Orfrevre, Gold Ship Compete in Arima Kinnen

[Man o Taz]

Orfevre is entering his last race before heading off to stud.

What a horse he is.

I had a soft spot for him when he was sent to run in the Arc and came up just short.

His connections had the courage to try again, and he came up short once more to another filly.

It was a shame, but he certainly has not hurt his legacy as one of the best runners ever from Asia.

I hope he goes out well in this race.

ORFEVRE A HIT WITH FANS
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/extra-zero-set-to-join-millionaires-club-superstar-japanese-galloper-ready-to-bid-farewell-to-racing/story-fnibcaa0-1226787731185

Japan's superstar galloper Orfevre will farewell racing in their biggest race, the Arima Kinen tomorrow at Nakayama.

The Arima Kinen is a unique race where the field is put together by the votes of the Japanese racing fans and Orfevre's popularity was underlined by him being the top vote-getter.

Orfevre has won the race before 2011 and takes on last year's winner Gold Ship.

Orfevre was Japan's seventh Triple Crown winner and also finished second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the last two years.

Here are the entries:
http://www.horseracingnation.com/race/2013_Arima_Kinen

Danon Ballade
Verde Green
Curren Mirotic
Win Variation
Desperado
Orfevre
Tamamo Best Play
Lovely Day
Lelouch
Amire Rakti
Love Is Boo Shet
TM Inazuma
To The Glory
Gold Ship
Nakayama Knight
Tosen Jordan

I'll be rooting for Orfevre and Tosen Jordan though I wouldn't mind if Gold Ship did it.

And what a play on words with Love Is Boo Shet...

[BaroqueAgain1]

 Orfevre absolutely dominated the Arima Kinen, leaving the field many lengths behind, and leaving racing on a high note.
  He had been positioned near the back of the field just behind Gold Ship but, as they entered the last turn, he took off, roaring around everyone and going to the lead as the field entered the stretch. And he just kept accelerating...won for fun, with Win Variation and Gold Ship in his golden wake.

[Man o Taz]

An incredible race.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvj1bB4ayT4

My wife (and the race caller - Murray Johnson I think) thought he moved too soon.

I kept saying over and over again - no he isn't - because the way he was moving in the final turn was reminiscent to me of Secretariat's performance in the Preakness Stakes where he went from last to first in several strides. The power that he was coming with - it would take an incredible effort for anyone to catch him.

For clarification purposes - I am not saying Orfevre is the second coming of Secretariat. Only that his sweeping move around the outside reminded me of it.

It was impressive and exactly the way the Japanese champion should go out - on top.

And then his retirement ceremony was amazing too - where 60,000 of the 124,000 fans stayed to see him paraded after racing that day.


Shadai Stallion Station has a real star coming to stay with them. If I am lucky I'll get to see him one day because that is where my favorite Eishin Flash is going - and I hope I can visit him one day.

[Man o Taz]

Orfevre mentioning Eishin Flash on his Facebook page...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orfevre/676116079088422

Hope they will be friends.