Vodka: JRA Horse Of The Year 2008
January 31st 2009 03:34
Vodka has been named by the JRA as Japanese Horse Of The Year for 2008.
I regard her so highly that I consider her world ranking (of equal 41st) to be well below her actual status. In Japan Vodka became the first filly or mare to win the title in the past eleven years - and she is only the third mare in total to be successful in the award (Tomei in 1971 and Air Grove in 1997). Vodka attracted 180 of the possible 300 votes.
Vodka’s victory in the Yasuda Kinen 1600m at Group One was the standout performance of her year. The race featured a quality line-up of Group One winners at peak performance. She defeated quality international class gallopers Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck from Hong Kong. She was devastating with a 3 1/2 length victory.
Her win in the Tenno Sho Autumn (Group One 2,000m) was contested by top classic and Group One winners, and three derby champions, including Vodka herself. It was a brilliant performance to reel in her arch rival Daiwa Scarlet in the last few strides.
The ridiculous dawdle that was the Japan Cup ruined any real chance she had of victory - but somehow when it seemed she would drop out she continued to fight to the line and finished a brave third. In 2007 she had again fallen victim to a slow tempo in the Japan Cup when she made great ground from the rear of the field to finish 4th (just ahead of Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues).
Daiwa Scarlet was close to Vodka in the Tenno Sho - but in voting for the horse of the year she was well behind, collecting 79 votes. In third position was Deep Sky, the Derby winner who finished third in the Tenno Sho, and finished in second place in the Japan Cup.
Vodka is being aimed at an overseas campaign in 2009 with Dubai in March being a prime assignment.
Vodka was also voted as Champion Older Mare for 2008. These awards come on top of her award as Best Two-Year-Old Filly of 2006 - and being the first female winner of the Japanese Derby for 64 years when successful in 2007.
A tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 2007 was a serious possibility for Vodka before injury put that plan on hold. Perhaps it will take international success to elevate this champion mare higher in World Rankings. Her equal 41st ranking a terrible error of consensus decision making.
2008 JRA Award
HORSE OF THE YEAR and BEST OLDER FILLY OR MARE:
VODKA
4-year-old, filly, by Tanino Gimlet-Tanino Sister (Rousillon)
Owner: Yuzo Tanimizu
Breeder: Country Bokujo
Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii
Vodka JRA Horse of the Year 2008
I regard her so highly that I consider her world ranking (of equal 41st) to be well below her actual status. In Japan Vodka became the first filly or mare to win the title in the past eleven years - and she is only the third mare in total to be successful in the award (Tomei in 1971 and Air Grove in 1997). Vodka attracted 180 of the possible 300 votes.
Vodka’s victory in the Yasuda Kinen 1600m at Group One was the standout performance of her year. The race featured a quality line-up of Group One winners at peak performance. She defeated quality international class gallopers Good Ba Ba, Armada and Bullish Luck from Hong Kong. She was devastating with a 3 1/2 length victory.
Her win in the Tenno Sho Autumn (Group One 2,000m) was contested by top classic and Group One winners, and three derby champions, including Vodka herself. It was a brilliant performance to reel in her arch rival Daiwa Scarlet in the last few strides.
The ridiculous dawdle that was the Japan Cup ruined any real chance she had of victory - but somehow when it seemed she would drop out she continued to fight to the line and finished a brave third. In 2007 she had again fallen victim to a slow tempo in the Japan Cup when she made great ground from the rear of the field to finish 4th (just ahead of Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues).
Daiwa Scarlet was close to Vodka in the Tenno Sho - but in voting for the horse of the year she was well behind, collecting 79 votes. In third position was Deep Sky, the Derby winner who finished third in the Tenno Sho, and finished in second place in the Japan Cup.
Vodka is being aimed at an overseas campaign in 2009 with Dubai in March being a prime assignment.
Vodka was also voted as Champion Older Mare for 2008. These awards come on top of her award as Best Two-Year-Old Filly of 2006 - and being the first female winner of the Japanese Derby for 64 years when successful in 2007.
A tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 2007 was a serious possibility for Vodka before injury put that plan on hold. Perhaps it will take international success to elevate this champion mare higher in World Rankings. Her equal 41st ranking a terrible error of consensus decision making.
2008 JRA Award
HORSE OF THE YEAR and BEST OLDER FILLY OR MARE:
VODKA
4-year-old, filly, by Tanino Gimlet-Tanino Sister (Rousillon)
Owner: Yuzo Tanimizu
Breeder: Country Bokujo
Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii
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