In Japanese, the word toppi (突飛) is defined as “extraordinary, unexpected.” On Saturday, a racehorse embodied that meaning by producing a victory both startling and record‑breaking. Indeed, the phrase “Names and natures do often agree” could not be more apt for Toppi Born.
On the eve of the G1 Satsuki Sho, in an early‑afternoon allowance for one‑win horses at Hanshin Racecourse, Toppi Born made only his third career start. The colt blew the break, spotting all six rivals an immediate advantage.
That said, jockey Yutaka Take did not panic. In January’s debut run, Toppi Born had also broken slowly and found himself second‑last early.
On that occasion he rallied for fourth, yet what he produced this time was on another level altogether. At one point some 10 lengths adrift in sixth, he gradually found a rhythm, rejoined the pack at the 1000m mark (covered in 59.0 seconds) and continued to build momentum.
Rounding the final bend, he entered the straight in fourth. Before Take needed to raise his whip, Toppi Born surged past the leaders, accelerated again and drew away to score by four lengths, registering his second victory.
— Team Iwata (@JayRAye02) April 19, 2025
The winning time was as stunning as the manner of victory. His final time of 1:57.9 eclipsing the previous Hanshin 2000m record for a three‑year‑old – 1:58.0 by Stellaria in the 2021 Listed Wasurenagusa Sho – and standing as the fastest ever by a horse of that age at the distance.
For reference, Deep Impact’s time in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai (2005) was 1:58.4. In 2020, future Group 1 winner Potager captured the same race in an identical 1:58.4, but both performances came in the latter half of their three‑year‑old seasons.
Furthermore, when Kyoto Racecourse was closed for renovation in 2022, the G1 Shuka Sho was staged at Hanshin in October; Stunning Rose’s winning time there was 1:58.6. Although just two three‑year‑old Group 1 races have ever been contested over this course and distance, Toppi Born’s clocking surpassed them both.
Still only three years and one month old, he posted this time in the first half of his sophomore season – an achievement that must be considered phenomenal.
“He was strong,” Take said. “His final burst was quite something. This makes his future exciting.”
Toppi Born is by Real Steel, now widely recognized as the sire of G1 Saudi Cup winner Forever Young. Although Real Steel’s representative offspring excel on dirt, his progeny record in JRA racing (as of 18 April) shows 109 turf wins versus 74 on dirt, underscoring his reputation as a stallion that delivers on all surfaces.
The dam Chika Noir raced in the same Kieffers silks as Do Deuce and Al Riffa. Toppi Born’s owner, Kazuaki Matsushima, is the son of Masaaki Matsushima, head of Kieffers, and the colt accordingly sports colours of a similar design.
With less than two months until the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), anticipation naturally turns to the emergence of new stars, yet scheduling constraints suggest connections may adopt a longer‑term view.
Even if Toppi Born is aimed at the Derby, he must first secure sufficient prizemoney, by running in one of the Derby trials, to claim one of the eighteen berths. However, for Toppi Born, who has already had three runs since his Newcomer in January, a campaign in which he would run a maximum of two further races including the Derby on 1 June is likely to represent a severe test.
Connections have confirmed that the G2 Kyoto Shimbun Hai (2200m) at Kyoto on May 10 will be Toppi Born’s next start. Since the start of the year – namely, among horses that debuted as three‑year‑old – the most recent example of winning this trial race dates back to 2019 with Red Genial. On that occasion the colt won the Kyoto Shimbun Hai in his fifth start and finished eighth in the Derby 22 days later.
Likewise the 2011 winner Cresco Grand also debuted in January and, without a long break, captured the Kyoto Shimbun Hai at its sixth start, thereafter posting a commendable fifth‑place finish in the Derby.
Hot on the heels of Bellagio Opera’s track record victory in the G1 Osaka Hai a fortnight ago, Toppi Born has produced another electrifying time over Hanshin’s 2000m. It may be some while before he appears on a Group 1 stage, but his extraordinary – indeed ‘toppi’ – talent demands close attention.
Future Outlook: A late‑blooming prospect with the potential to make a major impact ∎
