Kurifuji (also known as Toshifuji) was an undefeated Thoroughbred racemare, whose three classic wins included the Tokyo Yūshun race or Japanese Derby.

Kurifuji
SireTournesol (GB)
GrandsireGainsborough
DamKenfuji (JPN)
DamsireChapel Brampton (GB)
SexMare
Foaled10 March 1940
CountryJapan
ColourChestnut
BreederGoryō ranch Shimousa
OwnerKuribayashi Yuuzi
TrainerOgata landscape structure
Record11: 11 wins
Earnings44,200 yen
Major wins
1943 Tokyo Yūshun (Japanese Derby)
1943 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks)
1943 Kikuka Shō (Japanese St. Leger)
Honours
Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame inductee
Last updated on 12 October 2010

She was a chestnut mare that was bred at the Shimofusa Stud in Japan. Kurifuji was by the five times leading sire, Tournesol (GB), her dam Kenfuji was by the imported sire, Chapel Brampton (GB). She was a sister to three other horses including Happy Might who won the Tenno Sho, autumn race over 3,200 metres.[1]

Racing record edit

 
Jockey Maeda Chokichi and Kurifuji won the Tōkyō Yūshun (Japanese Derby), June 6th 1943

In 1943 Kurifuji was only the second filly to win the Japanese Derby after Hisatomo had done so in 1937. This race attracts top quality horses and many Japanese champions have won it including Deep Impact, Narita Brian, Shinzan and Symboli Rudolf.[2] Kurifuji also won the 1943 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and 1943 Kikuka Shō (Japanese St. Leger). Racing in Japan she had a total of 11 starts for 11 wins.

Breeding career edit

Known as Kurifuji during her racing career, she was then known as Toshifuji as a broodmare. Her progeny won 55 races and included:

  • 1946 colt, Tohanofuji, by Shian Mor, won 15 races
  • 1949 colt, Theft Y by Theft (IRE), won 8 races
  • 1950 filly, Ichijo by Theft (IRE), won 7 races
  • 1951 filly, Yamaichi by Toshishiro, won 5 races including the Yushun Himba and Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) etc.
  • 1953 colt, Homaremon by Greylord won 5 races
  • 1954 colt, Fuji-O by Greylord won 6 races
  • 1958 filly, Mejirofuji by Greylord, won 2 races
  • 1961 colt, Sugaya Homare by Turks Reliance, won 7 races.[3]

Kurifuji or Toshifuji as she was then known as, died in 1964.[3]

In 1984 Kurifuji was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame.

Pedigree edit

Pedigree of Kurifuji (JPN), chestnut mare, 1940
Sire
Tournesol (GB)
Bay 1922
Gainsborough
Bay 1915
Bayardo Bay Ronald
Galicia
Rosedrop St. Frusquin
Rosaline
Soliste (FR)
1910
Prince William (GB) Bill of Portland
La Vierge
Sees (FR) Chesterfield
La Goulue
Dam
Kenfuji (JPN)
Chestnut 1926
Chapel Brampton (GB)
Chestnut 1912
Beppo Marco
Pitti
Mesquite Sainfoin
St. Silave
Tanemitsu (JPN)
Chestnut 1919
Rushcutter Persimmon
Curbstone
Dai 2 Astonishment (JPN) Intagurio (GB)
Astonishment (GB) ( Family: 7-c)

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Morris, Simon; Tesio Power 2000 - Stallions of the World, Syntax Software
  2. ^ ASB: Toshifuji (JPN) Retrieved 2010-10-24
  3. ^ a b Ahnert, Rainer L. (editor in chief), Thoroughbred Breeding of the World, Pozdun Publishing, Germany, 1970