Tiger Tanaka (horse)

Last updated

Tiger Tanaka
Owner Scea Haras Du Ma and John Dwan.svg Owner Miguel Castro Megias.svg
Racing silks of Scea Haras Du Ma & John Dwan
Miguel Castro Megias
Sire Clodovil
Grandsire Danehill
DamMiss Phillyjinks
Damsire Zoffany
SexFilly
Foaled20 January 2018 [1]
CountryIreland
Colour Bay
BreederKellsgrange Stud
OwnerScea Haras Du Ma & John Dwan
Miguel Castro Megias
TrainerMarc Pimbonnet
Charley Rossi
Record10: 6-0-1
Earnings£186,221
Major wins
Prix Francois Boutin (2020)
Prix Marcel Boussac (2020)

Tiger Tanaka (foaled 20 January 2018) is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies in Europe in 2020 when she won six of her eight races including the Prix Francois Boutin and the Prix Marcel Boussac.

Contents

Background

Tiger Tanaka is a bay filly with a small white star bred in Ireland by Kellsgrange Stud. As a yearling in September 2019 she was consigned to the Tattersalls Ireland sale and was bought for €6,500 by Pascale Menard. [1] She entered the ownership of Scea Haras Du Ma & John Dwan and was sent into training with Marc Pimbonnet in France. She was named after a character from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice .

She was one of the best horses sired by Clodovil who won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains in 2003. [2] Tiger Tanaka's dam Miss Phillyjinks showed modest racing ability, winning one minor race from sixteen attempts. [3] She was a female-line descendant of the Park Hill Stakes winner Idle Waters, making her a close relative of Only For Life. [4]

Racing career

2020: two-year-old season

Tiger Tanaka began her racing career in a claiming race over 1200 metres on heavy ground on 4 June at Lyon Parilly racecourse. Ridden by Guillaume Mandel she started at odds of 10.4/1 and won by a length from Dia de Muertos. [5] After the race she was claimed by the trainer Charley Rossi on behalf of the owner. Miguel Castro Megias. In her seven subsequent races of 2020 she was ridden by Rossi's partner Jessica Marcialis. [6] Nine days after her win at Lyon, on her first appearance for her new connections, the filly started favourite for a claiming race over 1500 metres on the synthetic Polytrack surface at Marseille Pont-de-Vivaux racecourse and won by four lengths from Third Apple. [7] Two weeks later, over the same course and distance, she started odds on favourite for a similar event and won by five lengths. [8] On 8 July Tiger Tanaka returned to the turf for a claimer over 1600 metres at Marseille Borely and extended her winning run to four as she came home two and a half lengths clear of her rivals. [9]

The filly was then stepped up in class to contest the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin over 1200 metres at Chantilly Racecourse on 19 July and sustained her first defeat as she came home third behind the British-trained colts Ventura Tormenta and The Lir Jet. The Group 3 Prix Francois Boutin over 1400 metres on heavy ground at Deauville Racecourse on 16 August saw Tiger Tanaka go off the 1.7/1 joint favourite alongside Unveil in a five-runner field. After being settled in second place by Marcialis in the early stages she took the lead 400 metres from the finish and drew away in the closing stages to win by two lengths from La Gioiosa. [10] Marcialis commented "She did it so easily. I asked myself what was going on two out as there was no challenge. I decided then it was time to go and she quickened beautifully." [11]

On 4 October, Tiger Tanaka was elevated to the highest class for the Prix Marcel Boussac over 1600 metres at Longchamp Racecourse and started the 8/1 fifth choice in the betting for the Group 1 event. The Prix du Calvados winner Fev Rover went off favourite, while the other ten runners included King's Harlequin (Prix d'Aumale), Thunder Beauty (fifth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes), La Gioiosa and the Listed race winners Bonita Queen and Al Siq. She raced in mid-division as La Jonction set the early pace, before moving up to track the leaders 500 metres from the finish. She gained the advantage approaching the last 200 metres and stayed on well in the closing stages to win by three quarters of a length from Tasmania. [12] Marcialis became the first woman to ride a Group 1 race in France was accompanied by her young son as she received the trophy. She said "It's incredible. I don't have words... She was relaxed throughout the race. It's incredible because in all the races I've ridden her, every time she has been different. I've made history. I want to say to all the mums that we can do it. Be strong." [6]

For her final run of the season Tiger Tanaka was moved up again in distance for the 2000 metre Criterium de Saint-Cloud on 24 October and came home fourth behind the colts Gear Up, Botanik and Makaloun, beaten two lengths by the winner. [13]

In the official European classification for 2020 Tiger Tanaka was given a rating of 110, making her the seventh best two-year-old filly of the season. [14]

2021: three-year-old season

On 21 March Tiger Tanaka began her second campaign in the Listed Prix le Camargo over 1600 metres at Saint-Cloud when she started favourite but was beaten six lengths into second place by Sweet Lady. In the 1800 metre Prix Vanteaux at Longchamp three weeks later she came home sixth of the ten runners behind Rumi after struggling to obtain a clear run in the straight. [15]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Tiger Tanaka (IRE), bay mare, 2018 [1]
Sire
Clodovil (IRE)
2000
Danehill (USA)
1986
Danzig Northern Dancer
Pas de Nom
RazyanaHis Majesty
Spring Adieu
Clodora (FR)
1994
Linamix Mendez
Lunadix
Cloche d'OrGood Times
Chrysicabana
Dam
Miss Phillyjinks (IRE)
2013
Zoffany (IRE)
2008
Dansili (GB)Danehill (USA)
Hasili (IRE)
Tyranny (GB) Machiavellian (USA)
Dust Dancer
Smoken Rosa (USA)
12003
Smoke Glacken Two Punch
Majesty's Crown
Roses in the Snow (IRE) Be My Guest (USA)
Desert Bluebell (GB) (Family 14-c) [4]

Related Research Articles

Coronation was a French racehorse. In a racing career which lasted from the spring of 1948 until October 1950, she ran thirteen times and won six races. As a two-year-old she was one of the best fillies of her generation in Europe, winning the Queen Mary Stakes in England and the Prix Robert Papin in France. In the following year she dead-heated for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but was beaten in both the Oaks Stakes and the Irish Oaks. In October 1949 she established her reputation as one of the best fillies to race in Europe in the 20th century when she emphatically defeated a strong international field in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Her subsequent racing career was disappointing and she was a complete failure as a broodmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diminuendo (horse)</span> American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse

Diminuendo was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning two classic races, the Epsom Oaks and the Irish Oaks in 1988. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies of 1987, when she won all four of her races including the Cherry Hinton Stakes and Fillies' Mile. In 1988 she was beaten in her first two races, but won her next four, taking the Musidora Stakes, Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. She finished second when favourite for the St. Leger Stakes and ended her racing career by finishing unplaced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but was rated the best three-year-old filly of the season in Europe. She was then retired to stud, where she had some success as a broodmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miss France (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Miss France is an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In May 2014 she won the 1000 Guineas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Found (horse)</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Found is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Galileo out of the mare Red Evie, she represents the Coolmore Stud organisation and is trained by Aidan O'Brien. In 2014 she won a strong maiden race on her debut and then finished third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes before winning the Prix Marcel Boussac. She was rated the equal-best two-year-old filly to race in Europe in 2014.

Gold Splash was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies of her generation in France when she won the Prix Marcel Boussac on her third appearance. In the following season she finished third in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches before winning the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She raced in the United States as a four-year-old, winning the Osunitas Handicap before being retired. Gold Splash was not a success as a broodmare, producing only two minor winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ervedya</span> French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Ervedya is a French Thoroughbred racehorse best known for her performances over 1600 metres. She showed top-class form as a juvenile in 2014 when she won her first three races including the Prix de Cabourg before finishing third in the Prix Morny and second in the Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she won the Prix Imprudence and then recorded Group One wins in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Coronation Stakes. Later that season she added another major victory when she took the Prix du Moulin. In 2016 she failed to win but ran prominently in several major races.

Mail The Desert was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As two-year-old in 2002 she ran seven times in just over three months, winning the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland as well as finishing second in the Prestige Stakes. In the following year she failed to win in three starts but was placed third in the Coronation Stakes. As a broodmare she produced five winners before dying in 2015 at the age of fifteen.

La Lagune was a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She initially made an impression by winning the Prix de Condé in the autumn of 1965 and added to her reputation with an emphatic victory in the Prix Vanteaux in the following spring. She was then sent to England for the Epsom Oaks and justified her position as favourite, as she ran out a very easy five length winner. She was unable to win again but ran well in defeat against very strong opposition before being retired at the end of the season. She had little chance to prove herself as a broodmare as she produced only one foal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wuheida</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Wuheida is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a juvenile she made an immediate impact, winning the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on her second start and being rated the best filly of her generation trained in England. In the following year she missed the first half of the season through injury and then ran well in several major races before ending her season by winning the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. In 2018 she won the Dahlia Stakes on her only appearance before her racing career was ended by injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Illusion</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Wild Illusion is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She was the highest-rated horse of her age and sex trained in Britain in 2017 when she won two of her three races including the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas and second in the Epsom Oaks before winning the Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l'Opéra.

Confidential Lady is a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. As a juvenile in 2005 she showed high-class form, winning four of her seven races including the Star Stakes and the Prix du Calvados. In the following year she finished second in the 1000 Guineas before recording her biggest win in the Prix de Diane. She failed to win in four subsequent races although she ran second in the Premio Lydia Tesio and was not disgraced when finishing fifth in the Champion Stakes. She has had some success as a broodmare.

Zainta was an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning her only start as a juvenile she established herself as one of the best with five consecutive victories including the Prix Vanteaux, Prix Saint-Alary, Prix de Diane and Prix de la Nonette. She was beaten in her last two races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. She became a successful broodmare whose offspring excelled under National Hunt rules.

Sagawara is a British-bred French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She showed promise as a juvenile in 2011 when she won a minor event on the second of her two starts. In the following spring she ran second on her seasonal debut in the Prix Vanteaux and then recorded her biggest success when he won the Prix Saint-Alary. For the rest of the year she was matched against top-class opposition but failed to win in four races and was retired from the track at the end of the year.

Vazira is a British-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare whose brief racing career consisted of six starts between 31 March and 4 October 2014. After winning a minor event on her debut she took the Prix Vanteaux and was then awarded the Prix Saint-Alary on the disqualification of We Are. She failed to win in three subsequent starts and was retired from racing at the end of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Senga (horse)</span> American-bred racehorse

Senga was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 she showed promising form as she won her second of her three races and finished a close fourth in the Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she won the Prix de la Grotte on her seasonal debut and recovered from defeats in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Sandringham to record her biggest win in the Prix de Diane. She was beaten in her three subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year. She died in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alpine Star (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Alpine Star is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed very good form as a juvenile in 2019, winning two of her three races including the Debutante Stakes. On her first run of 2020 she won the Coronation Stakes.

Coeursamba is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed high-class form as a juvenile in 2020 when she won one race and was placed in both the Prix Six Perfections and the Prix d'Aumale. In the following spring she took the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Mangoustine is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2021 she was undefeated in three races including the Listed Criterum de Lyon and the Group 3 Prix Miesque. After sustaining her first defeat when running third on her three-year-old debut she returned to winning form to take the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Zellie, is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. She was one of the best juvenile fillies in Europe in 2021 when she won four of her six races including the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Rougir is a French-bred Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2020 she won three races including the Group 3 Prix des Reservoirs and also finished third in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac. In the following year she was beaten in her first six races before taking the Prix de l'Opera and at the end of the season she was sold for €3,000,000. She was then sent to race in the United States where she won the Beaugay Stakes and Grade I E. P. Taylor Stakes as a four-year-old.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Tiger Tanaka pedigree". Equineline.
  2. "Clodovil - Stud Record - Bloodstock Stallion Book". Racing Post.
  3. "Miss Phillyjinks – race record & form". Racing Post.
  4. 1 2 "Pretty Polly – Family 14-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  5. "Prix de Rouvres result". Racing Post. 4 June 2020.
  6. 1 2 Stevens, James (4 October 2020). "Tiger Tanaka Shines in Prix Marcel Boussac". The Blood-Horse .
  7. "Prix de Maliverny result". Racing Post. 13 June 2020.
  8. "Prix du Verdon result". Racing Post. 27 June 2020.
  9. "Prix Pierre Puget result". Racing Post. 8 July 2020.
  10. "Prix Francois Boutin result". Racing Post. 16 August 2020.
  11. "Clodovil's Tiger Tanaka Powers to Francois Boutin Triumph". Thoroughbred Daily News. 16 August 2020.
  12. "Prix Marcel Boussac result". Racing Post. 4 October 2020.
  13. "Criterium de Saint-Cloud result". Racing Post. 24 October 2020.
  14. "St Mark's Basilica leads Europe's colts as three fillies share top billing in two-year-old Classifications". The British Horseracing Authority.
  15. "Prix Vanteaux result". Racing Post. 11 April 2020.