Bubble Gum Fellow

The Unshakable Consistency of Bubble Gum Fellow: A Son of Sunday Silence

Introduction

In the 1990s, Japanese horse racing underwent a dramatic transformation thanks to one stallion: Sunday Silence. Among his many notable progeny, Bubble Gum Fellow stood out—not as a Triple Crown winner, but as a model of professionalism and quiet excellence. Despite setbacks, he claimed major victories and proved himself in an era filled with giants. This is the story of a horse who never wavered.

Pedigree and Early Expectations

Born of Royal Blood

Foaled in 1993, Bubble Gum Fellow was part of Sunday Silence's second crop. His dam, Bubble Company, had only one win in twelve starts across the U.S. and France, but she became an outstanding broodmare. She produced:

• Candy Stripes – a successful sire in Argentina
• Intimiste – a Grade 1 winner in France

Imported to Japan at age 14, Bubble Company delivered Bubble Gum Fellow during her second season in the country.

Early Promise

Even as a youngster, Bubble Gum Fellow displayed fluid movement and a calm temperament. As Sunday Silence’s first crop began dominating juvenile races, expectations for this colt grew significantly.

Early Training and Debut

The Fujisawa Approach

Under trainer Kazuo Fujisawa, known for his patient development philosophy, most horses debuted later. But Bubble Gum Fellow showed so much potential that he made his debut on October 7, 1995, at Tokyo Racecourse.

First Race

In his 1800-meter debut, he was the heavy favorite (1.3 odds) and ran from fifth position. Though he showed a strong final kick, a slow pace benefited front-runners, and he narrowly finished third.

Rising as a Juvenile

• Second Race: Led from the start and won effortlessly.
• Fuchu Stakes: Defeated race favorite Sakura Speed O with a one-length victory.

🏆 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1995)

Instead of the Hopeful Stakes, trainer Fujisawa opted to test his colt in the 1600m Grade 1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes.

Bubble Gum Fellow ran confidently in third or fourth, hugging the rail. As they turned into the stretch, Eishin Guymon broke away. But Bubble Gum Fellow responded. In a thrilling final 100 meters, the two raced neck and neck. With power and precision, Bubble Gum Fellow surged ahead to win by three-quarters of a length.

He had captured his first Grade 1 title and was now the top contender for the following year’s Classics.

Setback Before the Classics

Spring Stakes Victory

In the Grade 2 Spring Stakes, he came from near-last, bursting through the pack with such ease that jockey Okabe eased him before the finish. It was his fourth consecutive win.

Injury

One week before the Satsuki Sho, a fractured sesamoid bone was discovered in his right leg. With a six-month recovery period, both the Satsuki Sho and Japanese Derby were ruled out.

Return and Resilience

Comeback in the Mainichi Crown

After recovery, he returned in October’s Mainichi Crown (G2), finishing third—a solid effort against older horses.

🏆 Tenno Sho (Autumn) 1996

In one of the strongest fields of the decade, Bubble Gum Fellow faced:

• Sakura Laurel – recent Tenno Sho (Spring) winner
• Marvelous Sunday – six-race win streak
• Mayano Top Gun – winner of the Kikuka Sho, Arima Kinen, and Takarazuka Kinen

Trainer Fujisawa and regular jockey Okabe were away, so 3-year-old Bubble Gum Fellow was paired with young jockey Masayoshi Ebina.

He settled in third, tracked Mayano Top Gun, and held strong as others closed in. Down the final 200 meters, he pulled ahead in a fierce duel. Marvelous Sunday and Sakura Laurel charged from the rear, but Bubble Gum Fellow refused to be caught.

He crossed the line first. Ebina raised his hand—his first G1 victory—and Bubble Gum Fellow became the first 3-year-old to win the Tenno Sho (Autumn) under the new age system.

Later Career

1996 Japan Cup

Inexplicably, he finished 13th. Okabe later said the horse simply didn’t want to run that day. Planned overseas races were canceled.

1997 Season

• Naruo Kinen: Won under a 59kg handicap
• Takarazuka Kinen: Second in a three-way thriller
• Mainichi Crown: Won with a late charge
• Tenno Sho (Autumn): Second to Air Groove in a neck-and-neck battle
• Japan Cup: Third behind Pilsudski and Air Groove

He retired after this season, skipping the Arima Kinen.

Career Summary

• Starts: 13
• Wins: 7
• Grade 1 Victories: 2
• Only off the board once (1996 Japan Cup)

Legacy as a Stallion

Though not a top sire, he stood in Japan and New Zealand. His best-known progeny was Rockabubble, winner of the Breeders' Stakes. Through his dam line came:

• That's the Plenty – 2003 Kikuka Sho winner
• Deep Brillante – 2012 Japanese Derby winner

He passed away from pneumonia in 2010 at age 17.

Conclusion

Bubble Gum Fellow may not have captured a Triple Crown, but he exemplified quiet strength, consistency, and the ability to overcome adversity. In an era filled with legendary rivals, he held his own—and often beat them. His legacy remains, not in numbers alone, but in the memories he gave to racing fans across Japan.