The Exact Age Of El Condor Pasa During His First Race: A Deep Dive Into The Japanese Legend's Debut
Contents
El Condor Pasa: A Champion's Biography and Profile
El Condor Pasa (Japanese: エルコンドルパサー) was a Dark Bay or Brown Thoroughbred horse whose career spanned just three years, but whose impact is still felt decades later. His profile is a unique blend of American bloodlines and Japanese training, designed for international success.- Foaled: March 17, 1995
- Sire: Kingmambo
- Dam: Saddlers Gal (IRE) (by Sadler's Wells)
- Sex: Colt (later Horse/Stallion)
- Breeder: Takashi Watanabe
- Owner: Takashi Watanabe
- Trainer: Yoshitaka Ninomiya (Miho Training Center, Japan)
- Record: 11 Starts, 8 Wins, 3 Seconds, 0 Thirds
- Major Wins (G1/Jpn-I): NHK Mile Cup (1998), Japan Cup (1998), Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (1999)
- Key Achievement: Second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (1999)
- Died: July 16, 2002 (at age 7)
The Two-Year-Old Debut: How El Condor Pasa Began His Career
El Condor Pasa was foaled on March 17, 1995, in the Northern Hemisphere. Under the rules of racing in this region, a Thoroughbred's official birthday is January 1st. This means that by January 1, 1997, he was officially considered a two-year-old, even though his actual second birthday (March 17) was still a few months away. His first competitive start took place later in 1997. While the exact date of his maiden race is often overlooked in favor of his major victories, the record confirms he had only one start during his two-year-old season in 1997. This single outing was a victory, immediately signaling the exceptional talent he possessed. Starting a career as a juvenile is standard practice for many top-tier Thoroughbreds, allowing them to gain experience and qualify for the lucrative three-year-old classics. The fact that he was an American-bred horse, a son of the influential Kingmambo, yet was trained in Japan, added an immediate layer of intrigue to his development. His owner and breeder, Takashi Watanabe, had a clear vision for the colt, and his early success as a two-year-old laid the foundation for his spectacular three-year-old season.The Rise to Stardom: Juvenile Success and the Classic Season
Following his successful debut as a two-year-old, El Condor Pasa exploded onto the Japanese racing scene in 1998 as a three-year-old. This season cemented his status as a national champion and a horse of immense potential. His three-year-old campaign was marked by a series of high-profile victories that demonstrated his versatility and class:Triumphs as a Three-Year-Old
The 1998 season was a near-perfect run for El Condor Pasa. He secured five wins and one second place from six starts. * NHK Mile Cup (Jpn-I): A major victory that showcased his speed and ability over the mile distance. * Japan Cup (Jpn-I): This was perhaps his most significant domestic victory. The Japan Cup is one of the world's premier international races, and his win against a field of top international contenders announced his arrival on the global stage. This victory earned him the title of Japan's Horse of the Year. His dominance in 1998 proved that the talent he displayed as a two-year-old was not a fluke. The connections, including owner Takashi Watanabe and trainer Yoshitaka Ninomiya, were now ready to embark on the ultimate challenge: a campaign in Europe.The Audacious European Campaign and the Arc Heartbreak
The year 1999 saw El Condor Pasa, now a four-year-old, travel to France to take on Europe’s best. This decision was a bold move that had been attempted by Japanese horses before, but never with such a high degree of success. The ultimate goal was the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.The European Warm-Ups
To prepare for the Arc, El Condor Pasa raced in two key French Group 1 contests, showcasing his ability to handle European turf and distance: 1. Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1): He won this race convincingly, establishing himself as a serious threat to the European elite. 2. Prix Foy (G2): He followed this up with another victory, confirming his fitness and form heading into the main event. These performances were a massive boost for Japanese racing, proving that their horses could not only compete but win at the highest level in Europe. He was a Champion in France, a testament to his class.The 1999 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The 1999 Arc de Triomphe became the defining race of El Condor Pasa’s career. Facing a stellar field, including the brilliant Irish colt Montjeu, the race was a classic showdown. El Condor Pasa delivered a phenomenal performance, running a courageous race and finishing a clear second to Montjeu. While the loss was a disappointment for his legions of Japanese fans, his performance was historic. He earned an international rating of 134, which, at the time, was the highest ever achieved by a Japanese-trained horse. This race transformed him into a national hero and is widely considered the foundation for Japan's ongoing obsession with winning the Arc, a race that still eludes them. The courage he showed in the final strides cemented his legacy as a true warrior.Legacy, Stud Career, and Tragic End
El Condor Pasa retired from racing at the end of his four-year-old season in 1999. He finished his career with an incredible record of 8 wins and 3 seconds from 11 starts, never finishing worse than second.Retirement to Stud
He began his career as a breeding stallion in Japan, carrying the hopes of passing on his international class to the next generation. As a son of Kingmambo, a world-class sire, and out of a mare by the legendary Sadler's Wells, he possessed a pedigree perfectly suited for stud duties. Unfortunately, his time at stud was tragically brief. After only three seasons, El Condor Pasa passed away on July 16, 2002, at the young age of seven. His death was caused by complications from colic following an unsuccessful surgery to correct an intestinal torsion. Despite his short stud career, he managed to sire several notable horses, including: * Admire Max: Winner of the 2005 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1). * Viking Reel: A successful runner in Japan. * Song of Wind: Winner of the 2006 Kobe Shimbun Hai. His premature death was a profound loss to the global Thoroughbred industry, robbing Japan of a potentially great sire who could have further cemented their international standing.The Enduring Impact
El Condor Pasa's career, which began with his debut as a two-year-old, remains a benchmark for Japanese horses. He was a pioneer, a champion who proved that the dream of conquering Europe was achievable. He is remembered not just for his Japan Cup victory or his three-time champion status in Japan, but for his gutsy second-place finish in the Arc, a race that became a symbol of national pride and an ongoing quest for Japanese racing excellence. His story is a powerful reminder that true greatness is often measured not just in victories, but in the courage and ambition displayed on the world's biggest stages.
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