- “In 1991, Tenno Sho Spring.
Mejiro McQueen conquered the race three generations in a row.
Absolute strength sometimes tires people.” - ―2011 Tenno Sho Spring commercial, by JRA
Mejiro McQueen[2][3] was a racehorse that competed in the early 1990s. He was good at long-distance races. and won four G1s. McQueen was the first horse to win the Tenno Sho Spring two years in a row, in 1991 and 1992. In addition, his sire line, including Mejiro Asama, Mejiro Titan, and himself, won Tenno Sho races three generations in a row. [Note 1]. McQueen was favored to win a third consecutive Tenno Sho Spring in 1993, but was defeated by Rice Shower.
Trivia[]
- His name comes from an American actor Steve McQueen. Mejiro Farm named their 1987-born colts from American celebrities. This was the same for Ryan and Palmer.
- His grandchildren, especially those sired by his son Stay Gold, won many G1s. Some of McQueen's winning grandchildren include Dream Journey, Orfevre, and Gold Ship.
- During his time as a breeding stallion, he was placed in the next pasture to Sunday Silence. Sunday was bossy to other horses, making the other horses fear him. But McQueen was the sole exception due to his huge size - at first Sunday felt intimidated and threatened McQueen, who then completely ignored him. Eventually, Sunday Silence grew fond of his neighbor and got along well with him, often seen near each other.[4] Due to this unexpected relationship, there was a running joke that says that the both of them are lovers despite the both of them being stallions.
- In Umamusume, McQueen is frequently pulled into antics by Gold Ship in reference to the real-life McQueen being Gold Ship's grandfather. However, in real-life, McQueen passed away in 2006, while Gold Ship wasn't born until 2009. It is also speculated that the relationship between the two is based on the real life relationship of Sunday Silence and Mejiro McQueen, both Gold Ship's grandfathers.
Notes[]
- ↑ Asama and Titan won Autumn one. In those days, Tenno Sho winners couldn't enter again, and Autumn one was also 3200m.