Jockey Keita Tosaki's 'Very Very Horse!' Catchphrase Becomes SNS Sensation After Elizabeth Queen Cup Victory

Jockey Keita Tosaki and Regaleira secured a brilliant victory in the recent G1 Elizabeth Queen Cup horse race, and amidst the lingering excitement, Tosaki's exclamation of 'Very Very Horse!' has become a major topic of discussion, especially on social media.

Regaleira maintained an excellent position throughout the race, unleashing an astonishing burst of speed in the final stretch – the fastest of all – to overtake her rivals and claim her first G1 victory at Kyoto Racecourse. This win showcased a new facet of Regaleira, who had previously been noted for strong performances at Nakayama, proving she's 'not just a Nakayama horse.' The victory, achieved without foreign jockeys' horses in contention, contrary to common data trends, surprised and deeply moved many fans.

In the post-race victory interview, Jockey Tosaki's utterance of 'Very Very Horse!' elicited enthusiastic cheers of 'Kyaaaaah!' from the spectators in the stands, leaving a strong impression on everyone present. The phrase quickly spread across social media, with numerous comments like 'The initial 'Very Very Horse' was hilarious' and 'I'm so jealous of those who heard 'Very Very Horse!' live.'

Originally used by Tosaki to praise a horse's excellent performance in a previous race, this phrase perfectly described Regaleira's triumph in the Elizabeth Queen Cup. Fans have commented, 'Regaleira has become even more 'Very Very Horse' now,' and 'For Tosaki-san, 'Very Very Horse' is almost like a catchphrase,' suggesting that the phrase is becoming established not just for a specific horse, but as a symbolic expression of strength for any outstanding racehorse ridden by Tosaki. Some opinions even suggest, 'It's strange if 'Very Very Horse' isn't nominated for the buzzword of the year award,' highlighting its widespread social phenomenon.

On the other hand, some concerns about the over-usage of the phrase have also emerged, with comments like 'I'm getting tired of 'Very Very Horse',' 'He's overusing it,' and 'Isn't he devaluing it?,' hinting at the fate of many buzzwords. Nevertheless, Tosaki's somewhat shy addition of the phrase at the end of his interviews has been widely perceived as 'cute' by many fans, further raising expectations for his 'legendary partnership' with Regaleira.

'Very Very Horse' will undoubtedly continue to be cherished by horse racing fans as a special catchphrase, sharing the magnificent performances of the horses and the passionate emotions of the jockey.

The Context

The Elizabeth Queen Cup (エリザベス女王杯) is a prestigious Grade 1 (G1) horse race held annually in Japan, specifically for fillies and mares three years old and older. It is run over 2,200 meters on turf at Kyoto Racecourse. G1 races represent the highest level of competition in Japanese horse racing, attracting top horses and jockeys. Keita Tosaki is one of Japan's leading jockeys, known for his skill and consistent performance. Regaleira is a highly regarded racehorse whose recent victory in this significant race, coupled with her jockey's memorable phrase, has captured national attention.