.jpg?itok=WhOxvEHd&c=37b7addfaec335d14798d0124386f5e4 "Kazushi Kimura")
Mandarin Hero (JPN)
Dark Bay or Brown Colt / March 19th, 2020 in JPN / by Shanghai Bobby out of Namura Nadeshiko (JPN)
$181,128
2023 earnings
105
speed figure
0%
2023 wins
racing Record
2023 Stats
Career Stats
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0
Firsts
4
2
Seconds
2
0
Thirds
0
1
Unplaced
1
3
Starts
7
$181,128
Earnings
$386,854
$60,376
Earnings / Start
$55,265
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Bio
In keeping with the trend of recent international successes for Japan-based horses, Mandarin Hero tested the waters in the United States on the road to the Kentucky Derby by entering the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby and nearly ended up winning the race until settling for second by a nose. For his runner-up finish, Mandarin Hero earned 40 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, placing him on the bubble for a spot in the starting gate in the run for the roses on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.
In keeping with the trend of recent international successes for Japan-based horses, Mandarin Hero tested the waters in the United States on the road to the Kentucky Derby by entering the Grade 1 $750,000 Santa Anita Derby and nearly ended up winning the race until settling for second by a nose. For his runner-up finish, Mandarin Hero earned 40 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, placing him on the bubble for a spot in the starting gate in the run for the roses on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.
On May 4, the Shanghai Bobby colt drew into the Kentucky Derby off of the also-eligible list, with Kazushi Kimura, who rode him in the Santa Anita Derby, retaining the mount.
Mandarin Hero was a winner of his first four career outings in Japan, all at Ooi Racecourse, where he won his maiden, two allowance races, and one stakes race between June 8 and Nov. 16, 2022. He finished second by a neck in his final pre-Santa Anita Derby outing in the 1 1/8-mile $150,000 Kumotori Sho Stakes on Feb. 23, 2023.
