Long-Distance King T O Royal Retires, Begins New Chapter as Stud
T O Royal, the renowned stayer who dominated the long-distance racing circuit and made a name for himself by winning the 2024 Tenno Sho (Spring), has announced his retirement from racing and will begin his new career as a stud at East Stud. Fans had eagerly awaited his return, and social media is now filled with a mix of voices expressing regret over his retirement, celebrating his past achievements, and anticipating his new life as a sire. T O Royal's performance in 2024 was particularly outstanding. He achieved an unprecedented three consecutive graded race victories over distances of 3000m or more, conquering the Diamond Stakes, Hanshin Daishoten, and the pinnacle of long-distance G1 races, the Tenno Sho (Spring). His overwhelming performance in long-distance races, which were often considered challenging statistically, showcased his exceptional ability as a pure stayer and left a lasting impression on many horse racing fans. Many comments recall the excitement of the time, such...