T.M. Opera O

T.M. Opera O – The Invincible Emperor of Japanese Racing

Introduction

In the rich history of Japanese horse racing, few names resonate with the same awe and reverence as T.M. Opera O. Known as the “Overlord of the Century’s End,” this remarkable Thoroughbred rose from an underestimated contender to an unstoppable champion. His unprecedented feats at the dawn of the new millennium not only secured his place in racing history but also captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

This is the story of a horse whose courage, consistency, and will to win transcended statistics—a career defined by thrilling victories, fierce rivalries, and an unbreakable bond with his jockey.

Early Life and Pedigree

Origins and Name

The name T.M. Opera O carries deep meaning:

• T.M. – The initials of his owner, Masatsugu Takezono.
• Opera – From his sire, Opera House, a distinguished stayer.
• O – Inspired by the Japanese word for “king” (Ō).

His dam, Once Wed, was sired by Blushing Groom and known for producing sprinters. To introduce stamina into the bloodline, she was bred to Opera House, renowned for his long-distance ability.

Auction and Early Impressions

When Masatsugu Takezono first saw the young colt, he was immediately smitten. Bound by the rules that Opera House’s progeny must be sold at public auction, he waited until the October 1997 sale. As soon as bidding opened, Takezono called out 10 million yen, facing no competition for the purchase.

Transferred to the Ritto Training Center under the care of trainer Iwamoto, Opera O impressed early. His pre-debut times were so exceptional that Iwamoto remarked he had never seen such speed from a stable horse.

Rising Through the Ranks

Debut and Early Setbacks

T.M. Opera O debuted on August 15, 1998, over 1600 meters on turf. Though the favorite, he finished second. A minor fracture was discovered post-race, forcing him to rest. Returning in January, he finished fourth, then quickly found form with back-to-back wins, including the Grade 3 Mainichi Hai by four lengths.

The Supplementary Nomination

Despite earning enough prize money for the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), he was initially unregistered due to earlier injury concerns. The team paid a 2 million yen supplementary nomination fee—made possible by a rule introduced due to the legendary Oguri Cap—to secure his place.

1999 – The Big Three Rivalry

Satsuki Sho – The Breakthrough

In the Satsuki Sho, Opera O was not the favorite. Yet in the final stretch, he unleashed a powerful late surge, storming past rivals to claim victory. The crowd gasped at the upset, and while some dismissed it as luck, the performance revealed his tenacity.

Japan Derby and Kikka Sho

In the Derby, Admire Vega took the win, with Narita Top Road second and Opera O third. In the Kikka Sho, he chased Narita Top Road home for second place. The Classics ended with each of the Big Three claiming one title, but Opera O had announced himself as a force.

2000 – The Perfect Season

The year 2000 became synonymous with T.M. Opera O. He ran eight times—and won them all, including five Grade 1 races, an achievement unmatched in Japanese racing.

Tenno Sho (Spring)

Facing old rivals Narita Top Road and Rascal Suzuka, Opera O sat mid-pack before accelerating around the third turn. His final 200 meters were run in 11.9 seconds, the fastest in the race’s history, surging past all challengers to claim an emphatic victory.

Takarazuka Kinen

In the mid-year Grand Prix, the field included Grass Wonder, who had beaten Opera O in the Arima Kinen. Grass Wonder faltered, and Opera O powered home to remain undefeated for the first half of the season.

Kyoto Daishoten and Tenno Sho (Autumn)

Returning from a break, he edged out Narita Top Road without needing the whip. In the Tenno Sho (Autumn), he defied a 12-year “favorite’s curse” by cruising past Meisho Doto for a commanding win—also marking jockey Ryuji Wada’s first Tokyo Racecourse victory.

Japan Cup – International Glory

The Japan Cup brought international challengers, including Fantastic Light. In the homestretch, Meisho Doto led briefly, but Opera O surged past. Fantastic Light closed fast, turning the finish into a three-way battle. Unfazed, Opera O held on. Dettori, aboard Fantastic Light, called him “crazy strong… world-class.”

Arima Kinen – The Defining Moment

Carrying a slight injury, Opera O entered as the favorite. Boxed in and stuck behind a slow pace, hope seemed lost. Then, in the narrowest gap, he burst through, locking horns with Meisho Doto. The two fought stride for stride—until Opera O thrust his head in front at the wire. Eight races, eight wins. The “Overlord of the Century’s End” was crowned.

2001 – The Final Campaign

Despite early-season setbacks, including a loss in the Osaka Hai, he roared back to win the Tenno Sho (Spring) for the third consecutive time. However, victories became elusive. Meisho Doto gained revenge in the Takarazuka Kinen. Attempts to claim a record eighth G1 win in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen fell short, with runner-up finishes and a final fifth place in the Arima Kinen.

Retirement and Legacy

• 26 starts
• 14 wins
• 7 Grade 1 victories
• Over 1.8 billion yen in earnings (6th all-time in Japan)

At stud, his success was limited, likely due to the European-oriented Sadler’s Wells bloodline. Nonetheless, his racing career remains legendary. He died in 2018 from a heart attack.

The Bond with Ryuji Wada

From 1999 to 2001, Wada and Opera O shared triumph after triumph. After Opera O’s retirement, Wada endured a 17-year G1 drought. In 2018, riding Mikki Rocket in the Takarazuka Kinen, he finally broke through, later saying it felt as if Opera O had been pushing him forward from above.

T.M. Opera O – The Invincible Emperor at the End of the Century

Conclusion

T.M. Opera O was more than a champion—he was a symbol of resilience, consistency, and courage. His perfect 2000 season remains one of the most extraordinary accomplishments in horse racing history. Even without that elusive eighth G1 win, his place among the greatest racehorses of all time is secure.