Grass Wonder

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Grass Wonder
Grass Wonder at Nakayama Racecourse on 26 December 1999
SireSilver Hawk
GrandsireRoberto
DamAmeriflora
DamsireDanzig
SexStallion
Foaled(1995-02-18)18 February 1995[1]
Died8 August 2025(2025-08-08) (aged 30)
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederPhillips Racing Partnership & John Phillips
OwnerHanzawa Co., Ltd.
TrainerMitsuhiro Ogata
Record15: 9-1-0
Earnings¥691,646,000
Major wins
Keisei Hai Sansai Stakes (1997)
Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes (1997)
Arima Kinen (1998, 1999)
Keio Hai Spring Cup (1999)
Takarazuka Kinen (1999)
Mainichi Okan (1999)
Awards
Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Colt (1997)
JRA Special Award (1999)
Timeform rating: 126

Grass Wonder (Japanese: グラスワンダー, Hepburn: Gurasu Wandā; 18 February 1995 – 8 August 2025) was an American-bred Japanese-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from 1997 until 2000 he won nine of his fifteen races including four Grade I races. He was the leading juvenile colt in Japan in 1997 when he was unbeaten in four races, culminating in a victory in the Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes. He missed most of his second season with injury problems but returned in autumn to win the Arima Kinen. He reached his peak as a four-year-old when he won the Takarazuka Kinen and a second Arima Kinen. He failed to win in three races in 2000 and was retired to stud. He had some success as a breeding stallion.

Background

Grass Wonder was a chestnut horse with a white star, standing 15.3½ hands high[2] bred in Kentucky by Phillips Racing Partnership & John Phillips, of the Darby Dan Farm.[3] He was sired by Silver Hawk, an American-bred colt who finished third in the 1982 Epsom Derby and later became a successful breeding stallion, siring the 1997 Epsom Derby winner Benny the Dip, the 1999 St Leger winner Mutafaweq and the leading American turf performer Hawkster.[4] Grass Wonder's dam Ameriflora was an unraced daughter of Danzig. She was a great-granddaughter of Soaring,[5] an American broodmare who was the ancestor of many major winners including Glorious Song, Saint Ballado, Rahy and Singspiel.[6]

The yearling was consigned to the Keeneland sale in September 1996 and was bought for $250,000 by Nobuo Tsunoda.[7] Grass Wonder was exported to Japan where he was trained by Mitsuhiro Ogata and was mainly ridden in his races by Hitoshi Matoba.[8][9]

Racing career

1997: two-year-old season

Grass Wonder began his racing by defeating nine opponents in a maiden race over 1800 metres at Nakayama Racecourse on 13 September 1997. A month later he followed up in the Ivy Stakes over 1400 metres at Tokyo Racecourse, winning from Machikane Sanshiro. In November he was moved up in class for the Grade II Keisei Hai Sansai Stakes over the same course and distance and won from Machikane Sanshiro and Courir Cyclone.[10] On his final start of the season, Grass Wonder was one of fifteen colts to contest Japan's most prestigious race for juveniles, the Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes over 1600 metres at Nakayama on 7 December. Ridden by Matoba, he won by two and a half lengths from Meiner Love (later to win the Sprinters Stakes) who took second ahead of Figaro and Agnes World.[11]

Grass Wonder was voted Japanese Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 1997 at the JRA Awards.[12]

1998: three-year-old season

As a foreign-bred horse, Grass Wonder was not eligible to race in many of the major Japanese races for three-year-olds, and when he sustained a leg injury in March 1998 it was decided to reserve him for an autumn campaign. He made his first appearance of the year he finished fifth behind Silence Suzuka in the Grade II Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres at Tokyo in October.[13] In the following month he was moved up in distance for the Grade II Copa Republica Argentina over 2500 metres at Tokyo and finished sixth behind Yusei Top Run.[10]

Despite his lack of form in 1998, Grass Wonder was one of sixteen horses selected to run in the Arima Kinen over 2500 metres at Nakayama on 27 December. His opponents included Air Groove (Tenno Sho (autumn)), Matikanefukukitaru (Kikuka Sho), Mejiro Bright (Tenno Sho (spring)), Mejiro Dober (Shuka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup), Offside Trap (Tenno Sho (autumn)), Seiun Sky (Satsuki Sho, Kikuka Sho), Silk Justice (Defending Champion), Stay Gold and Yusei Top Run. Grass Wonder won by half a length from Mejiro Bright with a gap of two and a half lengths back to Stay Gold who took third place ahead of Seiun Sky.[14]

1999: four-year-old season

Mitsuhiro Ogata, who trained Grass Wonder throughout his racing career

Grass Wonder began his third season in the Grade II Keio Hai Spring Cup over 1400 metres at Tokyo on 15 May. He won by three quarters of a length from Air Jihad, to whom he was conceding four pounds. The unplaced horses included Phalaenopsis (Oka Sho, Shuka Sho) and the Godolphin challenger Lend A Hand (Gran Criterium).[15] On 13 June over 1600 metres Grass Wonder faced Air Jihad at level weights in the Yasuda Kinen. He was beaten a nose by his rival with the pair finishing two and a half lengths clear of Seeking The Pearl (Prix Maurice de Gheest) in third place. Grass Wonder returned to middle distances for the Takarazuka Kinen over 2200 metres at Hanshin Racecourse on 11 July and was matched for the first time against Special Week, a colt who had won the Tokyo Yushun in 1998 and the spring edition of the Tenno Sho. The other runners included Matikanefukukitaru and Stay Gold. Grass Wonder defeated Special Week with a gap of seven lengths back to Stay Gold in third.[16]

After a break of almost three months, Grass Wonder returned for the Grade II Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres at Tokyo on 10 October and won from Meisho Odo and Embrasser Moi.[10] On 26 December at Nakayama, Grass Wonder attempted to become the fourth horse following Speed Symboli, Symboli Rudolf and Oguri Cap to win back-to-back runnings of the Arima Kinen. His main opponents in the fourteen runner field included Mejiro Bright, Narita Top Road, Phalaenopsis, Special Week, Stay Gold, Symboli Indy (NHK Mile Cup) and T. M. Opera O (Satsuki Sho). The race produced a dramatic finish with the lead changing hand several times in the last 200 metres, but Grass Wonder prevailed by a nose and a neck from Special Week and T. M. Opera O with Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi half a length away in fourth.[17]

For his efforts over the course of the season, Grass Wonder was given a special award at the JRA Awards for 1999.

2000: five-year-old season

Grass Wonder remained in training as a five-year-old colt but failed to reproduce his best form. He finished sixth behind Leo Ryuho in the Grade II Nikkei Sho over 2500 metres at Nakayama on 26 March and then ran unplaced behind the filly Stinger in the Keio Hai Spring Cup. In his final race the horse ran for the second time in the Takarazuka Kinen and finished sixth of the eleven runners behind T. M. Opera O.[18]

Racing form

The following racing form is based on information available on JBIS Search [19] and netkeiba.com [20]

Date Distance (Condition) Race Class Course Field HN Odds
(Favored)		 Finish Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin		 Jockey Winner
(2nd Place)		 Ref
1997 – two-year-old season
Sep 13 Turf 1800 m (Firm) Two Year Old Debut Nakayama 10 9 01.5 (1) 1st 1:52.4 3 lengths Hitoshi Matoba (Bildschon) [21]
Oct 12 Turf 1400 m (Firm) Ivy Stakes OP Tokyo 9 8 01.4 (1) 1st 1:21.9 5 lengths Hitoshi Matoba (Machikane Sanshiro) [22]
Nov 8 Turf 1400 m (Firm) Keisei Hai Sansai Stakes GII Tokyo 9 2 01.1 (1) 1st 1:21.9 6 lengths Hitoshi Matoba (Machikane Sanshiro) [23]
Dec 7 Turf 1600 m (Firm) Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes GI Nakayama 15 11 01.3 (1) 1st R1:33.6 2+1⁄2 lengths Hitoshi Matoba (Meiner Love) [24]
1998 – three-year-old season
Oct 11 Turf 1800 m (Firm) Mainichi Okan GII Tokyo 9 6 03.7 (2) 5th 1:46.4 (8+1⁄2 lengths) Hitoshi Matoba Silence Suzuka [25]
Nov 7 Turf 2500 m (Firm) Copa Republica Argentina GII Tokyo 18 13 03.0 (1) 6th 2:33.5 (3+1⁄2 lengths) Hitoshi Matoba Yusei Top Run [26]
Dec 27 Turf 2500 m (Firm) Arima Kinen GI Nakayama 16 2 14.5 (4) 1st 2:32.1 1⁄2 length Hitoshi Matoba (Mejiro Bright) [27]
1999 – four-year-old season
May 15 Turf 1400 m (Firm) Keio Hai Spring Cup GII Tokyo 18 5 02.1 (1) 1st 1:20.5 3⁄4 length Hitoshi Matoba (Air Jihad) [28]
Jun 13 Turf 1600 m (Firm) Yasuda Kinen GI Tokyo 14 7 01.3 (1) 2nd 1:33.3 (nose) Hitoshi Matoba Air Jihad [29]
Jul 11 Turf 2200 m (Firm) Takarazuka Kinen GI Hanshin 12 5 02.8 (2) 1st 2:12.1 3 lengths Hitoshi Matoba (Special Week) [30]
Oct 10 Turf 1800 m (Firm) Mainichi Okan GII Tokyo 10 8 01.2 (1) 1st 1:45.8 nose Hitoshi Matoba (Meisho Odo) [31]
Dec 26 Turf 2500 m (Firm) Arima Kinen GI Nakayama 14 7 02.8 (1) 1st 2:37.2 nose Hitoshi Matoba (Special Week) [32]
2000 – five-year-old season
Mar 26 Turf 2500 m (Firm) Nikkei Sho GII Nakayama 10 7 01.3 (1) 6th 2:36.3 (6 lengths) Hitoshi Matoba Leo Ryuho [33]
May 14 Turf 1400 m (Firm) Keio Hai Spring Cup GII Tokyo 18 8 02.4 (1) 9th 1:21.6 (4+1⁄2 lengths) Hitoshi Matoba Stinger [34]
Jun 25 Turf 2200 m (Firm) Takarazuka Kinen GI Hanshin 11 11 02.8 (2) 6th 2:14.7 (5+3⁄4 lengths) Masayoshi Ebina T. M. Opera O [35]
  • R on the time indicates that this was a record time

Retirement and stud record

Grass Wonder in retirement, 2002

Grass Wonder was retired from racing to stand at the Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido. He later moved to the Breeders' Stallion Station where he was based in 2015.[2][36]

The best of his offspring have included:

Death

Grass Wonder died at Big Red Farm on 8 August 2025, after suffering multiple organ failures linked to old age. He was 30.[41][8][42]

An anthropomorphized version of Grass Wonder appears in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, voiced by Rena Maeda.[41][43] Phillips was unfamiliar with Umamusume,[44] whereas Maeda is a horse racing fan who visited the real Grass Wonder in 2018.[45][46] The character is a gentle and calm girl born in America who aspires to be the ideal Yamato nadeshiko.[47] Her career mode in the video game and role in the anime take inspiration from the real horse's racing, such as a rivalry with series protagonist Special Week and comparisons to her upperclassman Maruzensky.[47][44][48]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Grass Wonder (USA), chestnut stallion, 1995[1]
Sire
Silver Hawk (USA)
1979		 Roberto (USA)
1969		 Hail To Reason Turn-To
Nothirdchance
Bramalea Nashua
Rarelea
Gris Vitesse (USA)
1966		 Amerigo Nearco
Sanlinea
Matchiche Mat de Cocagne
Chimere Fabuleuse
Dam
Ameriflora (USA)
1989		 Danzig (USA)
1977		 Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Pas de Nom Admiral's Voyage
Petitioner
Graceful Touch (USA)
1978		 His Majesty Ribot
Flower Bowl
Pi Phi Girl Raise a Native
Soaring (Family 12-c)[6]

References

  1. "Grass Wonder pedigree". Equineline.
  2. "Grass Wonder – Stallions in Japan 2015". Japanese Horse Racing Association.
  3. "Darby Dan History". Darby Dan Farm.
  4. "Silver Hawk – Stud Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  5. "Ameriflora pedigree". Equineline.
  6. "Meynell – Family 12-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  7. Grass Wonder auction history
  8. "グラスワンダー死す 主戦騎手を務めた的場均師「気持ちが強いチャンピオンホース、安らかに眠ってほしい」" [Grass Wonder dies – Former main jockey Hitoshi Matoba: "A champion horse with a strong spirit. I hope he rests in peace."]. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). 8 August 2025. Archived from the original on 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  9. "Champion Grass Wonder, The Grandsire Of Maurice, Dies At 30". Thoroughbred Daily News. 8 August 2025.
  10. "Race Records:Lifetime Starts – Grass Wonder". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
  11. "Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes result". Racing Post. 7 December 1997.
  12. "2-time Arima Kinen champion Grass Wonder dies at 30". Yahoo Sports. 8 August 2025.
  13. "11 OCT 1998 (Sun): MAINICHI OKAN G2". netkeiba.
  14. "Arima Kinen result 1998". Racing Post. 27 December 1998.
  15. "Keio Hai Spring Cup result". Racing Post. 15 May 1999.
  16. "Takarazuka Kinen result 1999". Racing Post. 11 July 1999.
  17. "Arima Kinen result 1999". Racing Post. 26 December 1999.
  18. "Takarazuka Kinen result 2000". Racing Post. 25 June 2000.
  19. "Race Records | Grass Wonder(USA) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  20. "Grass Wonder Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  21. "7R サラ系3才新馬 | 1997年9月13日". JBIS (in Japanese). 13 September 1997. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  22. "9R アイビーS オープン | 1997年10月12日". JBIS (in Japanese). 12 October 1997. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  23. "11R 京成杯3歳S | 1997年11月8日". JBIS (in Japanese). 8 November 1997. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  24. "11R 朝日杯3歳S | 1997年12月7日". JBIS (in Japanese). 7 December 1997. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  25. "11R 毎日王冠 | 1998年10月11日". JBIS (in Japanese). 11 October 1998. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  26. "11R AR共和国杯 | 1998年11月7日". JBIS (in Japanese). 7 November 1998. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  27. "9R 有馬記念 | 1998年12月27日". JBIS (in Japanese). 27 December 1998. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  28. "11R 京王杯スプリングC | 1999年5月15日". JBIS (in Japanese). 15 May 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  29. "11R 安田記念 | 1999年6月13日". JBIS (in Japanese). 13 June 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  30. "11R 宝塚記念 | 1999年7月11日". JBIS (in Japanese). 11 July 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  31. "11R 毎日王冠 | 1999年10月10日". JBIS (in Japanese). 10 October 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  32. "9R 有馬記念 | 1999年12月26日". JBIS (in Japanese). 26 December 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  33. "11R 日経賞 | 2000年3月26日". JBIS (in Japanese). 26 March 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  34. "11R 京王杯スプリングC | 2000年5月14日". JBIS (in Japanese). 14 May 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  35. "11R 宝塚記念 | 2000年6月25日". JBIS (in Japanese). 25 June 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2026.
  36. "Grass Wonder – Stud Record". Racing Post.
  37. "Race Records:Lifetime Starts – Sakura Mega Wonder". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
  38. "Race Records:Lifetime Starts – Screen Hero". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
  39. Blood-Horse Staff (26 June 2011). "Earnestly Gains BC Turf Slot With Japan Win". The Blood-Horse.
  40. "Race Records:Lifetime Starts – Seiun Wonder". Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association.
  41. "'Uma Musume' mourns death of Japanese racehorse Grass Wonder". United Press International. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  42. "Legendary racehorse & Umamusume icon Grass Wonder dies at 30". Dexerto. 8 August 2025.
  43. "グラスワンダー｜ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト｜Cygames". ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  44. Morgan, David (26 August 2025). "Kentucky To Cult Hero: The Legend Of Grass Wonder". Idol Horse. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  45. "『ウマ娘』声優、競走馬を命名!走る姿の動画公開 グラスワンダー役・前田玲奈「しっかり走れててえらい!」". Oricon (in Japanese). 9 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  46. Lozano, Kurt (8 August 2025). "Grass Wonder, the Japanese racehorse that inspired the Umamusume character, has passed away". GosuGamers. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  47. Chikara, Kawai (31 August 2025). "『ウマ娘』でも描かれる強豪ライバルたちとの激闘　グラスワンダーが宿敵と演じた伝説の「大接戦」" (in Japanese). Sportiva. Retrieved 20 April 2026.
  48. Cygames. Umamusume: Pretty Derby. Scene: Grass Wonder – Career. Level/area: The Beast's Successor. Reporter A: 'That's why people started calling her the Beast in the first place... But now, Grass Wonder has entered the picture!' / Symboli Rudolf: '...Hmm.' / Reporter A: 'She's already this strong, and she hasn't even debuted yet! Heck, she hasn't even been scouted yet! [...] She's right up there with Maruzensky! I think the Beast's Successor would be the perfect nickname for her!'