- “In 1999, Takarazuka Kinen.
His target was only one, the same age Derby horse.
Now, or yet? No, it is now.
The unidentified chestnut changed the future by a moment decision.
That horse's name is ―― Grass Wonder.” - ―2012 JRA TV commercial
Grass Wonder[1] was a racehorse in the late 1990s, specifically the golden age of horse racing that was 1998. He was regarded as the "second coming of Maruzensky" and won both Grand Prix[Note 1] races, defeating Special Week in three instances.
- "Grass" is his owner Hanzawa's crown/clan name, comes from his brother's horse Green Grass.
- His sister Wonder Again is also a two-time G1 winner in USA.
- In his late days, he likes eating dandelions. Grass Wonder's VA Rena Maeda found it when she visited him. Fanarts often depict it.
- In 2021, his great-grandson Pixie Knight won the Sprinters Stakes, earning a G1 win for the fourth generation of Grass Wonder's bloodline. (Grass Wonder sired Screen Hero, who sired Maurice, Pixie Knight's father).
In retirement, Grass Wonder lived in the Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, where he was shown to have turned fat during his life in retirement.
- He was a laidback and immobile horse, that the staff had to put him through a hot walker.
- Grass Wonder passed away at the age of 30 due to multi-organ failure and loss of strength related to old age.[2]
Notes[]
- ↑ Takarazuka and Arima Kinen.