japanese Oaks. After recovering from an injury over the summer, she was back for the G1 Shuka Sho, looking to capture the triple crown; however, she had to settle for third.
Champion Older Male - Titleholder(JPN) by Duramente(JPN)
The first half of Titleholder(JPN)'s year was magnificent, with a win in the G2 Nikkei Sho in March before winning his second G1 title in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring. His best performance of the year was the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, where he won dominantly and set a record in the process.
Champion Older Female - Geraldina(JPN) by Maurice(JPN)
This mare is impeccably bred out of the stellar racemare Gentildonna(JPN), who was one of Deep Impact's (JPN) best daughters. Her sire was a champion miler and middle-distance runner himself, so she was born with the right natural ingredients to be a champion herself. It took a while for her to find her mojo, but in her fourth year, everything clicked. After placing in a pair of G3 over the summer, she found her form and won the G2 All-Comers in September. She earned her first G1 title in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in November before running a gallant third in the G1 Arima Kinen against males. If she keeps improving, 2023 could be her best season yet.
Champion Short Distance Horse - Serifos(JPN) by Daiwa Major(JPN)
This three-year-old has been impressive since his debut. He won two graded stakes races before running second in the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity in 2021. The start of his year was somewhat disappointing, with two fourth-place finishes in the G1 NHK Mile and the G1 Yasuda Kinen. He returned after summer break back in good form, winning the G2 Fuji Stakes in October before winning his first G1 title in the Mile Championship in November.
Champion Dirt Horse - Cafe Pharoah(USA) by American Pharoah(USA)
He won his second G1 title early in the year when he won the G1 February Stakes for the second year in a row. They tried switching him to turf with no luck in the G1 Yasuda Kinen, but he came back after the summer break to win the JPN1 Nambu Hai, giving him two top-level wins for the year.
Champion Steeplechase Horse - Oju Chosan(JPN) by Stay Gold(JPN)
Few horses run as successfully for as long as Oju Chosan(JPN), who retired at the end of 2022 after being one of the most successful steeplechase horses in JRA history. This was his fifth JRA Award for Champion Steeplechase Horse. He won nine J-G1 events during his ten seasons on the track, including the 2022 J-G1 Nakayama Grand Jump in April. From 2016 to 2022, he won at least one J-G1 yearly.
Trainer Awards
Trainer with the most wins: Yoshito Yahagi (64 wins)
Trainer with the highest win percentage: Mitsumasa Nakauchida (0.195%)
Trainer who earned the most prize money: Yoshito Yahagi (1,916,755,400yen)
Trainer Technical Skill Award: Tetsuya Kimura
Jockeys
Jockey with the most wins: Yuga Kawada (143 wins)
Jockey with the highest win percentage: Yuga Kawada (0.259%)
Jockey who earned the most prize money: Yuga Kawada (3,157,091,000yen)
Jockey Grand Prize: Yuga Kawada
Most Valuable Jockey: Keita Tosaki
Top Apprentice Jockey: Seina Imamura (51 wins)
Please contact our representative below for further details:
Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
Tel : +61 414 414 450