Satsuki Sho Winner Sol Oriens Abruptly Retires, Announced to Become a Sire
Sol Oriens, the 2023 Satsuki Sho winner (4-year-old colt, trained by Takahisa Tezuka at Miho Training Center), has announced his retirement from racing and will begin his career as a sire at Breeders' Stallion Station in Hidaka Town, Hokkaido. His sudden retirement has elicited many expressions of regret from fans. Sol Oriens, by Kitasan Black out of a Motivator mare, had attracted attention for his talent since his debut. Particularly memorable was his stunning performance in the 2023 G1 Satsuki Sho. On a heavy track, he unleashed a powerful late surge from the far outside, sweeping past all his rivals to claim the G1 title, undefeated in his first three starts. His shocking victory, accompanied by jockey Takeshi Yokoyama's triumphant cry of "You're amazing! You really are!!", remains etched in the minds of many racing fans. Fans who witnessed the race live commented, "That Satsuki Sho was truly shocking," and "I'll never forget that powerful ...