After Special Horse Racing Retirement Ceremony, World’s no.1 Stallion Arrives at New Home

Among the several Thoroughbred racehorses who stir the equestrian world, only some of them reach the apex. Crowned as the highest-rated racehorse in Japan’s horse racing history, Equinox has now retired. But his exit and glamorous send-off didn’t mark the end of his equine career. In fact, he has now graced the grounds of his next stable destination.

Equinox has embarked on his stud journey and his fanbase can’t keep calm. In fact, in another news that surfaced, the equine is also awaiting his mating with the legendary Almond Eye. While Equinox-verse is waiting for “a date between the two” eagerly, the celebrated stable welcomed him, as promised by the ownership group.

Horse racing legend steps into his new home

According to World Horse Racing’s X post, Equinox has made his entry at his new abode, Shadai Stallion Station. The post caption reads, “HOME, SWEET HOME! EQUINOX arrived at his new home at Shadai Stallion Station a couple of hours ago.” The pictures taken by the stable photographers, captured the star in all his glory. Standing against a beautiful farm scenery, the 4-year-old’s poise in dark brown velvet skin looked majestic.

As per Japan’s history, the JRA Handicap had rated him with the highest ever point, 133. With six straight Group 1 victories, the son of 7X G1 race winner Kitasan Black has equaled himself to Frankel, owing to his last Group 1 victories. To this, jockey Shane Dye had said, “In my generation, you’ve naturally got Frankel, Flightline and Equinox – they are the three that stand out for me.” But the third standout horse’s most notable was the one race which jockey Christophe Lemarie had called “perfection”.

Equinox’s Japan Cup mark lead to a grand ceremony

In just 2 minutes and 21.8 seconds, jockey Lemarie covered the 2400m at the Tokyo racecourse, aboard the 4-year-old Equinox. After the  ¥500 million win, the jockey had said,

“The horse is just too fast on the straight.” Liberty Island settled for second as Equinox clinched the 43rd Japan Cup race in November. On third, Stars on Earth a length behind the silver finisher.READ MORE: After a Stunning Finish in Japan Cup Panthalassa Bows Out, Take a Look at the Icon’s Stellar Career

Soon after this win, on December 16, “

Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera” serenaded thousands who gathered for Equinox’s retirement ceremony. As the second most expensive behind Kitasan Black, the new stud is stepping foot with ¥20 million as the starting fee. Now, as Equinox has started his stud days at Shadai Stallion Station, the enthusiasts anticipate a pathbreaking 2024 season.Watch this story: Best Dressage Horse Whose Movements Could Even Compete With Ballerina’s Elegant Moves