15 years ago today

[Calzone Lord]

One the greatest confrontations between awesome horses with layoff lines happened...and in Japan of all places.

October 11th 1998:

You had Silence Suzuka, an invincible 4-year-old, under 130lbs, who was incredibly good since his connections allowed him to run-off in the early stages of races.




You had El Condor Pasa, a sensational 3-year-old, under 126lbs.




And you had a former two-year-old champion, Grass Wonder, making his 3yo debut under 121lbs. Grass Wonder is a full brother to multiple Grade 1 winning US millionaire Wonder Again.





Such a great race to watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulekp5jedFM


Silence Suzuka was cutting back from 11 furlongs, where he had just lasted in a Grade 1 victory over Stay Gold (the sire of two-time Arc de Triomphe second place finisher, Orfevre)

Normally out in front by a city block, Silence Suzuka was only a few lengths clear early. The crowd got very excited when Grass Wonder made a move on the far turn, he faded to fifth. El Condor Pasa surged for second but never even remotely threatened the winner.

Look at the subsequent form for those horses. Silence Suzuka broke down on a 12 length lead in an important Gr 1 race in his next start.

El Condor Pasa firmly established himself as one of the greatest Japanese horses ever. He shipped six-thousand miles to race in Europe, and beat an all-star Group 1 field there over good ground.

Soundly beaten 2nd place finisher Tiger Hill won back to back Euro Group 1's in his next two starts. 3rd place finisher Dream Well was a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe. 4th place finisher Sagamix was the previous years Arc winner. 5th place finisher Borgia was a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe. The 7th place finisher came back to win a Group 1 the following year, and was a good second to Giant's Causeway and Fantastic Light.

He concluded an excellent four race campaign in Europe with a good 2nd in the Arc over boggy ground. A lot of good horses were very soundly beaten in that race, including Daylami and Fantastic Light for Godolphin.

Obviously, Grass Wonder came right back and established elite Group 1 level form.

1998 was a real exceptional year for Japanese horse racing. And all 3 of these horses in this race 15 years ago had US pedigree ties.