ORFEVRE #オルフェーヴル | JAPAN'S TRIPLE CROWN HERO DENIED IN PARIS

Orfevre オルフェーヴル big race record:
1st Arima Kinen 2013, 2011
1st Takarazuka Kinen 2012
1st Kikuka Sho 2011 (Japanese St Leger)
1st Tokyo Yushun 2011 (Japanese Derby)
1st Satsuki Sho 2011 (Japanese 2000 Guineas)
2nd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2013 (Treve)
2nd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 2012 (Solemia)

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“I was almost certain we would be the first Arc winners for Japan, and I still have trouble understanding why it didn't happen.” Christophe Soumillon, Jockey

Orfevre, Japan horseracing's seventh Triple Crown winner and 2011 Horse of the Year, boasts a spot in the Japan Racing Association (JRA) Racing Hall of Fame.

The son of thoroughbred stallion Stay Gold, who retired at the close of 2013, was the 31st racehorse to be inducted.

Out of a mare named Oriental Art, Orfevre was campaigned by Sunday Racing Co. and trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, whose father was responsible for Deep Impact.

In his Classic year, at a time when Japan faced extreme tragedy through natural disasters, Orfevre would inspire great hope and relief.

Although not a precocious athlete, Orfevre posted 12 victories from 21 starts.

Among his wins were six Group 1 races, including the nation's Triple Crown comprising the Satsuki, the Tokyo Yushun and the Kikuka Sho.

As the crowd rejoiced in the glory of a horse with rare brilliance, jockey Kenichi Ikezoe stated “it's a major relief as so many people wanted this horse to win.”

Orfevre secured six further home victories, including two editions of the Arima Kinen and a Takarazuka Kinen.

In 2012 and 2013, he notched back-to-back second-place finishes in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, coming so close to claiming Europe’s middle-distance highlight.

He drew droves of Japanese racegoers to Paris in scenes reflective of 2006, when Deep Impact could finish only third - the weight of a nation's expectation on his back.

Orfevre offered his last hurrah dominating to take a second Arima Kinen title marking his sixth G1 win by eight lengths, the second longest margin in history.

After the last race, Orfevre's retirement ceremony was held. Over 60,000 race-goers assembling to pay tribute to the outstanding chestnut stallion who captivated a disaster-struck nation, bringing hope by his triumph of the Triple Crown.

Orfevre began stud duty in 2014 at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido.

His daughter Lucky Lilac already a dual Group 1 winner.

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