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Vodka (horse)
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese Thoroughbred
racemare
that won the 2007 Group One
(GI) Tokyo Yūshun
(Japanese Derby), the first filly to win this race in 64 years, as well as winning the 2009 Japan Cup
. She won seven G1 races in Japan and is the highest earning racemare in Thoroughbred history.
's Shizunai. She is a bay mare by the 2002 Tokyo Yushun (Derby) winner, Tanino Gimlet out of Tanino Sister by Rousillon (USA).
before she won the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
race at the Hanshin Racecourse
. Vodka was then awarded the 2007 Japanese Champion Two Year old Filly.
(Cherry Blossom Awards), the first race of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown
, Daiwa Scarlet
relegated Vodka into second place. Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka would go on to meet a total of four times that year. Daiwa Scarlet defeated her in three of those races. One of those wasn't a win though, in the 2007 G1 Arima Kinen
at Nakayama Racecourse
, Daiwa Scarlet finished second to Matsurida Gogh, with Vodka finishing 11th.
Vodka's next race start was in the G1 Tokyo Yūshun
, also known as the Japanese Derby, the second jewel in the Japanese Triple Crown. Fillies are usually they are entered into the Yushun Himba
, also known as the Japanese Oaks, which is the second jewel of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown
. In a move that shocked the racing world, Vodka won handily, defeating a field of some of the best three-year-old colts in the country. She became the first filly to win the race in 64 years.
Vodka was unplaced in her next start before racing in the G1 Shuka Sho
, which is the last race of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown races. Daiwa Scarlet won the race, with Vodka finishing in third place. She was entered in the 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup
, but was scratched a few hours before the race due to what was thought to be a hip problem. In her next start Vodka finished 4th in the G1 Japan Cup
Vodka was then unplaced in her last start of the season.
Her 9 race starts of the season resulted in 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third placing.
. She came in a fast closing fourth. Returning Japan Vodka narrowly lost the G1 Victoria Mile
in May. She easily won the G1 Yasuda Kinen
in June and defeated Daiwa Scarlet
in the G1 Tenno Sho
(Autumn). Even though she was heavily favored, she was unable to win the G1 Japan Cup
and came in a close third to Screen Hero.
During 2008 Vodka had 8 starts for the above 2 wins, 2 seconds in the G1 Victoria Mile
and G2 Mainichi Okan; 1 third in the G1 Japan Cup
and 1 fourth in the G1 Dubai Duty Free.
Her 7 race starts of the season resulted in 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third placing. Vodka was voted Horse of the Year, for the second consecutive year and became the first female to win the title twice.
Her main jockey
s included Hirofumi Shii, who rode her in four wins, and Yutaka Take, in three wins. In her final two races Vodka was ridden by Frenchman Christophe Lemaire, who rode her in the Japan Cup victory.
Vodka finished her racing career with a total 10 wins in 22 races in Japan, with wins in seven grade I races, including the 2006 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the 2007 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), the 2008 Yasuda Kinen and Tenno Sho (Autumn), the 2009 Victoria Mile, Yasuda Kinen and Japan Cup. She equalled the record of the Japanese Triple Crown winners Symboli Rudolf and Deep Impact, as well as T.M.Opera O, for the most grade 1 races won in Japan.
to Ireland
to be mated to the 2009 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
winner, Sea the Stars
at the Aga Khan
's Gilltown Stud in County Kildare. On 2 May 2011 Vodka foaled a brown colt as a result of this mating.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racemare
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
that won the 2007 Group One
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
(GI) Tokyo Yūshun
Tokyo Yushun
The , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby), the first filly to win this race in 64 years, as well as winning the 2009 Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
. She won seven G1 races in Japan and is the highest earning racemare in Thoroughbred history.
Breeding
Vodka was foaled on 4 April 2004 at Country Bokujo in HokkaidoHokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
's Shizunai. She is a bay mare by the 2002 Tokyo Yushun (Derby) winner, Tanino Gimlet out of Tanino Sister by Rousillon (USA).
At two years: 2006
In 2006, Vodka won her first race start and was second in the ungraded Kigiku Sho race which was also contested at the Kyoto RacecourseKyoto Racecourse
is located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is used for horse racing. It has a capacity of 120,000. It was built in 1999. It has 28,000 seats.-Physical attributes:Kyoto Race Course has two turf courses, a dirt course, and a jump course....
before she won the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
The Hanshin Juvenile Fillies is a one mile turf stakes race for thoroughbred fillies two years old. It is considered the de facto year-end championship for Japanese thoroughbred racing in the two-year-old fillies division.- Winners :*2010 - Rêve d'Essor...
race at the Hanshin Racecourse
Hanshin Racecourse
is located in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan. It is used for horse racing. The land was originally owned by Kawanishi Aircraft Company, which manufactured combat planes during World War II. After the WWII, GHQ ordered the company to stop manufacturing combat planes, which ended in closing the factory. In...
. Vodka was then awarded the 2007 Japanese Champion Two Year old Filly.
At three years: 2007
In 2007, Vodka won her first start in the ungraded Elfin Stakes, followed by another win in the G3 Tulip Stakes, from Daiwa Scarlet, who finished in second place. At her next start on 8 April, in the G1 Oka ShoOka Sho
The is a Japanese Domestic Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 1,600 metres at the Hanshin Racecourse, Takarazuka, Hyōgo in April....
(Cherry Blossom Awards), the first race of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
, Daiwa Scarlet
Daiwa Scarlet
is a Japanese racehorse which won the 2007 Oka Sho, Shūka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup and the 2008 Arima Kinen....
relegated Vodka into second place. Daiwa Scarlet and Vodka would go on to meet a total of four times that year. Daiwa Scarlet defeated her in three of those races. One of those wasn't a win though, in the 2007 G1 Arima Kinen
Arima Kinen
The Arima Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,500 metres at Nakayama Racecourse, and it takes place annually in late December...
at Nakayama Racecourse
Nakayama Racecourse
is located in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. It is used for horse racing. It has a capacity of 165,676. It was built in 1990. It has 15,944 seats.-Physical attributes:Nakayama Race Course has two grass courses, a dirt course, and a jump course....
, Daiwa Scarlet finished second to Matsurida Gogh, with Vodka finishing 11th.
Vodka's next race start was in the G1 Tokyo Yūshun
Tokyo Yushun
The , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
, also known as the Japanese Derby, the second jewel in the Japanese Triple Crown. Fillies are usually they are entered into the Yushun Himba
Yushun Himba
The , also known as the is a Japanese domestic Grade 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in May....
, also known as the Japanese Oaks, which is the second jewel of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
. In a move that shocked the racing world, Vodka won handily, defeating a field of some of the best three-year-old colts in the country. She became the first filly to win the race in 64 years.
Vodka was unplaced in her next start before racing in the G1 Shuka Sho
Shūka Sho
The is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 2,000 metres at the Kyoto Racecourse, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture in October....
, which is the last race of the Japanese Filly Triple Crown races. Daiwa Scarlet won the race, with Vodka finishing in third place. She was entered in the 2007 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup
Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup
The Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup is an International Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 2,200 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November.The race was first run in 1976 over a distance of 2,400 metres...
, but was scratched a few hours before the race due to what was thought to be a hip problem. In her next start Vodka finished 4th in the G1 Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
Vodka was then unplaced in her last start of the season.
Her 9 race starts of the season resulted in 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third placing.
At four years: 2008
In her first start of the season Vodka was unplaced in the G2 Memorial Kyoto race. Vodka went to Dubai in the spring of 2008 to race in the G1 Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup NightDubai World Cup Night
Dubai World Cup Night is a series of six thoroughbred horse races held annually at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. From 1996 through 2009, the event was held at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse....
. She came in a fast closing fourth. Returning Japan Vodka narrowly lost the G1 Victoria Mile
Victoria Mile
The Victoria Mile is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Tokyo Racecourse in May.- Winners:...
in May. She easily won the G1 Yasuda Kinen
Yasuda Kinen
The Yasuda Kinen is a Japanese International Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at the Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo. Raced annually each June, the Yasuda Kinen is run at a distance of eight furlongs on turf and is open to horses three years of age and up...
in June and defeated Daiwa Scarlet
Daiwa Scarlet
is a Japanese racehorse which won the 2007 Oka Sho, Shūka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup and the 2008 Arima Kinen....
in the G1 Tenno Sho
Tenno Sho
The Tennō Shō is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. "Tenno" means "Emperor of Japan". The races are both International Grade I races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were Japanese domestic Grade I races.-Spring:The Spring Tenno Sho...
(Autumn). Even though she was heavily favored, she was unable to win the G1 Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
and came in a close third to Screen Hero.
During 2008 Vodka had 8 starts for the above 2 wins, 2 seconds in the G1 Victoria Mile
Victoria Mile
The Victoria Mile is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Tokyo Racecourse in May.- Winners:...
and G2 Mainichi Okan; 1 third in the G1 Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
and 1 fourth in the G1 Dubai Duty Free.
At five years: 2009
Vodka’s successive wins in the Yasuda Kinen had only been duplicated once before, by Yamanin Zephyr in 1992 and 1993. In the 2009 running, another photo finish decided the winner, in which the five-year-old mare Vodka on her third Japan Cup try with the French jockey Christophe Lemaire won by a nose over the 2008 Kikuka Sho winner Oken Bruce Lee, in a time of 2 minutes and 22.4 seconds, the third-fastest Japan Cup ever run at the standard 2,400-meter distance. Vodka's win would make her the second highest earning racehorse in Japan. Vodka placed 4th in the 2007 running to Admire Moon and 3rd in the 2008 running to Screen Hero, in which the latter ran 13th in the 2009 race. Vodka had a nosebleed during the Japan Cup and was prohibited from racing for a month according to Japan Racing Association rules.Her 7 race starts of the season resulted in 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third placing. Vodka was voted Horse of the Year, for the second consecutive year and became the first female to win the title twice.
At six years: 2010
Vodka had her first start on the synthetic Tapeta Footings surface in the Dubai International Racing Carnival Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G2), after racing exclusively on turf in each of her previous 25 starts. In this race she finished eighth and was retired following another nasal bleeding attack.Her main jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
s included Hirofumi Shii, who rode her in four wins, and Yutaka Take, in three wins. In her final two races Vodka was ridden by Frenchman Christophe Lemaire, who rode her in the Japan Cup victory.
Vodka finished her racing career with a total 10 wins in 22 races in Japan, with wins in seven grade I races, including the 2006 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the 2007 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), the 2008 Yasuda Kinen and Tenno Sho (Autumn), the 2009 Victoria Mile, Yasuda Kinen and Japan Cup. She equalled the record of the Japanese Triple Crown winners Symboli Rudolf and Deep Impact, as well as T.M.Opera O, for the most grade 1 races won in Japan.
Stud record
She was retired from racing in 2010 and was shipped from DubaiDubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
to be mated to the 2009 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
winner, Sea the Stars
Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred colt racehorse. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan - the...
at the Aga Khan
Aga Khan
Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the Imam of the largest branch of the Ismā'īlī followers of the Shī‘a faith. They affirm the Imamat of the descendants of Ismail ibn Jafar, eldest son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, while the larger Twelver branch of Shi`ism follows Ismail's younger brother Musa...
's Gilltown Stud in County Kildare. On 2 May 2011 Vodka foaled a brown colt as a result of this mating.