After a Stellar Horse Racing Career, Panthalassa Bids Farewell to His Track Days- Here’s a Recap of His Remarkable Achievements

A multitude of horse racing equines are bagging international credits nowadays, but only a few come out victorious. Among the stellar Thoroughbred racehorses who have made a mark in 2023, one Japanese star stole the limelight. Equinox, accredited as the highest-race horse in Japan, has recently bid goodbye to his equine career. Now living his best life as a stud, he may have encouraged his equine comrades to join the tribe, it seems.

Garnering sizeable fans, Panthalassa, a Japanese racehorse, has had the finest 2022 and 2023. But it looks like he’s ready to embark on a new journey. Named after the prehistoric super-ocean Panthalassa, the horse has lived up to its name on several occasions. Now, as he takes his next step forward, hundreds flock to have the last glimpse.

Panthalassa takes a leave from his horse racing career

World Horse Racing’s celebratory X post reads, “A final farewell to PANTHALASSA. @thesaudicup and @RacingDubai Turf winner goes to @arrowstud_staff for the next step of his career!” The Hidenori Kimura-bred seven-year-old is looking forward to a new life at Arrow Stud this term. Interestingly, he bowed out at the Nakayama racecourse, the same venue where Equinox blew his farewell kisses. Two of his notable career wins are at the 2022 Dubai Cup and the 2023 Saudi Cup. Owner Hiroo Race Co Ltd. acquired seven wins out of 27 starts from the former horse racing legend.

On his retirement, trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, “I didn’t think he would win two international Group 1s when he was younger as he was around at the same time as Contrail, who was a genius”. But Yahagi’s following statement was all the world has been waiting for. “In human terms, he was a hard-working horse, and I want his children to beat Equinox’s children” with special attention on the rivalry part. Peeking inside Panthalassa’s career, his marches always radiated strength.

Panthalassa’s illustrious career

Edging out rivals, the seven-year-old had won his first dirt G1 race, the 2023 Saudi Cup. After his phenomenal performance, though he was one of the attendees at the Dubai World Cup, an unfortunate mid-maneuver pushed him to 10th. But in 2022, when he entered the Nakayama Kinen to secure victory, he also handed over the first foreign G1 title to rider Yutaka Yoshida.

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Even in the Tenno Sho in October 2022, he won the podium silver with former rival Equinox on top. Jockey Yutaka Yoshida said on his retirement, “I’ve won the big races overseas with him, but what I remember most is the frustration I felt when we were second in the Tenno Sho [to Equinox]. I hope he enjoys his new life as a sire and I want to ride his offspring and win the big race some day”. In fact, we all are waiting for Panthalassa’s kids to land on the planet now.

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