Retired Champion Al Ain Trends on Social Media After Kohei Matsuyama's Dramatic Japanese Derby Win

On May 31, 2026, the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1)—the ultimate festival of the Japanese horse racing calendar—was held at Tokyo Racecourse, where Robchen, ridden by jockey Kohei Matsuyama, claimed a brilliant victory. This marked Matsuyama's long-awaited first Derby title, prompting an outpouring of congratulations from racing fans across the country.

Yet behind this historic triumph, the name of a retired champion, "Al Ain," unexpectedly trended on social media, sparking massive buzz and nostalgia among fans.

The "I Raised Them" Meme: How Al Ain Shaped Two Star Jockeys

The main reason fans flooded social media with Al Ain's name lies in his deep connection to both Kohei Matsuyama and another top jockey, Yuichi Kitamura.

Matsuyama won his very first Classic G1 title in the 2017 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) aboard Al Ain. Though they were far from the favorites at the time, Matsuyama steadily built on that success to eventually become a Derby-winning jockey. Fans shared emotional tributes online, with comments such as, "It's already been nine years since that Satsuki Sho; I'm so deeply moved," and "I've been rooting for Matsuyama since his days with Al Ain, so I burst into tears when he crossed the finish line."

Meanwhile, jockey Yuichi Kitamura also secured his first career G1 victory aboard Al Ain in the 2019 Osaka Hai. Seeing both jockeys, who leaped into stardom thanks to the same horse, now competing at the very peak of the sport created a deeply emotional narrative for fans. Playful jokes took over social media, with fans writing, "Al Ain is probably standing in the back with his arms crossed, smugly saying 'I raised them,'" and "We owe it all to Big Brother Al Ain."

A Lasting Legacy: Offspring and Namesakes

The Al Ain-related excitement did not stop there. On the same day at Kyoto Racecourse, a horse with a remarkably similar name, "T O Al Ain," ran a strong race to finish third in the Shirayuri Stakes (L), causing quite a stir. Furthermore, one of Al Ain's actual offspring finished third in the recent Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks), proving his potential as a successful stallion.

With his former jockeys shining on the grandest stages and his lineage continuing to make waves on the track, Al Ain remains a beloved figure. Even in retirement, he continues to leave an indelible mark on Japanese racing history.

The context

The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is the most prestigious race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbreds, equivalent to the Epsom Derby or the Kentucky Derby. Winning it is the ultimate dream for every Japanese jockey. Kohei Matsuyama's victory with Robchen is a monumental milestone in his career.

The social media frenzy surrounding "Al Ain" references a popular Japanese internet meme: "Washi ga sodateta" (translated as "I raised them" or "I made them who they are"). Usually depicted as an older mentor standing in the background with arms crossed and a smug expression, fans humorously cast the retired horse Al Ain in this role. Since Al Ain provided the breakthrough G1 wins for both Matsuyama (2017 Satsuki Sho) and Yuichi Kitamura (2019 Osaka Hai), fans affectionately credit the horse for "mentoring" these now-legendary jockeys into champions.

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