21 March, 2024
The 2023 JRA Awards have been announced.
Horse of the Year & Champion Older Male- Equinox(JPN) by Kitasan Black(JPN)
Equinox(JPN) earned back-to-back Horse of the Year titles, just like his sire Kitasan Black(JPN), who did that in 2016 and 2017. Although it wasn't the most dynamic of years, he won three of Japan's most important races and the most significant turf in Dubai, all in spectacular style. He retired after his dominating Japan Cup performance and should be one of the most popular new stallions to enter stud in the past few years.
Champion Two-Year-Old Colt - Jantar Mantar(JPN) by Palace Malice(USA)
Imported in utero, this colt has since helped earn back his dam's purchase price eightfold. Undefeated in three starts and closing out his year impressively winning the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity, this colt should be an exciting one to follow in 2024.
Champion Two-Year-Old Filly - Ascoli Piceno(JPN) by Daiwa Major(JPN)
This filly ended the year undefeated in three starts when she captured her first G1 race in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in December. She is bred to be a tough miler, so she should be popular among bettors in the G1 Oka Sho later this spring.
Champion Three-Year-Old Colt - Tastiera(JPN) by Satono Crown(JPN)
Despite being caught in both the G1 Satsuki Sho and G1 Kikuka Sho and having to settle for second, he turned in a tour de force performance to capture the G1 Japanese Derby. He has been fiercely consistent all last year so this award made sense.
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly - Liberty Island(JPN) by Duramente(JPN)
This amazing filly who dominated her class was the only horse that could take any shine away from Equinox(JPN) in 2023. She took home the filly triple crown with ease and grace and should be the hot horse of 2024. Seeing this filly's talent, the loss of Duramente(JPN) hurts even more with every stellar performance she puts in.
Champion Older Female & Miler - Songline(JPN) by Kizuna(JPN)
The brown mare really came alive at Tokyo Racecourse and put her true talents on display becoming not only the best female miler but best miler over all in Japan in general. Plenty of mares have won the G1 Victoria Mile, but only greats like Vodka(JPN) could win the G1 Yasuda Kinen a month later. She retired at the end of the year and should be an exciting broodmare to follow.
Champion Short Distance Horse - Mama Cocha(JPN) by Kurofune(USA)
Mama Cocha(JPN) lived up to her pedigree when she snaked through the stretch to win her first graded stakes race. As a full sister of Sodashi(JPN), but lacking the stunning white coat, she had large hoof prints to fill. The Shirayukihime (JPN) line has been on fire in recent years regardless of coat color.
Champion Dirt Horse - Lemon Pop(USA) by Lemon Drop Kid(USA)
Lemon Pop(USA) had been conceptively campaigned for most of his career, but he was finally put into the G1 level and shined, winning both of the JRA G1s this year and the JPN1 Nambu Hai. He is staying in training in 2024 and will take on the world now, so see just how far he can go.
Special Award: Ushba Tesoro(JPN) by Orfevre(JPN)
After having stunned the planet by winning the G1 Dubai World Cup in fantastic style, the big bay earned this special award. He was solid all year, winning other local JPN1s and graded stakes. He is also in training for 2024, looking to go around the world again.
Trainer Awards
Trainer with the most wins: Haruki Sugiyama (56 wins)
Trainer with the highest win percentage: Tetsuya Kimura (0.209)
Trainer who earned the most prize money: Yoshito Yahagi (2,732,768,100yen)
Trainer Technical Skill Award: Tetsuya Kimura
Jockeys
Jockey with the most wins: Christophe Lemaire (165 wins)
Jockey with the highest win percentage: Yuga Kawada (0.305%)
Jockey who earned the most prize money: Christophe Lemaire (5,084,761,000yen)
Most Valuable Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama
Top Apprentice Jockey: Kanta Taguchi
Best Steeplechase Jockey: Shinichi Ishigami
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