IRL:Narita Top Road

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Spoilers ahead! This page contains real life information that may spoil any story or events related to the character. Read at your own discretion!

Narita Top Road
ナリタトップロード
Main
Narita Top Road at the 2002 Kyoto Daishoten
Silks
Romaji	Narita Toppu Roodo
Foaled	April 04, 1996
Died	November 07, 2005
Sire	Soccer Boy
Dam	Floral Magic
Sex	Stallion
Color	Chestnut
Trainer	Hideo Oki
Race Record	30: 8-6-16
Earnings	990,112,000 JPY
Major wins
Kisaragi Sho (1999) Yayoi Sho (1999) Kikuka Sho (1999) Hanshin Daishoten (2001, 2002) Kyoto Kinen (2002) Kyoto Daishoten (2002)

One devotion, Road to the Top.

One devotion, Road to the Top.

Looking back, there were battles with wonderful rivals for the throne.
In the wake, there was a great crown of chrysanthemum.
But you never stopped running.
After the friends you fought tooth and nail with left the turf, you, with the pride of your generation, stood up to new challenges.
You, and everyone have but one devotion.
Road to the Top.
JRA Hero's Biography 53

Narita Top Road was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2002. As a fan favorite horse, he shared the 1999 classic crowns with T.M. Opera O and Admire Vega with a win at the Kikuka Sho.

Name Origin

"Narita" is the crown name of owner Hidenori Yamaji, taken from a Buddhist Temple (Narita-san Osaka branch) near his home in Osaka.

Racing career

Before Debut and the Two Year Old Season (1998)

Owner Yamaji called trainer Yoshio Oki to the farm to pick foal with a stayer build, which would become Narita Top Road. His jockey was be Kunihiko Watanabe, a young jockey with just five years of experience.

Narita Top Road debuted on the 5th of December, 1998. He was the favorite but took a close 2nd place. He was able to secure his first victory in another newcomer race the same month on the 27th. It was said that he was rushing both races, and had a bleed at the corners of the mouth from being pulled back.

Road to the Top: the Three-Year-Old Season (1999)

After the turn of the year, Narita Top Road's first race of the season was the Fukujiso Tokubetsu, two weeks after his win at the newcomers race. Trainer Oki, who was concerned about the eagerness of the horse, told jockey Watanabe to pay attention to riding in harmony. Despite only getting 3rd, Top Road was said to have learnt the rhythm of Watanabe, and never had a mouth corner bleed again, and Watanabe also had no more struggles riding him. Their next race was the Kisaragi Sho (G3), despite a jump up in class, just a head ahead from overwhelming favorite Eishin Cameron, the two managed snatched both the first graded win for both horse and jockey. Watanabe commented on Top Road's strong fighting spirit, and says the performance was better than the margin indicated.

The road to the classics starts with the Satsuki Sho trial race, the Yayoi Sho (G2) in March. Trainer Oki wished for his apprentice Watanabe to grow and so kept him on the saddle. Though against the blue-blooded pedigree of favorite Admire Vega with legendary jockey Yutaka Take, jockey Watanabe decided to race the same as usual. Staying in the middle of the pack, Narita Top Road initiated a long spurt from the outside of the 4th corner, while Admire Vega, blocked at the very back, could only manage to start closing when they entered the straight. Though showing off an immense finishing kick, Admire Vega was simply too far behind to catch Narita Top Road and Watanabe, and they were able to make a name for themselves as the rivals to the best horse in the generation to enter the classics under the spotlight.

Satsuki Sho: Unexpected Challenger

In the Satsuki Sho, Narita Top Road was once again the 2nd favorite behind their biggest rival Admire Vega. With the ground slippery from a drizzle, and them being marked by others, Watanabe was unable to race according to his plans, while Take tightly marks them on Admire Vega. Finding a way out on the third corner, they both start making a move for the front. Despite making breaking from most of the pack on the straight, there was another horse that came flying from the outside. That was T.M. Opera O, who had just showed a dominant victory at the Mainichi Hai (G2) and late registered for the classics. Despite only being 5th favorite, he showed and explosive final kick to finish 1st, taking his jockey (who was two years younger than Watanabe) Wada's first G1 victory, while Narita Top Road had finished 3rd by a nose, clearly focusing on the slippery ground and was unable to utilize his big strides on the tight turning Nakayama Racecourse. Even still, a podium position in adverse conditions for Top Road proved his strength as a competitor on the classics stage, and Admire Vega meanwhile finished in 5th, perhaps taking a hit to performance by his -12kg weight fluctuation from the Yayoi Sho. With this race, the big three of the generation were solidified: Narita Top Road and young Watanabe, Admire Vega with legend Take, and T.M. Opera O ridden by rookie Wada.

Japanese Derby: Hot-Headedness and Experience

With the defeat in the Satsuki Sho, jockey Watanabe rewatched the footage of the race. In reference to Yutaka Take's riding in the previous year (A win in the Kisaragi Sho, Yayoi Sho, losing in the Satsuki Sho and wining the Derby with Special Week), he decides to ride Top Road by keeping in mind to ride following horse's mood. Top Road himself was in great condition without much change to weight, and the team was able to enter the derby with confidence. On the day of the derby, Narita Top Road had just edged past both Admire Vega and T.M. Opera O to be the favorite in the race. With a sunny day in the wide Tokyo Racecourse, they set off for the throne of the best three year old in their generation. While right behind Wada and Opera O, Watanabe and Top Road followed them as they turned for home on the long Tokyo straight. Their duel went all the way to the 200 meter marker, where Admire Vega, who had crept closer and closer to them into the straight from further back, finally past them in the final moments, taking a head's lead on the line from Top Road. In a three way duel for the ages, Admire Vega had shone as the brightest of all. As Opera O went too early with Wada, Watanabe was also too fixated onto passing them and had only realized his mistake when it was too late, and Take rode calmly and precisely to catch both of them. Watanabe, who wanted to make his mentor, trainer Oki, a derby trainer more than himself a derby jockey, had fell just short. Despite Oki saying that he had no regrets and Watanabe did great, Watanabe himself was seen with tears after the race.

Kikuka Sho: The Top and the Chrysanthemum Crown

Narita Top Road rested in Hokkaido over the summer, and returned to start training in Hakodate for the Autumn season. Their first race back was the Kyoto Shinbun Hai (G2), a trial race for the Kikuka Sho, where they once again faced off against Admire Vega. Top Road was again the favorite, racing in the middle to swing out on the final corner, and Admire Vega followed to pass by a head, like a recreation of the derby. However, with this loss, Watanabe had changed. He thought he can't race the same way again or he will lose in the Kikuka Sho. He collected his thoughts and cleared his head for the final leg of the 1999 classics, deciding to race on his own terms, staying closer the front to use the Top Road's long spurt.

Despite feeling like he can't lose out again, Watanabe was not overly nervous on the day of the Kikuka Sho. Narita Top Road was the 3rd favorite behind the two crown holders, Admire Vega and T.M Opera O. Staying close to the front near the rail in an extremely slow paced first 2,000m, Watanabe confirms the position of the two favorites behind him, and uses the downslope of Kyoto to up the pace into the final corner turning for home. They are able to corner with minimal distance loss to stand at the front of the pack, while Wada on T.M. Opera O had to go far wide to chase them when he finally abandoned the mark onto Admire Vega. Alas, it was not enough. Narita Top Road and Watanabe finally stood at the top as the winners of the final leg of the classics. The crowd erupted into cheers and a chant for Watanabe, and he was finally able to give a great title to trainer Oki.

Perhaps the distance was too long for Admire Vega, who placed 6th in the race. He took a long rest afterwards and was diagnosed and subsequently retired from tendonitis, making this Kikuka Sho his last race.

In the Arima Kinen, Narita Top Road placed 6th in the fan vote about Admire Vega in 7th and T.M. Opera O in 8th, the highest in the 1999 generation. Despite following frontrunner Silent Hunter in 2nd, with tougher competition of older horses and the Nakayama Racecourse adverseness, Top Road only managed to finish 7th. Meanwhile, T.M. Opera O showed his strength in this race, finishing a head behind the legendary 4 cm photo finish between Grass Wonder and Special Week.

Reign of the King: the Four-Year-Old Season (2000)

Returning to the track in the year 2000, Narita Top Road first raced in the Kyoto Kinen (G2). Following T.M. Opera O closely, they enter a long stretch duel again on the Kyoto straight, and Top Road is defeated by just a head. Narita Top Road then entered the 3,000m Hanshin Daishoten (G2), in which he faced off against Opera O again with the 2nd favorite Rascal Suzuka, the 3rd placer in their Kikuka Sho. Unfortunately for Top Road, the race was ran on damp terrain from rain. Not following the two breakaway horses, the pack with all three favorites finally catch them on the home straight, where T.M. Opera O pulled a 2.5 length lead to the line ahead of Rascal Suzuka, and Narita Top Road finished just a head behind. The new big three have been formed, Admire Vega is out of the picture and replaced with Rascal Suzuka, younger brother to the late Silence Suzuka and also jockeyed by Yutaka Take.

Despite the cloudy sky, the Tenno Sho (Spring) had firm ground to run on. Out of the gate, Narita Top Road took a pace chasing position with Opera O behind him and Rascal staying further back. Top Road went early on the hill of Kyoto and turns for home in front, with Opera O following closely, and surged past them halfway through the straight. Rascal Suzuka also attacked from behind to slice between the two for 2nd place, and the big three finished in the same order as the Hanshin Daishoten. Narita Top Road was rested until the Autumn season to treat his chronic periostitis.

Come autumn, Narita Top Road immediately faced his biggest rival T.M. Opera O in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2), where trainer Oki said, "If we’re ever going to beat that horse, this is the time". The race unfolded familiarly, with Top Road once again turning for home in front of the main pack, with Opera O following close. They battle again on the Kyoto straight with Watanabe's whip flying to tell Top Road to give it his all. Meanwhile, jockey Wada simply held on the reins, and his whip was not raised out a single time into the finish. T.M. Opera O had won by a head, but the difference is clear, and trainer Oki said he was a step above Narita Top Road. Despite not intentionally racing against T.M. Opera O, they had lost many races to him. Watanabe said, "I felt like I was thinking day and night about how to win against him."

The show must go on, and to the next race comes the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Rascal Suzuka could not race due to tendonitis, and in his place was the Takarazuka Kinen 2nd placer behind T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto. Narita Top Road still sits behind the two as the 3rd favorite. However, they were on wet turf, and Top Road could not extend and finished 5th, while T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto finishes 1st and 2nd. Even though they had competed well and met the prize money requirements, with no graded wins in the year from constantly competing against Opera O, they were not even able to enter the Japan Cup. This called for a change of plans, and the team had to instead aim for the Arima Kinen and entered Narita Top Road to the longest flat graded race in Japan, the Stayers Stakes (G2). Though they were overwhelmingly the favorites from being the only G1 winner in the field, perhaps due to being on the Nakayama Racecourse and having water splashed on the turf earlier by the staff, they had finished 4th place, out of the podium. Although trainer Oki thinking that the loss was out of their control, insults instead of cheers were thrown at Watanabe and Narita Top Road when they came back from the track.

Before the Arima Kinen, which was also held on Nakayama Racecourse, trainer Oki had made a tough decision: Top Road's first and only jockey Watanabe was changed out for Hitoshi Matoba, a much more experienced veteran who rode the likes of Rice Shower and Grass Wonder, the winner of the two previous Arima Kinens. Oki gave the reason that, despite wanting Watanabe to perform, as Nakayama was a tough condition for Top Road, and a more experienced jockey should be able to help him more. While this devastated Watanabe, trainer Oki ensured him that as Mr. Matoba retired as a jockey in February 2001, it was only a matter of time before Watanabe was on the saddle on Top Road.

Narita Top Road placed 2nd in the fan vote, just behind T.M. Opera O, the reigning king of the turf in a 7 graded win streak, while having no wins of his own for more than a year. Staying near the leaders, Matoba also turned Top Road into the straight on the outside, while T.M. Opera O were trapped by a net of horses, unable to escape until the last stretch. However, on the hill, Opera O miraculously slipped through a tiny gap between Narita Top Road and Meisho Doto to make a legendary surge to the finish 1st for the undefeated grand slam. Narita Top Road finished 9th, while an unsavory result, it was not unexpected. The year ended without a single win for Narita Top Road.

Beginning of a New Era: the Five-Year-Old Season (2001)

Narita Top Road ran just one more time after the turn of the year with jockey Matoba, in the Kyoto Kinen (G2). Despite being the favorite again, he was passed from behind by last year's Derby winner Agnes Flight, and Maquereau, ridden by the main jockey of Meisho Doto. After jockey Watanabe's return on the saddle, the team aimed again for the Tenno Sho (Spring) by going to the Hanshin Daishoten (G2).

Hanshin Daishoten: On Top of the World

A return to the 3,000m Hanshin course, jockey Watanabe himself said that he was able to readjust and ride with a fresh mind; and they were again the favorites just in front of the horse that defeated them at the Kyoto Kinen, Maquereau, and no T.M. Opera O to worry for. In a field stretched long and thin by the runaway Hot Secret and Tagajo Noble while Maquereau fell behind early, Narita Top Road stayed in the middle of the main pack in a familiar position. The field becomes packed again turning into the final two corners, and Watanabe, who had been watching out for both front and back, turns the corner on the outside of both frontrunners. They had passed the entire pack before Watanabe even swung the whip once, and when he did, there was no catching them. Narita Top Road soared along the straight into the finish with a staggering 8 length lead. Narita Top Road had not won since the Kikuka Sho a year and four months ago, but this performance was not just a return to form or a show of strength, as the red lamp for "record" turned on, Narita Top Road, who had carried 59kg in the race, became a new world record holder: 3,000 meters in 3:02.5.

In the winning interview, jockey Watanabe made his intentions clear: "He's getting better, and I'll try not to get a result like last year. There's one strong horse, but he's not any worse."

Tenno Sho (Spring): The Rain Song

Narita Top Road's second Tenno Sho (Spring) attempt, with the team determined to win against T.M. Opera O, was met with dreaded rain. With Tagajo Noble and Seiun Sky (who had just returned onto the turf after a one and a half year hiatus) breaking away, the big players in the race T.M Opera O, Meisho Doto, and Air Shakur all stuck together in a main pack right behind Narita Top Road. As Seiun Sky falls behind, the pack chases up to Tagajo Noble on the hill of the Kyoto racecourse, and Narita Top Road turns into the final corner just behind Mejiro Lambert. In a desperate fight for the lead on the final straight, though Narita Top Road staood in front for a brief moment, he was passed by T.M. Opera O and then Meisho Doto just before the finish line. While T.M. Opera O has defended his title, Narita Top Road again took home third in a frustrating defeat from his wet track averseness.

Kyoto Daishoten: The Fall

With the team deciding to rest him until the autumn season to again tend to his chronic periostitis, Narita Top Road returns to the turf at the Kyoto Daishoten(G2). Once again facing T.M. Opera O with the inclusion of 7 year old Dubai Sheema Classic (G2) winner Stay Gold, they're in a small field of just 7 horses. Narita Top Road has grown over the summer, and trainer Oki said that he felt like he had changed as much as when he was still growing in his 2 year old season, giving the team much confidence entering this race against his eternal rival. Turning into the final straight parallel in front, Narita Top Road finds himself between Opera O and Stay Gold trying to pass him. Just as Stay Gold has gotten past him, he swerved left into the path of Narita Top Road, who was neck and neck with T.M. Opera O on the straight. Being impeded, Narita Top Road trips and sends jockey Watanabe tumbling over him and onto the Kyoto turf. As Stay Gold passes the post with T.M. Opera O three quarter lengths behind, the blue lamp for stewards' review lights up. Stay Gold was disqualified, and T.M. Opera O was the "winner" of the race. T.M. Opera O's fall from grace was slow but unmistakable, but Narita Top Road himself just got a much bigger issue.

Jockey Watanabe ached from the heart even more than with his body, "I felt so terrible for putting him through that experience", "It was preventable, but I was too occupied trying to win." Although Narita Top Road was fine physically through screening, he was undoubtedly shaken by the incident. He had stood still, unwilling to move in his stable in Kyoto, and had to be pushed into the truck to transport him back to Ritto. Trainer Oki had worried, "it could be the end of this horse's life as a racer." The team took their time to slowly ease away his trauma, ultimately having to pull out from the Tenno Sho (Autumn).

Japan Cup: Standing Back Up

Narita Top Road took a month and a half to finally return to training. Though the team still doesn't know how much Top Road had recovered and race ready, they still entered into the pinnacle of races, the Japan Cup (G1). When To the Victory passed the whole pack to run away on the back straight, Narita Top Road found himself third from the back, far from the two favorites T.M. Opera O and Jungle Pocket. Narita Top Road, who had to turn out wide in the final corner, witnesses a generational duel on the long straight of the Tokyo Racecourse. As Jungle Pocket surges towards T.M. Opera O, Narita Top Road follows; three, four lengths behind Jungle Pocket, Narita Top Road claws his way forward. As Jungle Pocket passed T.M. Opera O, both clear of the pack, Narita Top Road also edged out the rest to stand on the podium in third. Notably, this is also the first time Narita Top Road had finished in front of Meisho Doto.

Arima Kinen: A Farewell to the Big Three

The Arima Kinen was of course held in the Nakayama Racecourse. However, with Narita Top Road in 4th on the vote, the team wanted to answer to the fans' support: as both T.M. Opera O and Meisho Doto are retiring, this was the final race for the "Big Three" of 2000, and one last chance for Narita Top Road to take down T.M. Opera O. Unfortunately, reality struck as Narita Top Road turns for the short straight far behind both Meisho Doto and T.M. Opera O, all them them struggling to keep up with the winner, the three year old Manhattan Cafe, and coming in 4th, 5th, and 10th respectively. The sun had set for the conqueror, who retired with the lowest placement ever in his career; and the battles had finally come to a close, with Narita Top Road not finishing above T.M. Opera O a single time after the classics. Both owner Yamaji and trainer Oki had thought the same thing, "We wanted to win against Opera O, but he was too strong." Jockey Watanabe recounted, "it's often said that 'if only that horse wasn't there', but I was also able to try my hardest with him there."

Pride of a Generation: the Six-Year-Old Season (2002)

As his rivals leave the turf one by one, Narita Top Road continued racing into his six-year-old season, and returns to the turf to face new challengers, once again in the Kyoto Kinen. Carrying 60kg and falling to 3rd favorite, he actively followed the frontrunner Sakura Namiki O and entered a heated duel with fellow 99 classics generation horse Matikane Kinnohosi on the Kyoto straight; despite being behind initially, he strike back and takes the win by a head.

Hanshin Daishoten: I am still here.

Taking the world record last year, Narita Top Road returned to the 3000m Hanshin course as the definitive No.1 Favorite, even against last year's horse of the year Jungle Pocket. They took a mid pack position out of the gate and into the first lap, Narita Top Road moved up to right behind the pace setters, with Jungle Pocket stalking closely. However, there was no doubt in Narita Top Road as he clears a two length lead on the straight into the finish in front the four wide 2nd place fight, which went to Jungle Pocket. Jockey Watanabe said, "his performance in both the Kyoto Kinen and the Hanshin Daishoten were fantastic and I felt that this time might be the biggest chance we have."

Tenno Sho (Spring): Third Time's the Charm?

A chance it was at the 3,200 meter Tenno Sho (Spring); In his third attempt, this time without Opera O, Narita Top Road might finally win another G1. Jockey Watanabe even said, "we were said to be the strongest generation, if we lost, I would feel sorry for Opera O." Above the four-year-olds Manhattan Cafe and Jungle Pocket, Narita Top Road finds himself as the favorite in a G1 since the fateful Derby. With the three staying close to each other out of the gates and along the first lap, Manhattan Cafe stayed closest to the rail with Narita Top Road following on the outside and Jungle Pocket watching both from behind. Narita Top Road makes the move first as they head down the slope of Yodo into the final corner, and turns on the outside into the wide Kyoto straight. Meanwhile, the pack opens up for Manhattan Cafe to slip through, and Jungle Pocket followed Narita Top Road to go on the outside once they're facing the finish. As they both desperately chase Manhattan Cafe in the lead, Jungle Pocket rounded out Narita Top Road, and the three finish each a half length apart. Third, three years in a row. Though Watanabe tried, they only ended up with the "record" matching the ever loved Nice Nature.

Kyoto Daishoten: Holding the Torch

Narita Top Road rested after the Tenno Sho as usual, and returned again to the Kyoto Daishoten for the third time. Unfortunately, jockey Watanabe fractured his leg over the summer, and the team entrusted Hirofumi Shii, who had been a great source of advice and encouragement to Watanabe, famously giving him a pat on the back to ease his nerves before the Kikuka Sho. Despite the cloudy sky, the race started with no rain and Narita Top Road as the favorite in the small field of 8. Staying mid pack, Narita Top Road turned wide with jockey Shii and overtook the pack. With their lead widening, Narita Top Road crosses the line while commentator Tetsushi Baba calls "Passing the torch? What is that? Doesn't matter, Narita Top Road!" A fantastic performance to make the first time Narita Top Road has returned in Autumn with a win.

Tenno Sho (Autumn): Renewing Hope

Tokyo Racecourse has gone into remodeling, and the autumn senior triple crown will all be held on the Nakayama Racecourse. Drawing the inside gate, with damp ground announced as firm, Narita Top Road was unable to break well and had started the race at the back of the pack. Moving up just slightly throughout the race, there was no choice but to turn wide again onto the dreaded Nakayama straight. However, it was different this time. While the three year old Symboli Kris S pulled clear of the pack, Narita Top Road fought his way up the hill and digs in. Stride by stride, he closes the gap, though it was not enough to catch 1st, by 3/4 lengths, he had finished 2nd with the fastest last three furlongs out of all horses in the race.

Japan Cup: If Only

The gate draw, the distance, and the weather, somehow staying dry, all seemed like they were on Narita Top Road's side. Owner Yamaji, who had attended the race, believed in his horse's good performance, "I didn't say it out loud, but I thought, if he wins here, I might let him retire". Again turning wide into the Nakayama straight, this time right next to Symboli Kris S, Narita Top Road and Shii try to make a move for the front. But they didn't move. Narita Top Road stayed in the back and watched as Symboli Kris S fell by a head to the nose and nose Falbrav and Sarafan, finishing in 10th. This was the first time Narita Top Road has finished outside of the top 5 when not in the Arima Kinen, and once again showed his adversity to Nakayama. Trainer Oki had also suspected, "He was apprehensive about being seen by veterinarians after the accident, and maybe in that moment it flashed through his mind. When I thought back at it carefully, that's a plausible reason for this defeat."

Arima Kinen: Beloved Pair, Final Race.

Owner Yamaji asked Watanabe to return for one final ride with Narita Top Road. When he's visiting trainer Oki's stables, he said, "He's at his limit, if I make him run more I would feel bad for the horse, but I still want him to win in his last race." And to Watanabe, "no need to be nervous, it's your last time".

First. That's Narita Top Road's fan vote placement for the Arima Kinen. Despite considering going to the Hong Kong Vase, the team decided there was no better way to close the curtains for Narita Top Road than in front of the fans that loved him.

Pouring rain had fallen the day before the race. While the start was pushed pack, Watanabe was checking the ground conditions. "It was better than I thought", he recalled, "maybe it could be something." Entering the field among the banners and cheers, Watanabe thought to himself, "it's my final time with Top Road, I'm going to miss all of this. It will feel lonely." The race must go on, and the gates must open: Tap Dance City breaks away with Fine Motion , and Narita Top Road leads the following pack. As Fine Motion falls back into the pack, Tap Dance City widens his lead into the 3rd and 4th corner. As they face the straight with Tap Dance City to catch, Narita Top Road hangs on for dear life while Symboli Kris S flies past. The black horse had made an unbelievable surge to Tap Dance City, and won by half a length. Coin Toss, who had slipped through on the inside, manages to keep up two lengths behind. Narita Top Road? He hung on and shut out everyone else another two and a half lengths behind, coming in 4th. On yielding turf, amongst the cheers, riding as they always did, Narita Top Road and Watanabe had finished in the top 5 for the very first time in the Arima Kinen.

"Though I would have loved to see him on solid firm ground, he was able to run well in the end." Jockey Watanabe remarked, "I would have loved to do more for him, and I will miss him."

Retirement, Breeding Career and Death

Narita Top Road was retired after the 2002 Arima Kinen, and had a retirement ceremony held on the 19th of January in Kyoto Racecourse, where he wore his winning number 1 bib in the Kikuka Sho. He was running around with energy to spare.

Winning the most G2s ever at the time, he also has the 2nd most earning in his generation over Meisho Doto, and is still the 3rd highest earning Japanese racehorse with 1 G1 win (after Cheval Grand and Stay Gold).

After retirement, Narita Top Road was sent to Shadai Stallion Station to begin his stud duties. While they discovered a bladder stone in February 2005, he received surgery after the end of the breeding season on the 8th of October. He passed away from acute heart failure on the 7th of November, 2005, coincidentally, exactly 6 years after his Kikuka Sho victory. He left behind just three generations of offspring, the most notable of which, Bella Rheia, won the 2007 Flora Stakes and placed 2nd in the 2007 Japanese Oaks (Yushun Himba).

Honors

• World record for 3,000m turf (3:02.5) achieved in the 2001 Hanshin Daishoten

Relationships

Relatives

• Soccer Boy - Father

Race Records

Race data sourced from netkeiba.

Date	Racecourse	Race	Grade	Distance	Gate	Odds	Fav.	Fin.	Time	Margin	Jockey	Winner (Runner-Up)	Other Umamusume
1998/12/05	Hanshin	Three-Year-Old Newcomer	Maiden	T 2000m	9	2.6	1	2	2:06.2	0.0	K.Watanabe	Meiner Success
1998/12/27	Hanshin	Three-Year-Old Newcomer	Maiden	T 2000m	12	1.9	1	1	2:04.0	-0.2	K.Watanabe	(Tai Gubijinso)
1999/01/10	Kyoto	Fukujuso Tokubetsu	Pre-OP	T 2000m	8	4.5	3	3	2:02.3	0.4	K.Watanabe	Thrilling Sunday
1999/02/07	Kyoto	Kisaragi Sho	G3	T 1800m	5	4.6	2	1	1:49.1	0.0	K.Watanabe	(Eishin Cameron)
1999/03/07	Nakayama	Yayoi Sho	G2	T 2000m	12	4.0	2	1	2:03.5	-0.2	K.Watanabe	(Admire Vega)	Admire Vega
1999/04/18	Nakayama	Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas)	G1	T 2000m	8	3.3	2	3	2:00.7	0.0	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Admire Vega
1999/06/06	Tokyo	Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby)	G1	T 2400m	11	3.9	1	2	2:25.4	0.1	K.Watanabe	Admire Vega	Admire Vega, T.M. Opera O
1999/10/17	Kyoto	Kyoto Shimbun Hai	G2	T 2200m	8	2.8	1	2	2:12.3	0.0	K.Watanabe	Admire Vega	Admire Vega
1999/11/07	Kyoto	Kikuka Sho (Japanese St.Leger)	G1	T 3000m	1	4.1	3	1	3:07.6	-0.1	K.Watanabe	(T.M. Opera O)	T.M. Opera O, Admire Vega
1999/12/26	Nakayama	Arima Kinen	G1	T 2500m	1	6.8	4	7	2:37.8	0.6	K.Watanabe	Grass Wonder	Grass Wonder, Special Week, T.M. Opera O, Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi, Mejiro Bright, Stay Gold
2000/02/20	Kyoto	Kyoto Kinen	G2	T 2200m	9	2.9	2	2	2:13.8	0.0	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Stay Gold
2000/03/19	Hanshin	Hanshin Daishoten	G2	T 3000m	5	2.9	3	3	3:09.8	0.4	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O
2000/04/30	Kyoto	Tenno Sho (Spring)	G1	T 3200m	11	3.5	2	3	3:17.8	0.2	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Stay Gold
2000/10/08	Kyoto	Kyoto Daishoten	G2	T 2400m	10	2.6	2	2	2:26.0	0.0	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi, Mejiro Bright
2000/10/29	Tokyo	Tenno Sho (Autumn)	G1	T 2000m	3	4.9	3	5	2:00.5	0.6	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, Stay Gold
2000/12/02	Nakayama	Stayers Stakes	G2	T 3600m	3	1.3	1	4	3:45.9	0.3	K.Watanabe	Hot Secret
2000/12/24	Nakayama	Arima Kinen	G1	T 2500m	4	7.6	3	9	2:35.1	1.0	H.Matoba	T.M. Opera O	Tsurumaru Tsuyoshi, T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, King Halo, Stay Gold
2001/02/17	Kyoto	Kyoto Kinen	G2	T 2200m	11	2.3	1	3	2:12.5	0.2	H.Matoba	Maquereau
2001/03/18	Hanshin	Hanshin Daishoten	G2	T 3000m	3	2.5	1	1	3:02.5	-1.3	K.Watanabe	(Erimo Brian)
2001/04/29	Kyoto	Tenno Sho (Spring)	G1	T 3200m	12	3.4	2	3	3:16.4	0.2	K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, Air Shakur, Seiun Sky
2001/10/07	Kyoto	Kyoto Daishoten	G2	T 2400m	4	2.4	2	DNF			K.Watanabe	T.M. Opera O	T.M. Opera O, Stay Gold
2001/11/25	Tokyo	Japan Cup	G1	T 2400m	10	14.4	5	3	2:24.4	0.6	K.Watanabe	Jungle Pocket	Jungle Pocket, T.M. Opera O, Meisho Doto, Stay Gold
2001/12/23	Nakayama	Arima Kinen	G1	T 2500m	5	7.5	4	10	2:33.9	0.8	K.Watanabe	Manhattan Cafe	Manhattan Cafe, Meisho Doto, T.M. Opera O
2002/02/16	Kyoto	Kyoto Kinen	G2	T 2200m	9	5.1	3	1	2:11.8	0.0	K.Watanabe	(Matikane Kinnohosi)
2002/03/17	Hanshin	Hanshin Daishoten	G2	T 3000m	4	1.9	1	1	3:07.9	-0.3	K.Watanabe	(Jungle Pocket)	Jungle Pocket
2002/04/28	Kyoto	Tenno Sho (Spring)	G1	T 3200m	5	2.7	1	3	3:19.6	0.1	K.Watanabe	Manhattan Cafe	Manhattan Cafe, Jungle Pocket
2002/10/06	Kyoto	Kyoto Daishoten	G2	T 2400m	1	1.7	1	1	2:23.6	-0.4	H.Shii	(Tsurumaru Boy)	Tap Dance City
2002/10/27	Nakayama	Tenno Sho (Autumn)	G1	T 2000m	1	5.1	2	2	1:58.6	0.1	H.Shii	Symboli Kris S	Symboli Kris S, Air Shakur, Dantsu Flame
2002/11/24	Nakayama	Japan Cup	G1	T 2200m	13	3.9	2	10	2:13.1	0.9	H.Shii	Falbrav	Symboli Kris S, Jungle Pocket, No Reason, Air Shakur
2002/12/22	Nakayama	Arima Kinen	G1	T 2500m	11	10.6	4	4	2:33.4	0.8	K.Watanabe	Symboli Kris S	Symboli Kris S, Tap Dance City, Fine Motion, No Reason, Jungle Pocket, Air Shakur, Hishi Miracle

Pedigree

Horse pedigree of Narita Top Road (JPN)

Sire Soccer Boy (JPN)	Dictus (FR)	Sanctus (FR)	Fine Top (FR)
			Sanelta (FR)
		Doronic (FR)	Worden (FR)
			Dulzetta (FR)
	Dyna Sash (JPN)	Northern Taste (CAN)	Northern Dancer (CAN)
			Lady Victoria (CAN)
		Royal Sash (GB)	Princely Gift (GB)
			Sash of Honour (GB)
Dam Floral Magic (USA)	Affirmed (USA)	Exclusive Native (USA)	Raise a Native (USA)
			Exclusive (USA)
		Won't Tell You (USA)	Crafty Admiral (USA)
			Scarlet Ribbon (USA)
	Rare Lady (USA)	Never Bend (USA)	Nasrullah (GB)
			Lalun (USA)
		Double Agent (USA)	Double Jay (USA)
			Conniver (USA), (Family: 18)

Trivia

• Despite being portrayed as an honor student in game, Narita Top Road was said to be a more playful, mischievous and also strong willed in real life.
  • This could be due to his notoriously bad-tempered sire Soccer Boy.
• Though not considered related in horse racing, Narita Top Road shares the same maternal grandfather as Meisho Doto, Affirmed.
• Narita Top Road was described as a horse with good looks, and he had a lot of female fans.
• Jockey Kunihiko Watanabe and T.M. Opera O's jockey Ryuji Wada were acquainted before they raced on the track as they were in the horse racing school together (two years apart), and since they were from the same city, actually went to the same elementary school together as well.
• Watanabe is described as a hardcore anime otaku, who got banned from microtransactions by his wife. He actively watches anime and also engages with the Umamusume franchise.
  • He uses the Umamusume Narita Top Road as his LINE profile picture.
  • He had cried watching the Road to the Top OVA on the metro.