Admire Vega

Admire Vega: The Fragile Star Who Burned Bright and Faded Too Soon

Introduction

In the world of horse racing, few are born with such a pedigree of promise as Admire Vega. As the son of Sunday Silence and the great mare Vega, expectations followed him from birth. Though his career was brief, his triumph in the Japanese Derby and his lineage made a lasting impact. This is the story of a colt destined for greatness—one whose flame burned brightly, but all too briefly.

A Pedigree of Royalty

The Perfect Lineage

Admire Vega was born in 1996, a son of Sunday Silence—the dominant stallion of modern Japanese racing—and Vega, a Double Tiara winner who claimed both the Oka Sho and the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in 1993. Vega herself descended from top international bloodlines, being by Tony Bin and out of a mare by Northern Dancer.

This made Admire Vega’s pedigree a dream come true, uniting the strongest sires of both Japanese and global turf.

A Difficult Birth and Early Signs

Vega’s first foal, Admire Vega, was originally one of a pair of twins—an uncommon and usually unfavorable condition in horse breeding. One embryo was intentionally reduced, and Vega carried only Admire Vega to term.

He was born with slightly inward-bent forelegs, an inherited trait from his dam. However, his lighter frame spared him from the same physical strain that had plagued Vega.

Training and First Impressions

Yutaka Take’s First Encounter

Famed jockey Yutaka Take, who had ridden Vega during her racing days, visited the farm and met her young son. His first impression? “He looks like a dog or a deer.” Admire Vega was not considered attractive and was regarded as average at best.

But that changed with training. As he neared two years of age, riders began to praise him:

“Flexible, springy throughout the body. Riding him feels like driving a luxury car.”

Joining the Hashida Stable

Admire Vega entered Hashida Stable at two years and nine months of age—the same stable that had recently campaigned the ill-fated Silence Suzuka.

Though Admire Vega’s trackwork was unremarkable at first, trainer Mitsuru Hashida saw potential. He crafted a plan targeting the next year’s Classic races, with jockey Yutaka Take aboard.

The First Races and Early Success

A Tumultuous Debut

Admire Vega’s debut was on November 7, 1998—just a week after Silence Suzuka’s tragic death in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). The mood was somber, but Vega ran with promise.

He won the race by two and a half lengths, only to be demoted to fourth for obstructing another horse during a lane change. Still, his ability was clear.

Moving Up Quickly

He bounced back to win the Erika Sho, a one-win class race, and then took the Grade 3 Radio Tampa Cup by storm, overcoming a poor start and sweeping past his rivals on the final stretch. Within three starts, Admire Vega was a graded stakes winner and a serious contender for the Classics.

Spring Classics Campaign

A Minor Setback in Yayoi Sho

In March 1999, he ran in the Grade 2 Yayoi Sho. Though he suffered appetite loss during travel, he performed well, finishing second behind Narita Top Road and securing a spot in the Satsuki Sho.

Physical Trouble Before the Satsuki Sho

Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated again before the first leg of the Triple Crown. He lost weight and entered the race underprepared.

Despite being the favorite, Admire Vega struggled to find his rhythm and could only finish sixth. The race was won by the late-surging T.M. Opera O, with Narita Top Road third.

Victory in the Japanese Derby

The Big Day – June 6, 1999

Trainer Hashida focused on restoring Vega’s condition in the lead-up to the Derby. By race day, he had regained 10 kilograms and appeared healthy.

Admire Vega was the second favorite, behind Narita Top Road. The race unfolded perfectly—Vega stayed in the back, watched his rivals, and launched his final spurt down Tokyo’s 500-meter straight. He passed both Narita and T.M. Opera O, tying the record Derby time set by Ines Fujin in 1990.

It was also Yutaka Take’s second consecutive Derby win, a historic achievement.

Fall Preparation and the Kikka Sho

A Confident Comeback

After a short summer break, Admire Vega returned for the Kyoto Shimbun Hai, winning against Narita Top Road despite race traffic and a late spurt. This confirmed his status as a top contender for the Kikka Sho.

Meanwhile, T.M. Opera O ran third against older champions in the Kyoto Daishoten, boosting anticipation for a Classic showdown.

The Disappointing Final Race

In the Kikka Sho, the pace was slow—bad news for a closer like Admire Vega. He was also heavily marked by rivals. Unable to find a clear path, he launched a wide move but fell short.

Narita Top Road won, T.M. Opera O was second, and Admire Vega, again stuck behind traffic, finished sixth.

Retirement and Sudden Farewell

Admire Vega rested until the following summer, aiming to return for major autumn races. However, on July 31, 2000, he was diagnosed with ligamentitis and retired.

• Starts: 8
• Wins: 4
• Major Victory: Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) 1999

He entered stud the following year and covered 665 mares over four seasons.

Tragically, in October of his fourth year at stud, he died from a gastric rupture. He was only seven years old.

Legacy of a Short-Lived Star

Despite his early death, Admire Vega’s legacy lived on through his limited offspring:

• Kiss to Heaven: Winner of the Oka Sho in 2006, continuing the classic-winning legacy of her dam line from Vega.
• Blumenblatt: Winner of the 2008 Mile Championship.

Had Admire Vega lived longer, many believe he would have left an even greater mark as a stallion.

Conclusion

Admire Vega was a horse of immense promise—a rare combination of elite bloodlines, smooth athleticism, and a heart that never gave up. His career was short, but his Derby victory remains one of the most memorable in modern Japanese racing.

He is remembered not just for his talent, but for what could have been. His story is a testament to both the fragility and the brilliance of the Thoroughbred spirit.