Meisho Tabaru
Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse
Meisho Tabaru
メイショウタバル[1]
Meisho Tabaru at the 2024 Satsuki Shō
BreedThoroughbred[1]
SireGold Ship[1]
GrandsireStay Gold[1]
DamMeisho Tsubakuro[1]
DamsireFrench Deputy[1]
SexStallion[1]
Foaled (2021-04-20) April 20, 2021 (age 4)[1]
Urakawa, Hokkaido[1]
CountryJapan[1]
ColorBay[1]
BreederMishima Bokujo[1]
OwnerYoshio Matsumoto
TrainerMamoru Ishibashi[1]
Record13:5-0-0[1]
Earnings441,646,600 JPY
418,093,000 JPY (Japan)[1]
150,000 USD (UAE)[2]
Major wins
Takarazuka Kinen (2025)
Mainichi Hai (2024)
Kobe Shimbun Hai (2024)
Last updated on December 28, 2025

Meisho Tabaru (メイショウタバル; foaled April 20, 2021) is a Japanese thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2025 Takarazuka Kinen.[1]

Background

The horse's name is derived from the Tabaruzaka [ja] district in Kumamoto, as well as the Meisho eponym (kanmei, 冠名) of the owner.[3]

Racing career

2023: two-year old season

Meisho Tabaru ran his first race at Kyoto Racecourse where, ridden by Taiga Tsunoda [ja] he ran a 2,000 meter debut race for two year olds.[4] Meisho Tabaru would win his first race on his third race, when he won a 2,000 meter maiden race held at Hanshin Racecourse.

2024: three-year old season

Meisho Tabaru at the Kikuka Sho

Meisho Tabaru was to start the season with the Wakagoma Stakes [ja] on January 20 but was scratched at the last moment due to a lameness in the right forearm.[5][6] Meisho Tabaru was later sent to the Tsubaki Sho held on February 17 where he scored his second victory after taking the lead early on and holding on to it for the rest of the race.[6] The horse was initially planned to run the Spring Stakes after that, but instead entered in to the Mainichi Hai on March 23 after the horse had to briefly recuperate from a phlegmon on his left forearm.[5] In the Mainichi Hai the horse took the lead right from the start and was the frontrunner of the entire race, winning his first graded race victory with a 6 length lead.[5][7] Following this victory, it was announced that the horse's next race would be the Satsuki Shō.

At the Satsuki Shō, Meisho Tabaru ran very fast as the front runner, having covered the first 1,000 meters of the race in 57.5 seconds. While this led to the winner, Justin Milano, breaking the record of the race, Meisho Tabaru himself burnt through his stamina and lost momentum on the final stretch, finishing last.[8] He was also entered in to the Tōkyō Yūshun but was scratched on May 24 after it was discovered the horse suffered a stone bruise on his left hind.[9]

After taking the summer off, the horse was entered in to the Kobe Shimbun Hai held on September 22. After making a good start and taking the lead, the horse held on to the lead for the rest of the race, beating June Take [ja] by half a length despite the horse trying to catch up.[10][11]

On October 20, Meisho Tabaru was entered in to the Kikuka-shō, where he briefly took the lead at the first corner of the second lap, but as the leader of the pack kept changing rapidly the horse lost the will to continue racing, dropping out of the lead early on and finishing 16th and over 5 seconds behind the winner, Urban Chic.[12][13]

In spite of this defeat, it was announced that the horse was planned to race the Arima Kinen.[14] However, as the race drew near, the number of horses registered to run the race grew more than the maximum number of horses allowed to run the race, and was also short of prize money for that race, the horse was barred from entering the race, necessitating the horse's next race to be the following month's Nikkei Shinshun Hai.[15][16]

2025: four-year old season

Meisho Tabaru after winning the Takarazuka Kinen

The horse was entered in to the Nikkei Shinshun Hai as previously announced. The horse had been a front-runner since his Mainichi Hai, largely due to his temperament issues.[17] After taking the lead early on the horse sped up and covered the first 1,000 meters in 57.7 seconds. However, much like in the Satsuki Shō, the horse lost momentum and lost the lead at the final 400 meter mark. As a result, while the race finished with a relatively fast time of 2 minutes 9 seconds, he finished 11th, with a 2.1 second gap behind the winner Lord del Rey [ja].[18][19] Following the race, the horse was sent to pasture to recuperate, and it was announced that his next race would either be the Ōsaka Hai or the Dubai Turf.[20] On March 6, it was officially announced that the horse would be entered in to the Dubai Turf, with Yutaka Take as his new jockey.[21]

On April 5, the horse was ran the Dubai Turf.[22] In that race, while he did not have the best start, the horse managed to take the lead. The horse held on to the lead until the final stretch, before Romantic Warrior overtook him at the last 300 meter point and finished fifth.[23][24]

On June 15, after returning to Japan, the horse was entered in to the Takarazuka Kinen with Take once again riding the horse. After taking the lead at the start, the horse lead the pack, running the first 1,000 meters of the race in 59.1 seconds. At the fourth corner Bellagio Opera contested the lead, but once they entered the final stretch, Meisho Tabaru gained more distance against the rest of the pack, winning his first Grade I race with a three lengths lead. This marked a father-son victory for the horse, as his sire, Gold Ship, won the same race in 2013 and 2014. This also marked Yutaka Take's fifth victory for the race, the most wins by a jockey for this race, with his last being with Deep Impact in 2006. This was the first Grade I victory for trainer Mamoru Ishibashi [ja] also, and this race was the first time since Eishin Deputy [ja] in 2008 for a front-runner to win the Takarazuka Kinen.[25][26]

Following the victory at Takarazuka, the horse was sent out to pasture. It was later announced that Meisho Tabaru's next race will be the Autumn Tenno Sho where he would later finish by a nose at sixth.[27][28]

On December 28, Meisho Tabaru ran in the Arima Kinen with Take as his jockey. He overtook Mystery Way by the beginning of the backstretch but lost the lead at the end of the final corner. He lacked the stamina to stay in the front and ultimately finished thirteenth, one neck behind Elton Barrows.[29][30]

Racing form

The following racing form is based on information available on JBIS-Search, netkeiba.com, Racing Post, and the Emirates Racing Authority.[31][32][33][34]

Date Track Race Grade Distance

(Condition)

Entry HN Odds

(Favored)

Finish Time Margins Jockey Winner

(Runner-up)

2023 – two-year-old season
Oct 9 Kyoto 2yo Newcomer 2,000 m (Soft) 10 5 5.3 (3rd) 4th 2:05.9 0.4 Taiga Tsunoda Allnatt
Oct 28 Kyoto 2yo Maiden Race 1,800 m (Firm) 10 6 3.9 (2nd) 5th 1:48.3 0.4 Taiga Tsunoda Danon Decile
Dec 24 Hanshin 2yo Maiden Race 2,000 m (Firm) 14 7 3.3 (1st) 1st 2:00.6 -0.2 Suguru Hamanaka (Culminale)
2024 – three-year-old season
Jan 14 Kyoto Wakagoma Stakes L 2,000 m (Soft) 7 4 Scratched Suguru Hamanaka Sunrise Zipangu
Feb 17 Kyoto Tsubaki Sho ALW (1 win) 1,800 m (Firm) 9 5 6.1 (3rd) 1st 1:46.9 0.0 Suguru Hamanaka (Keep Calm)
Mar 23 Hanshin Mainichi Hai GIII 1,800 m (Soft) 10 4 9.4 (5th) 1st 1:46.0 -1.0 Ryusei Sakai (Noble Roger)
Apr 14 Nakayama Satsuki Sho GI 2,000 m (Firm) 17 2 7.0 (4th) 17th 1:59.3 2.2 Suguru Hamanaka Justin Milano
May 26 Tokyo Tokyo Yushun GI 2,400 m (Firm) 17 16 Scratched Suguru Hamanaka Danon Decile
Sept 22 Chukyo Kobe Shimbun Hai GII 2,200 m (Good) 14 15 5.4 (2nd) 1st 2:11.8 -0.1 Suguru Hamanaka (June Take)
Oct 20 Kyoto Kikuka-shō GI 3,000 m (Firm) 18 10 9.6 (5th) 16th 3:09.3 5.2 Suguru Hamanaka Urban Chic
2025 – four-year-old season
Jan 19 Chukyo Nikkei Shinshun Hai GII 2,200 m (Firm) 16 6 5.3 (2nd) 11th 2:11.9 2.1 Suguru Hamanaka Lord del Rey
Apr 5 Meydan Dubai Turf GI 1,800 m (Firm) 11 6 19.0 (5th) 5th 1:46.27 0.43 Yutaka Take Soul Rush
June 15 Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen GI 2,200 m (Good) 17 12 11.4 (7th) 1st 2:11.1 -0.5 Yutaka Take (Bellagio Opera)
Nov 2 Tokyo Tenno Sho (Fall) GI 2,000 m (Firm) 14 13 8.6 (5th) 6th 1:58.8 0.2 Yutaka Take Masquerade Ball
Dec 28 Nakayama Arima Kinen GI 2,500 m (Firm) 16 6 5.8 (4th) 13th 2:32.6 1.1 Yutaka Take Museum Mile

Legend: 

   Turf

Pedigree

Pedigree of Meisho Tabaru[35][36]
Sire
Gold Ship
gr. 2009 		Stay Gold
dk.b. 1994 		Sunday Silence Halo
Wishing Well
Golden Sash Dictus
Dyna Sash
Point Flag
gr. 1998 		Mejiro McQueen Mejiro Titan
Mejiro Aurola
Pastoralism Pluralisme
Tokuno Eighty
Dam
Meisho Tsubakuro
b. 2010 		French Deputy
ch. 1992 		Deputy Minister Vice Regent
Mint Copy
Mitterand Hold Your Peace
Laredo Lass
Dancing Hapiness
dk. b. 1999 		Dance in the Dark Sunday Silence
Dancing Key
Meisho Sachikaze Crystal Glitters
Seattle Dancer
  • Meisho Tabaru is inbred 3 x 4 to Sunday Silence, meaning that this stallion appears in both the third and fourth generations of his pedigree.
  • Meisho Tabaru's uncle is Meisho Kanpaku [ja], the winner of the 2012 Kyōto Daishōten.
  • Meisho Tabaru's dam, Meisho Tsubakuro, is the horse that Mamoru Ishibashi won his last win as a jockey.[37]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Meisho Tabaru(JPN)". JBIS-Search. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  2. ^ "2025ドバイ・ワールドカップ・デイ施行競走 登録要綱（簡易版）" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  3. ^ "メイショウタバル Meisho Tabaru（JPN）". Japan Racing Association. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  4. ^ "【京都5R新馬戦結果】ショウナンパンドラの弟オールナットが逃げ切りV！". netkeiba (in Japanese). 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  5. ^ a b c "【毎日杯】メイショウタバルが6馬身差で"圧逃"の3連勝 坂井瑠星騎手の馬場読みもズバリ「本当に強い内容」". UMATOKU (in Japanese). Hochi Shimbun. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  6. ^ a b "【つばき賞】メイショウタバルが前走除外から巻き返してＯＰ入り". サンスポZBAT! (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 2024-02-17. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  7. ^ "【毎日杯回顧】圧勝メイショウタバル「GⅠ獲り条件」をクリア 単なる道悪巧者ではない大物". SPAIA競馬 (in Japanese). 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  8. ^ "【皐月賞】大逃げでレコードを誘発メイショウタバルは17着に沈む 浜中「テンションが上がってしまった」". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  9. ^ "【日本ダービー】メイショウタバルが出走取消 左後挫石「申し訳ない気持ち」と石橋師". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  10. ^ "【神戸新聞杯】メイショウタバルが圧逃！浜中俊騎手「こういう形になればしぶとい」春2冠不完全燃焼からのリベンジ". UMATOKU (in Japanese). Hochi Shimbun. 2024-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  11. ^ "【神戸新聞杯】メイショウタバル 堂々の逃げ切りで重賞2勝目 浜中と息ピッタリ「馬とのコンタクトを大事に」". デイリースポーツ online (in Japanese). 2024-09-23. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  12. ^ "【菊花賞・人気馬の敗因】メイショウタバル16着に大敗 浜中俊「馬が嫌になってしまいました」". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2024-10-20. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  13. ^ "【浜中俊コラム】菊花賞メイショウタバル残念ながら16着 自分が思っていた競馬だったが大きな誤算が..." 中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. 2024-10-26. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  14. ^ "メイショウタバル、有馬記念視野 石橋師「オーナーと相談してみたけど...」". スポニチ競馬Web (in Japanese). 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  15. ^ "【有馬記念出走馬決定順】フルゲート16頭に対して22頭が登録 ハヤヤッコまで出走可能". netkeiba (in Japanese). 2024-12-09. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  16. ^ "メイショウタバル有馬記念除外なら日経新春杯へ 現在補欠3番手で石橋師「ギリギリまで粘る」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2024-12-12. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  17. ^ "【日経新春杯・特捜班のガチ】「歩き方からして変わってきたんだ」 メイショウタバルに表れた〝ユーチューブ効果〟". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2025-01-16. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  18. ^ "【日経新春杯】メイショウタバルは11着 浜中「コーナーに入ってからガッツリかかって...」". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  19. ^ "【日経新春杯】芝2200メートルで歴代最速！ メイショウタバルがマイル通過1分32秒4の超速ラップ". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2025-01-19. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  20. ^ "日経新春杯11着のメイショウタバルはドバイターフか大阪杯へ【次走報】". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2025-02-11. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  21. ^ "武豊がメイショウタバルとの新コンビで4・5ドバイターフ参戦【次走報】". 東スポ競馬 (in Japanese). 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  22. ^ "武豊騎手がドバイのメイダン競馬場に登場！ メイショウタバルで「一発を狙って乗る」". UMATOKU (in Japanese). Hochi Shimbun. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  23. ^ "【ドバイターフ】武豊メイショウタバル5着 石橋師「良く頑張ってくれました」". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). 2025-04-06. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  24. ^ "【ドバイターフ】武豊騎手騎乗のメイショウタバルは果敢に逃げて5着「勝った馬が強かったです」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2025-04-06. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  25. ^ "【宝塚記念】メイショウタバルが逃走V 武豊が今季初G1制覇でディープ以来19年ぶりの宝塚5度目制覇". スポニチ Sponichi Annex (in Japanese). 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  26. ^ "【宝塚記念・超速報】武豊騎手メイショウタバルがG1初制覇！「涙出そうになるくらいうれしい」". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  27. ^ "Meisho Tabaru(JPN)". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  28. ^ "末脚勝負を制した3歳馬マスカレードボールがGⅠ初制覇！". JRA.jp (in Japanese). 2025-11-02. Retrieved 2025-11-11.
  29. ^ "JRA Race Card & Results". jra.jp. Retrieved 2025-12-28.
  30. ^ JRA公式チャンネル (2025-12-27). 2025 ARIMA KINEN (The Grand Prix) (G1) | JRA Official. Retrieved 2025-12-28 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "Race Records | Meisho Tabaru(JPN)". JBIS-Search. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  32. ^ "Meisho Tabaru Race Record and Form". netkeiba. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  33. ^ "Meisho Tabaru | Race Record & Form". Racing Post. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  34. ^ "Emirates Racing Authority". Emirates Racing Authority. Archived from the original on 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  35. ^ "Five-generation Pedigree Table". JBIS-Search. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  36. ^ "PEDIGREE (5-GEN)". netkeiba.com. Retrieved 2025-09-07.
  37. ^ "石橋守の騎手成績". db.netkeiba.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-07.
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