- “In 2001, Satsuki Sho.
The horse became a myth after only four runs.
It appeared from another space, and passed away in a moment.
He made other horses despair. and watchers dazzled.
The Superluminal Particle. The horse's name is ―― Agnes Tachyon.” - ―2012 Satsuki Sho commercial, by JRA
Agnes Tachyon[1] was a racehorse in the early 2000s. Although he ran only four races and retired, in every race he overwhelmed even later G1 horses. People call him a "phantom Triple Crown winner". As a studhorse, he bred six G1/Jpn1[Note 1] winners and became a leading sire. However, he suddenly died of a heart attack at the age of 11.
At birth[]
Agnes Flora, his mother, was an Oka Sho winner. Flora's mother Agnes Lady also won the Japanese Oaks. His father Sunday Silence had already been known as a great stallion, who had remade Japanese horse production, when he was born.
Watanabe mated Flora with Sunday Silence two years in a row, as her fourth and fifth foals. Older one is Agnes Flight, a later Derby winner. younger one is later Agnes Tachyon.
In 2000 (2 years old)[]
His maiden race was in Hanshin 2000m. He was expected as Agnes Flight's brother. He overwhelmed Rebroadcast and other blooded horses by 3.5 lengths.
Radio Tampa Hai 3-year-old Stakes (G3)[Note 2] has been told as a legendary showdown.[2] Tachyon left Kurofune and Jungle Pocket behind and won by 3.5 lengths, breaking the record of 2yo 2000m, which Kurofune had set at his previous race.
In 2001 (3 years old)[]
His team decided to enter the Yayoi Sho (G2). There were only eight horses because many horses avoided fighting him. He won by five lengths, defeating Manhattan Cafe in fourth.
At Satsuki Sho (G1), 59.4% of people betted him to win. He answered his popularity winning easily, and most of fans and media expected him to win the Triple Crown.
Nevertheless, on May 2, a bowed tendon was found in his front-left leg, and he had to give up the Derby. In August 29, his retirement was announced.
Afterward, Many of horses who Tachyon defeated won G1s continuously. Kurofune won the NHK Mile Cup and Japan Cup Dirt, Jungle Pocket did the Derby and the Japan Cup, Manhattan Cafe did the Kikka Sho and Arima Kinen. His evaluation also increased relatively, so he was called the "Phantom Triple Crown".
After retirement[]
He became a studhorse in Shadai Stallion Station. He bred several grade race winners from the first year. In 2006, Logic became the first G1 winner in his foals winning the NHK Mile Cup. Daiwa Scarlet, one of his daughter in the second year, won four G1, desperately fighting with Vodka. On the other hand, his foals also had weak legs. Many of Tachyon's foals retired due to bowed tendons or leg fractures.
In 2008, he became the comprehensive leading sire of Japan, succeeding his father Sunday Silence.
In 2009, he suddenly passed away due to a heart attack, at just 11 years old. Deep Sky and Admire Aura were his succeeding sire. Now his sire line was succeeded by Arctos, Admire Aura's foal.
- "Agnes" is Takao Watanabe's crown name, which comes from Agnes Miling Kaneko Chan (陳美齡, Chan Mei Ling), a Hong Kong idol in Japan.
- Agnes Tachyon, Jungle Pocket and Manhattan Cafe shared 2001 Triple Crown, however, most of real-life racing fans don't treat them as a trio because Tachyon retired too early to be said he "rivaled" Manhattan.
Notes[]
References[]
- ↑ JBIS Search
- ↑ JRA official (TouTube)