Tokyo International News Agency

On May 4, the Nagoya Grand Prix (Jpn2), a prestigious graded exchange race, was held at Nagoya Racecourse. While the heavy favorite Outrange (ridden by Kohei Matsuyama), representing the JRA, secured the victory, the biggest buzz on social media was reserved for the runner-up: Odilon. A local horse from the Hyogo circuit ridden by Tomohiro Yoshimura, Odilon delivered a stunning performance to finish second by a mere neck. Defying his pre-race status as the fifth favorite, Odilon’s run drew an outpouring of praise across SNS platforms, with fans commenting, "Odilon is way too strong!" "We saw the pride of a local horse today," and "I never thought he’d push that close." Many fans lamented the narrow loss, noting his fighting spirit even after navigating deep sand during the race. Some even speculated that "if he hadn't been forced to the outside at the fourth corner, he would have overtaken the winner on the straight." Odilon’s strength in lon...

On March 11, at Funabashi Racecourse, Odilon (7-year-old male), belonging to Hyogo Prefecture, achieved a splendid victory in the JpnII 71st DioLite Memorial, a dirt grade race, overturning its 7th favorite status. Partnered with jockey Tomohiro Yoshimura, it outmaneuvered strong horses from the Japan Racing Association (JRA) to achieve its first-ever dirt grade race victory. Odilon, which raced from the middle of the pack, showcased a brilliant burst of speed in the final straight. It edged out the 3rd favorite Seraphic Call just before the finish line, with Seraphic Call finishing second and the 2nd favorite Kaz Tanjeur in third. This victory also marked a historic win for jockey Tomohiro Yoshimura, as it was a dirt grade triumph with a locally-affiliated horse. Odilon, a first-crop progeny of sire Kitasan Black, had been noted for its potential since its time with JRA, but its talent has truly blossomed since transferring to local racing. This victory follows its win in the Kochi Go...