Mejiro Palmer

Mejiro Palmer
メジロパーマー
Mejiro Palmer, in 2002
SireMejiro Eagle[1]
GrandsireMejiro Samman[1]
DamMejiro Fantasy[1]
DamsireGay Mecene[1]
SexStallion[1]
Foaled(1987-03-21)March 21, 1987[2][3]
DiedApril 7, 2012(2012-04-07) (aged 25)[4]
CountryJapan[1]
ColourBay[1]
BreederMejiro Stud[1]
OwnerMejiro Shouji Co Ltd
TrainerMasaaki Okubo
JockeyTaisei Yamada
Record38: 9-5-2[5]
Earnings536,742,200 yen[1]
Major wins
Sapporo Kinen (1991)
Niigata Daishoten (1992)
Takarazuka Kinen (1992)
Arima Kinen (1992)
Hanshin Daishoten (1993)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse (1992)
JRA Award for Best Home-Bred Sire (1992)
Last updated on 1 February 2026

Mejiro Palmer (Japanese: メジロパーマー, Hepburn: Mejiro Pāmā; March 21, 1987 – April 7, 2012) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was known as the fifth horse in history to win both grand prix races, the Takarazuka Kinen and Arima Kinen in the same season (1992).[6] He was also known as the first Japanese horse to win a G1 race after switching back from steeplechase race to flat race.[7] Together alongside Mejiro Ryan and Mejiro McQueen who were born in 1987 (Showa 62), they were known as the flower class of 62 (花の62年組).[8]

Background

Mejiro Palmer was foaled out of Mejiro Fantasy who won one races out of four starts. Mejiro Fantasy's dam, Princess Lyphard was full sister to the sire Mogami, so she was expected to have good bloodlines.[9] His sire, Mejiro Eagle won seven races in 19 starts in which his major win came in the 1978 Kyoto Shimbun Hai. He also finished in third place behind Inter Gushiken in 1978 Kikuka Sho.[10] All of Mejiro Eagles' victory came in his trademark runaway front-running style, which being passed on into Mejiro Palmer himself.[9]

His name came from the crown name of Mejiro Stud - Mejiro and Arnold Palmer, an American golfer.[11]

Racing career

Early seasons (1989 – 1991)

He made his debut on August 12, 1989, in Hakodate Racecourse. He finished the race at second place six lengths behind the winner, Zogebune Megami.[12][13] He then placed second place again for his second start before winning his third maiden race.[14] He maintained his winning streak at the Cosmos Sho before losing in the next two races. Unfortunately, he suffered a fracture in his left hind leg after the latter races and was placed on a long break of more than six months.[14] When he made a comeback in the next season, he was placed in a semi-open class due to lack of prize money won.[15] Since returning in June 1990, he would had a losing streak of 11 straight races up for a year.[14] During that time, he raced in two graded races which were the Hakodate Kinen in which he finished seventh and the 1991 Tenno Sho (Spring) where he finished down in thirteenth-place.[16][17]

Mejiro Palmer's performance became better as he snatched a win in the Tokachidake Tokubetsu in June 22.[12] Riding this momentum, he entered the Sapporo Kinen (GIII), favored as the fourth favorite by his light 51 kg handicap. Despite getting a slow start, he took the lead in the second corner and led the pack alone.[14] He then held off G1 regulars such as Mogami Champion and Kamino Cresse who were chasing him hard in the straight to finish the race first. This marked his first graded race victory in the summer of his fifth year.[14][18] Then, he returned to slump again as he was failing to run well in the next three races including a last place finish in the Kyoto Daishoten.[5] This streak prompting the trainers to switch him into the steeplechase race. He passed the test in a record time for the switching program.[19] This switch was working as he won his maiden steeplechase race and placed second on the next one. When the second race concluded, Okubo who was his trainer felt in doubt that his jumping was too low from the hurdles.[14] This suspicion was right as his legs were swollen and there were abrasions all over the place despite the good result.[20][21] Okubo then cancelled the plan for Mejiro Palmer to became a steeplechase horserace and re-adjusted him to the flat races after a period of rest.[22]

Five-year-old season (1992)

He started the season in the Coral Stakes on March 29 where he ended up in fourth place. For the next race, Mejiro Palmer was first time being paired with his main jockey, Taisei Yamada who was a budding 21-years-old young man at that time.[14] In the Tenno Sho (Spring), Mejiro Palmer did his trademark runaway but gassed near the end and finished in seventh-place behind Mejiro McQueen.[23][5] On May 17, he ran in the Niigata Daishoten. He took the lead from the start, held off the pack, stretched his legs in the straight and won by four lengths to claim his second graded race win. Okubo who was flattered by this win registered him for the Takarazuka Kinen as his win in the Niigata Daishoten earned him the recommended slot despite not qualified by the voting.[24][19]

The 1992 Takarazuka Kinen was supposed to be the battleground between Tokai Teio and Mejiro McQueen but both were dismissed due to injuries. The entries for this Takarazuka Kinen was thin as there were only 2 G1 winners present which were Daiyusaku (1991 Arima Kinen winner) and Daitaku Helios (1991 Mile Championship winner).[25] Majiro Palmer sat at ninth favourite whilst the major favourite for the race was Kamino Cresse.[26] When the gates opened, Mejiro Palmer started from gate 12 which was the second outermost gate, took the lead and held off Daitaku Helios who was trying to take the lead from the inside. Daitaku Helios did not push too hard on that and Mejiro Palmer was able to break away alone. Daitaku Helios and Kamino Cresse tried to catch Mejiro Palmer at the second half of the race but cannot surpass him. Instead, Mr. Spain overtook the gassed Daitaku Helios on the final phase for the podium and albeit Mejiro Palmer lost the pace at the end straight, he held on to win his first G1 race by three lengths over Kamino Cresse.[26][6] His jockey, Yamada quoted after the race that the horse already losing momentum at the third corner and declining after the fourth but he never looked back and kept on going for the win.[11]

He was rested at the Mejiro Stud the whole summer and started his autumn campaign in the Kyoto Daishoten. Yamada was injured from falling the previous day of the race but he opted in for the race.[27] As usual, Mejiro Palmer surged early for the lead but sooner get caught on the final corner and finished in ninth.[28] The next race would be the Autumn Tenno Sho but without his normal jockey as he was not fully healed, which he was replaced by Shinji Fujita.[6] In this race, he was in a battle with Daitaku Helios from the start. Although he ran the first 1000 meters at a high pace of 57.5 seconds, he lost momentum in the straight and fell back to 17th place.[29] Okubo skipped the Japan Cup due to poor performances in the previous two races and opted for the Arima Kinen instead.[29] In the voting list, Mejiro Palmer was not qualified for the race but as he was the reigning Takarazuka Kinen winner, he was being recommended and accepted to join the race.[30] Yamada would came back for the reins on the race day.[31]

Unlike back in Takarazuka Kinen, the field for the 1992 Arima Kinen was full of great horses. With the likes of Tokai Teio, Rice Shower, Nice Nature, Hishi Masaru, Legacy World, White Stone, Leo Durban, Let's Go Tarquin and Daitaku Helios joining in, Mejiro Palmer only managed to be the 15th favourite to win the race at 49.4 odds.[31] This field did not fazed Yamada and Mejiro Palmer as they boldly took the lead, while Daitaku Helios, seemingly overwhelmed by his momentum was held back by his jockey and dropped to second place.[6] These two horses would held on to the lead that went on up to 15 lengths over the other competitors.[6] At the final corner, Mejiro Palmer managed to overtook the gassed out Daitaku Helios for the lead and ran as fast as he could to the line as he also losing pace. Legacy World surged from the back pack and almost caught Mejiro Palmer on the line as the later manage to held on by a nose margin.[30][31] With this win, Mejiro Palmer snatched both grand prix races and became the fifth horse since Inari One back in 1989 season to accomplish it.[6] Yamada reminisced after the win, "Even when Daitaku Helios came at me on the home stretch, I was able to release the bit myself and maintain the horse's pace without getting caught. Palmer held on well until the end. He really did his best."[30]

Mejiro Palmer won three races out of seven starts in 1992. He was awarded with the JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse and for best home-bred sire. He was also the runner-up to Mihono Bourbon on the Japanese Horse of the Year award.[30]

Later seasons (1993 – 1994)

In the beginning of new season, Mejiro Palmer ran in the Hanshin Daishoten. When the race started, He asserted his lead and made a solo breakaway. The horses behind him closed in on him in the third corner of the second lap. In the straight, he was locked in a close race with Takeno Velvet, Nice Nature, and others. Yamada waited for the horses behind to close in before ordering Mejiro Palmer to make a sprint. He overtook Takeno Velvet and Nice Nature and crossed the finish line by half a length.[32] This win would eventually turned out to be the last win of his career.[12]

In the upcoming Spring Tenno Sho, Mejiro Palmer ran away at the start like usual. In the third corner of the second lap, Rice Shower and Mejiro McQueen came alongside him on the uphill slope, but he was overtaken in the straight, but he continued to hang on. Both of the horses battling it out to the line while Mejiro Palmer finished in third behind those two.[33] For the rest of the year, he competed in five graded races and finished outside of podiums in all of them.[19] He shown signs of recovery in the beginning of 1994 season when he placed second in the Nikkei Shinshun Hai, two lengths behind Monsieur Siecle.[34] However, he was diagnosed with flexor tendonitis in his left foreleg injury after the race. This injury eventually led to his retirement due to his age.[6] He was retired and deregistered from racing on September 22, 1994.[35]

Racing form

Mejiro Palmer won nine races out of 38 starts (36 flats, 2 steeplechase). This data is available in JBIS and netkeiba.[12][5]

Date Track Name Grade Distance
(Condition) 		Field Finished Time Jockey Winner (2nd Place)
1989 – two-year-old season
Aug 12, 1989 Hakodate 2YO debut 1000m (Firm) 7 2nd 1:00.1 Masato Shibata Zogebune Megami
Aug 26, 1989 Hakodate 2YO debut 1000m (Firm) 7 2nd 0:59.2 Masato Shibata Golden Stella
Sep 9, 1989 Hakodate 2YO maiden 1200m (Soft) 9 1st 1:13.6 Hiroshi Tamogi (Pot Mitsuru Boy)
Sep 23, 1989 Hakodate Cosmos Sho OP 1700m (Soft) 7 1st 1:47.7 Hiroshi Tamogi (King of Track)
Oct 14, 1989 Kyoto Hagi Stakes OP 1200m (Firm) 9 9th 1:11.9 Yoshiyuki Muramoto Heisei Tomi O
Nov 25, 1989 Kyoto Kyoto Sansai Stakes OP 1600m (Firm) 10 8th 1:38.2 Yoshiyasu Tajima Nichido Thunder
1990 – three-year-old season
Jun 17, 1990 Sapporo Elm Stakes 1800m (Firm) 6 5th 1:51.7 Hiroshi Kawachi Uto Time
Jul 8, 1990 Sapporo Hochi Hai Daisetsu Handicap 1700m (Fast) 6 6th 1:45.1 Mikio Matsunaga Shin Noble
Jul 22, 1990 Sapporo Doshin Hai OP 1800m (Firm) 11 5th 1:49.9 Mikio Matsunaga Uto Time
Aug 5, 1990 Hakodate Tomoe Sho OP 1800m (Firm) 9 8th 1:48.0 Mikio Matsunaga Lucky Guerlain
Aug 19, 1990 Hakodate Hakodate Kinen G3 2000m (Firm) 15 7th 2:00.4 Mikio Matsunaga Lucky Guerlain
1991 – four-year-old season
Mar 2, 1991 Chukyo Suzuka Stakes 1200m (Firm) 16 12th 1:10.8 Yoshiyuki Muramoto Golden Rikka
Mar 24, 1991 Kyoto Ohara Stakes 2400m (Good) 14 3rd 2:26.5 Koichi Tsunoda Tai Eagle
Apr 6, 1991 Kyoto Osaka Jo Stakes OP 2400m (Firm) 12 4th 2:27.2 Yoshiyuki Muramoto Erimo Passer
Apr 28, 1991 Kyoto Tenno Sho (Spring) G1 3200m (Firm) 18 13th 3:21.6 Yoshiyuki Muramoto Mejiro McQueen
Jun 8, 1991 Sapporo Niseko Tokubetsu ALW (1W) 1800m (Firm) 14 2nd 1:48.7 Mikio Matsunaga Super Shinzan
Jun 22, 1991 Sapporo Tokachidake Tokubetsu ALW (1W) 1800m (Firm) 6 1st 1:48.8 Mikio Matsunaga (Largest)
Jun 30, 1991 Sapporo Sapporo Kinen G3 2000m (Firm) 16 1st 2:00.9 Mikio Matsunaga (Mogami Champion)
Aug 4, 1991 Hakodate Tomoe Sho OP 1800m (Heavy) 14 6th 1:51.7 Mikio Matsunaga Tsurumai Nus
Aug 18, 1991 Hakodate Hakodate Kinen G3 2000m (Firm) 14 5th 1:59.8 Mikio Matsunaga Mejiro Marsyas
Oct 6, 1991 Kyoto Kyoto Daishoten G2 2400m (Firm) 7 7th 2:29.7 Koichi Tsunoda Mejiro McQueen
Nov 2, 1991 Kyoto 3YO+ debut jump 3000m (Fast) 9 1st 3:24.5 Toshiro Oshida (Calstone Parthia)
Dec 1, 1991 Hanshin 3YO+ maiden jump 3150m (Fast) 11 2nd 3:32.5 Toshiro Oshida Ein Kaiser
1992 – five-year-old season
Mar 29, 1992 Hanshin Coral Stakes OP 1400m (Soft) 13 4th 1:24.8 Takayuki Yasuda Bamboo Passion
Apr 26, 1992 Kyoto Tenno Sho (Spring) G1 3200m (Firm) 14 7th 3:22.9 Taisei Yamada Mejiro McQueen
May 17, 1992 Niigata Niigata Daishoten G3 2200m (Firm) 13 1st 2:13.4 Taisei Yamada (Tanino Borero)
Jun 14, 1992 Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen G1 2200m (Firm) 13 1st 2:18.6 Taisei Yamada (Kamino Cresse)
Oct 11, 1992 Kyoto Kyoto Daishoten G2 2400m (Firm) 14 9th 2:26.1 Taisei Yamada Osumi Roch
Nov 1, 1992 Tokyo Tenno Sho (Autumn) G1 2000m (Firm) 18 17th 2:00.4 Shinji Fujita Let's Go Tarquin
Dec 27, 1992 Nakayama Arima Kinen G1 2500m (Firm) 16 1st 2:33.5 Taisei Yamada (Legacy World)
1993 – six-year-old season
Mar 14, 1993 Hanshin Hanshin Daishoten G2 3000m (Firm) 11 1st R3:09.2 Taisei Yamada (Takeno Velvet)
Apr 25, 1993 Kyoto Tenno Sho (Spring) G1 3200m (Firm) 15 3rd 3:17.6 Taisei Yamada Rice Shower
Jun 13, 1993 Hanshin Takarazuka Kinen G1 2200m (Firm) 11 10th 2:21.5 Taisei Yamada Mejiro McQueen
Oct 10, 1993 Kyoto Kyoto Daishoten G2 2400m (Firm) 10 9th 2:25.7 Taisei Yamada Mejiro McQueen
Oct 30, 1993 Kyoto Swan Stakes G2 1400m (Soft) 16 11th 1:22.7 Taisei Yamada Shinko Lovely
Nov 28, 1993 Tokyo Japan Cup G1 2400m (Firm) 16 10th 2:25.4 Taisei Yamada Legacy World
Dec 26, 1993 Nakayama Arima Kinen G1 2500m (Firm) 14 6th 2:31.9 Norihiro Yokoyama Tokai Teio
1994 – seven-year-old season
Jan 23, 1994 Hanshin Nikkei Shinshun Hai G2 2500m (Firm) 16 2nd 2:35.8 Taisei Yamada Monsieur Siecle

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt   Steeplechase

  • R indicated that it was a record time finish

Stud record and death

Mejiro Palmer started his stud duty at Arrow Stud in Hokkaido.[36] He retired as a stud in 2002 and moved back to the Mejiro Farm (later changed the name to Lake Villa Farm in 2011).[4][36] Overall he managed to breed with 102 mares and produced 62 foals from 1995 until 2002.[37] His best progeny was Mejiro Raiden who won the JG2 race, Kyoto High Jump.[38]

On April 7, 2012, Mejiro Palmer died due to sudden heart attack.[4]

An anthropomorphized version of Mejiro Palmer appears in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, voiced by Yuri Noguchi.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Mejiro Palmer[2][3]
Sire
Mejiro Eagle 		Mejiro Samman Charlottesville Prince Chevalier
Noorani
Paradisea Aureole
Chenille
Amazon Warrior Khaled Hyperion
Eclair
War Betsy War Relic
Betsy Ross
Dam
Mejiro Fantasy 		Gay Mecene Vaguely Noble Vienna
Noble Lassie
Gay Missile Sir Gaylord
Missy Baba
Princess Lyphard Lyphard Northern Dancer
Goofed
No Luck Lucky Debonair
No Teasing (Family 1-x)[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mejiro Palmer(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Archived from the original on 5 January 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Free 5X Pedigrees for Thoroughbreds =Mejiro Palmer (JPN)". www.equineline.com. The Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  3. ^ a b c "Mejiro Palmer Pedigree | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "競馬のメジロパーマー死ぬ／９２年宝塚、有馬記念制覇" [Horse racing legend Mejiro Palmer dies / 1992 Takarazuka and Arima Kinen winner]. 四国新聞社 (in Japanese). Shikoku Newspaper. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d "Mejiro Palmer Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Miyoshi, Tatsuhiko (16 July 2024). "【名馬列伝】波乱を呼び起こす個性派メジロパーマー。紆余曲折の競走馬生活だからこそ生まれた魅惑の逃走劇＜後編＞" [[Legends of a Great Horse] Mejiro Palmer, the unique horse that stirs up trouble. A fascinating escape drama born out of the twists and turns of a racing horse's life. (Part 2)]. THE DIGEST (in Japanese). Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  7. ^ "メジロパーマー" [Mejiro Palmer]. LAKE VILLA FARM (in Japanese). 18 October 2019. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  8. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). October 2004. p. 18.
  9. ^ a b "メジロパーマー | アイケー血統研究所" [Mejiro Palmer | IK Bloodline Research Institute]. www.ik-x.com (in Japanese). IK Pedigree Research Institute. Archived from the original on 14 November 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  10. ^ "メジロパーマー | 馬・牧場・施設検索 | 競走馬のふるさと案内所" [Mejiro Palmer | Horse, Stud Farm & Facility Search | Racehorse Heritage Centre]. uma-furusato.com (in Japanese). JBBA. Archived from the original on 23 June 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  11. ^ a b Yushun (in Japanese). August 1992. pp. 140–143.
  12. ^ a b c d "Race Records | Mejiro Palmer(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  13. ^ "2yo Debut Full Result | R2". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 12 August 1989. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Miyoshi, Tatsuhiko (15 July 2024). "【名馬列伝】ライアン、マックイーンの同牧場同期に劣らぬ個性派メジロパーマー。障害入り試みるも、訪れた"相思相愛"ジョッキーと運命の出会い＜前編＞" [[Legends of the Great Horse] Mejiro Palmer, a unique horse who is no less impressive than Ryan and McQueen's fellow ranchmates. He attempts to enter the hurdles, but meets a jockey with whom he has a mutual love. (Part 1)]. THE DIGEST (in Japanese). Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  15. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). April 2006. pp. 49–54.
  16. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). October 1990. pp. 146–147.
  17. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). July 1991. pp. 142–145.
  18. ^ "Sapporo Kinen (G3) Full Result | R10". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 30 June 1991. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  19. ^ a b c Reading Famous Horses (in Japanese). pp. 242–247.
  20. ^ Hanaoka, Takako (5 July 2018). "障害帰りのGI馬メジロパーマー列伝。障害界の怪物オジュウチョウサンは続けるか/ウマ娘史実シリーズ（花岡貴子） - 個人 - Yahoo!ニュース" [The legend of Mejiro Palmer, a GI horse returning from an obstacle race. Will Oju Chosan, the monster of the obstacle race, continue?]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Yahoo Japan Corporation. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  21. ^ Weekly 100 Famous Horses (in Japanese). p. 6.
  22. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). February 2000. pp. 92–95.
  23. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). June 1992. pp. 140–143.
  24. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). July 1992. p. 174.
  25. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). July 1992. pp. 36–38.
  26. ^ a b "第33回宝塚記念(GI)" [The 33rd Takarazuka Kinen (GI)]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 14 June 1992. Archived from the original on 26 December 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  27. ^ Weekly Top 100 Horses (in Japanese). p. 8.
  28. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). November 1992. p. 25.
  29. ^ a b Yushun (in Japanese). January 1993. pp. 136–139.
  30. ^ a b c d Yushun (in Japanese). February 1993. pp. 8, 150–153.
  31. ^ a b c "Arima Kinen (G1) Full Result | R9". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 27 December 1992. Archived from the original on 30 July 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  32. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). May 1993. pp. 136–137.
  33. ^ Yushun (in Japanese). June 1993. pp. 140–143.
  34. ^ "Nikkei Shinshun Hai (G2) Full Result | R11". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 23 January 1994. Archived from the original on 7 August 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  35. ^ Horse Racing Famous Horse Reader 3 (in Japanese). p. 159.
  36. ^ a b Yushun (in Japanese). April 2006. p. 55.
  37. ^ "Statistics | Stallion Reports | Mejiro Palmer(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  38. ^ "Mejiro Raiden(JPN) | JBIS-Search". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
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