Agnes Tachyon
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| Agnes Tachyon アグネスタキオン | |
|---|---|
 Agnes Tachyon in the Radio Tampa Cup 3-year-old Stakes, December 2000 | |
| Breed | Thoroughbred |
| Sire |  Sunday Silence (USA) |
| Grandsire | Halo (USA) |
| Dam |  Agnes Flora (JPN) |
| Damsire | Royal Ski (USA) |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 13 April 1998 |
| Died | 22 June 2009 (aged 11) |
| Country | Japan |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Takao Watanabe |
| Owner | Takao Watanabe |
| Racing colours |  |
| Trainer | Hiroyuki Nagahama |
| Jockey | Hiroshi Kawachi |
| Record | 4: 4–0–0 |
| Earnings | ¥222,082,000[1] |
| Major wins | |
| Radio Tampa Hai Sansai Stakes (2000) Yayoi Sho (2001) Japanese Classic Race wins: Satsuki Shō (2001) | |
| Awards | |
| Leading sire in Japan (2008) | |
Agnes Tachyon (Japanese: アグネスタキオン, Hepburn: Agunesu Takion; 13 April 1998 – 22 June 2009) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse and a leading sire in Japan. His major wins include the Satsuki Shō, and the Yayoi Sho. He ran undefeated from 2000 until 2001, and was widely anticipated to win the year's Classic Triple Crown. However shortly after winning the Satsuki Shō, a bowed tendon suddenly ended his racing career, leading to newspapers referring to him as a 'phantom' Triple Crown winner.[2]
After retiring from racing, Agnes Tachyon had a successful stud career, siring many graded stakes-winning horses. He was named 2008's leading sire in Japan, ending his sire Sunday Silence's twelve-year streak as Japan's leading sire.
Background
[edit]Agnes Tachyon was sired by Sunday Silence and his dam Agnes Flora (by Royal Ski); Agnes Flora won the Oka Sho, and his granddam, Agnes Lady, won the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks),[3] while Sunday Silence had won the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, and was Japan's leading sire from 1995 to 2007.[4] Agnes Tachyon was the younger brother of the 2000 Tōkyō Yūshun winner Agnes Flight.The name "Tachyon" is derived from tachyonic particles, hypothetical particles which travel faster than the speed of light.[5]
Agnes Flora had mated with Sunday Silence several times before Agnes Tachyon's birth, with their first time occurring in Agnes Flora's first year as a broodmare, 1992. At the time, Sunday Silence had not yet sired any runners at Shadai, as it was his second year season as a stallion. In the following year, 1993, their first foal was born, a colt.[5] As successful horses from Sunday Silence had begun gaining popularity, this first foal was named "Agnes Takao", using Watanabe Takao's name.[6] Agnes Takao was entrusted to trainer Mitsumasa Hamada, but he could not perform as expected due to inherited leg weaknesses from his mother.[7] After mating twice with Tony Bin,[7] Sunday Silence was once again chosen as Agnes Flora's mating partner in 1996,[6] resulting in Agnes Flight being born on 2 March 1997 at Shadai Farm.[6] Agnes Flora and Sunday Silence were paired again later the same year, leading to Agnes Tachyon's birth in 1998.[8]
Racing career
[edit]2000: 2-year-old season
[edit]He made his debut relatively late, in a maiden race over 2,000 meters on the turf at Hanshin Racecourse in December 2000. Although he attracted much attention, being the full brother of Agnes Flight, his training times were not particularly impressive, so he was only the third favorite.[6] However, in the race, he recorded a final three-furlong split in a 33-second range, winning by a commanding three-and-a-half-lengths margin over the runner-up, Libroadcast. The favorite, Born King, finished fifth.
In the subsequent Radio Tampa Hai Sansai Stakes for 3-Year-Olds (now the Hopeful Stakes), the competition was even tougher, but he went on to win, setting a record time for a 2-year-old over 2,000m. Jungle Pocket finished second by two and a half lengths, and Kurofune came in third—a high-level contest in which future G1 winners took the top three spots. Despite adopting a strategy known as "early move", or sensing the slow pace, he began to surge as early as the third turn, and was neck-and-neck for the lead by the fourth turn. He recorded the fastest final three furlongs of any horse in the field, at 34.1 seconds.[9] After the race, jockey Kawachi was recorded saying, "I'm convinced this horse is in a league of its own." Trainer Nagahama highly praised Agnes Tachyon's performance, stating, "His racing style is better than his older brother's."[9]
In the selection for Best 2-Year-Old Colt, a press vote where the winner of the Asahi Hai Stakes had historically been chosen, Agnes Tachyon garnered an exceptional 119 votes. However, was defeated by Asahi Hai winner Mejiro Bailey, who received 147 votes.[10]
2001: 3-year-old season
[edit]Agnes Tachyon's owner had described him as having the potential to win the Triple Crown, and so he was entered into the Yayoi Sho, a major trial race for the Satsuki Sho, since both races are run over the same distance.[11] On a heavy track, he won by five lengths over the second-place finisher, Born King, while the future Kikuka-shō winner, Manhattan Cafe, finished fourth.[12]
Having performed so well in the qualifier race, and with Agnes Gold (who had been considered a top contender alongside Agnes Tachyon) withdrawn due to injury, he entered the Satsuki Sho as the overwhelming favorite.[13] He started the race with a win-only betting support rate of 59.4%, the second-highest in history at the time. He won the race by easily kicking off in the final spurt from a good mid-pack position, in fourth or fifth place.[14]
With this, he had won all four of his highly competitive races, and, since each victory had been achieved without any real threat, expectations were high for him to win the Triple Crown. However, on 2 May, he developed superficial flexor tendonitis in his left front leg and had to withdraw from the Japanese Derby. Nagahama, who had expressed concern even while celebrating his Satsuki Sho victory, saying, "I'm happy, but I'm worried he might end up like Agnes Gold (who fractured his leg)"[14] saw his fears become a reality.
He was subsequently sent to Shadai Farm for pasture rest, and following discussions among his trainer and owner, the decision was made to retire him. His retirement was announced to the public on 29 August.[15] A retirement ceremony was held at Hanshin Racecourse on 30 September.[14]
Racing form
[edit]Agnes Tachyon won four races out of four starts. This data is available on JBIS and netkeiba.[16][17] He raced on turf track in all of his races.
| Date | Racecourse | Race | Grade | Distance (Condition) |
Entry | HN | Odds
(Favored) |
Finish | Time | Margins | Jockey | Winner
(Runner-up) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 – two-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| 2 Dec | Hanshin | 2YO Newcomer | 2,000 m (Firm) | 10 | 4 | 5.8 (3) | 1st | 2:04.3 | –0.6 | Hiroshi Kawachi | (Rebroadcast) | |
| 23 Dec | Hanshin | Radio Tampa Hai Sansai Stakes | G3 | 2,000 m (Firm) | 12 | 2 | 4.5 (2) | 1st | R2:00.8 | –0.4 | Hiroshi Kawachi | (Jungle Pocket) |
| 2001 – three-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| 4 Mar | Nakayama | Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho | G2 | 2,000 m (Heavy) | 8 | 1 | 1.2 (1) | 1st | 2:05.7 | –0.8 | Hiroshi Kawachi | (Born King) |
| 15 Apr | Nakayama | Satsuki Sho | G1 | 2,000 m (Firm) | 18 | 7 | 1.3 (1) | 1st | 2:00.3 | –0.2 | Hiroshi Kawachi | (Dantsu Flame) |
- R indicated that it was a record time finish
Stud record
[edit]
Agnes Tachyon was assigned to the stud duty at Shadai Stallion Station. By 2008, he had produced many great foals, such as Daiwa Scarlet and Deep Sky. He was awarded as the leading sire in Japan that same year.[18] He died the year after from heart failure, at the age of eleven years old.[19]
Agnes Tachyon's prominent descendants include:[20][21]
c = colt, f = filly, bold = grade 1 stakes
| Name | Foaled | Sex | Major wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanzarote | 2003 | c | Procyon Stakes |
| Shonan Tachyon | 2003 | c | Niigata Nisai Stakes |
| Logic | 2003 | f | NHK Mile Cup |
| Daiwa Scarlet | 2004 | f | Oka Sho, Shūka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Osaka Hai, Arima Kinen |
| Admire Aura | 2004 | f | Yayoi Sho, Kyōto Kinen, Shinzan Kinen, |
| Shonan Talent | 2004 | f | Flower Cup |
| Meine Canna | 2004 | f | Fukushima Himba Stakes |
| Deep Sky | 2005 | c | Tokyo Yūshun, NHK Mile Cup |
| Admire Commando | 2005 | c | Aoba Sho |
| Rainbow Pegasus | 2005 | c | Kisaragi Sho, Sekiya Kinen |
| Daiwa Wild Boar | 2005 | c | St Lite Kinen |
| Little Amapola | 2005 | c | Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Queen Cup, Aichi Hai |
| Captain Thule | 2005 | c | Satsuki Shō, Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, Asahi Challenge Cup |
| Copano Jingu | 2005 | f | Meguro Kinen |
| Broad Street | 2006 | f | Rose Stakes |
| I Am Kamino Mago | 2006 | f | Hanshin Himba Stakes |
| Nike High Grade | 2006 | c | Haneda Hai |
| Sunrise Prince | 2007 | c | New Zealand Trophy |
| Quark Star | 2007 | c | St Lite Kinen |
| Ridill | 2007 | c | Swan Stakes, Daily Hai Nisai Stakes |
| Red Davis | 2008 | c | Shinzan Kinen, Mainichi Hai, Naruo Kinen |
| Reve d'Essor | 2008 | f | Daily Hai Nisai Stakes, Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Tulip Sho |
| I Am Actress | 2008 | f | Unicorn Stakes |
| Grandezza | 2009 | c | Spring Stakes, Tanabata Sho, Sapporo Nisai Stakes |
| Sound of Heart | 2009 | f | Hanshin Himba Stakes |
| Omega Heartland | 2009 | f | Flower Cup |
| Osumi Ichiban | 2009 | c | Diolite Kinen, Hyogo Championship |
| Northern River | 2009 | c | Sakitama Hai, Arlington Cup, Capella Stakes |
| Red Claudia | 2009 | f | Queen Sho |
| Red Arion | 2010 | c | Yomiuri Milers Cup, Sekiya Kinen |
| Jebel Musa | 2010 | c | Elm Stakes |
In popular culture
[edit]An anthropomorphized version of Agnes Tachyon appears as a character in the Japanese multimedia franchise Umamusume: Pretty Derby, voiced by Sumire Uesaka.[22] She is depicted as a mad scientist obsessed with pushing the physical limits of Umamusume, with her implied motive being that she wishes to overcome the limitations of her fragile legs using scientific methods. A movie featuring the character titled Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era released in Japan on 24 May 2024.[23][24]
Pedigree
[edit]| Sire Sunday Silence (USA) 1986 |
Halo (USA) 1969 |
Hail to Reason 1958 |
Turn-to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothirdchance | |||
| Cosmah 1953 |
Cosmic Bomb | ||
| Almahmoud | |||
| Wishing Well 1975 |
Understanding 1963 |
Promised Land | |
| Pretty Ways | |||
| Mountain Flower 1964 |
Montparnasse | ||
| Edelweiss | |||
| Dam Agnes Flora (JPN) 1987 |
Royal Ski 1974 |
Raja Baba 1968 |
Bold Ruler |
| Missy Baba | |||
| Coz o'Nijinsky 1969 |
Involvement | ||
| Gleam | |||
| Agnes Lady (JPN) 1976 |
Remand 1965 |
Alcide | |
| Admonish | |||
| Ikoma Eikan (JPN) 1967 |
Sallymount | ||
| Heatherlands (GB) (Family: 1-l) |
See also
[edit]- Fuji Kiseki – 1994 Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes winner; shared a similar undefeated career in 4 starts and retiring after a leg injury.
- List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
References
[edit]- ↑ "Agnes Tachyon". PedigreeQuery.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ↑ 光速のレジェンド(アグネスタキオン) [The Lightspeed Legend (Agnes Tachyon)]. netkeiba (in Japanese). 16 September 2013. Archived from the original on 2 May 2026. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ "Agnes Flora All Progeny | Horse Profile". netkeiba. Archived from the original on 16 November 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Sexton, Nancy (2 August 2022). "Japanese revolution". The Owner Breeder. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
- 1 2 Yushun, June 2008, p. 69
- 1 2 3 4 Yushun, June 2000, p. 31
- 1 2 Yushun, June 2008, p. 69
- ↑ Yushun, April 2019, p. 81
- 1 2 Nikkan Sports Magazine, 24 December 2000
- ↑ "Mejiro Bailey | Horse Profile, Pedigree, Form, Race Record". netkeiba. Archived from the original on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "HOCHI HAI YAYOI SHO (Japanese 2,000 Guineas Trial) (G2) - JRA Graded Races 2015 - Horse Racing in Japan". japanracing.jp. Archived from the original on 29 December 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "HOCHI HAI YAYOI SHO (G2) Full Result | 4 March 2001 R11 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "アグネスタキオンと共に起こした"アグネス旋風" 01年スプリングSを振り返る | 競馬ニュース". netkeiba (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 11 March 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 3 Nikkan Sports, 16 April 2001
- ↑ "2冠馬ディープスカイの引退式が行われる | 馬産地ニュース | 競走馬のふるさと案内所". uma-furusato.com. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Race Records | Agnes Tachyon(JPN)". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Archived from the original on 27 July 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ "Agnes Tachyon Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 24 February 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Hunter, Avalyn (6 January 2009). "Daiwa Scarlet World Tour '09?". www.bloodhorse.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
- ↑ Bayer, Barbara (24 June 2009). "Top stallion Agnes Tachyon dies". The Japan Times Online. Archived from the original on 30 June 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ↑ "Agnes Tachyon". Ahonoora. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ↑ Australian Stud Book: Agnes Tachyon (JPN) Archived 5 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 13 November 2010
- ↑ アグネスタキオン|ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト|Cygames [Agnes Tachyon|Official Umamusume Pretty Derby Character Profile|Cygames]. ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
- ↑ "『ウマ娘』初の映画化決定で来年5月公開 映像解禁で主人公はジャングルポケット". ORICON NEWS. 28 December 2023. Archived from the original on 16 June 2026. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
- ↑ Mateo, Alex (27 December 2023). "Uma Musume Pretty Derby Franchise Gets Anime Film in May 2024". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 27 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2025.
