IRL:Special Week - Revision history

Manikin at 14:12, 25 May 2026

2026-05-25T14:12:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:12, 25 May 2026
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	\| image_main = Special Week 19991031.jpg		\| image_main = Special Week 19991031.jpg
	\| image_silk = Usudasilks.png		\| image_silk = Usudasilks.png
	\| races =Japanese Derby (1998)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (1999)<br>Japan Cup (1999)<br>\|float: right; margin: 10px;		\| races =Kisaragi Sho (1998)<br>Yayoi Sho (1998)<br>Japanese Derby (1998)<br>American Jockey Club Cup (1999)<br>Hanshin Daishoten (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (1999)<br>Japan Cup (1999)<br>\|float: right; margin: 10px;
	}}		}}
	{{IRL_Horse_Quote		{{IRL_Horse_Quote

Manikin at 14:10, 25 May 2026

2026-05-25T14:10:24Z

Jacob81298: /* Breeding career */

2026-05-20T22:11:51Z

Breeding career

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:11, 20 May 2026
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	While he had success as a sire, he would become an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:		While he had success as a sire, he would become an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:
	* Epiphaneia (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)		* [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)
	* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)		* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)
	* Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi FS)		* Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi FS)

Manikin at 20:05, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T20:05:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 1 April 2026
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	\|4th gen sire 8=Hindostan (GB)		\|4th gen sire 8=Hindostan (GB)
	\|4th gen dam8=Shiraoki (JPN)		\|4th gen dam8=Shiraoki (JPN)
	\|family=F3-l}}		\|family=3-l}}

	== Trivia ==		== Trivia ==

Manikin at 20:05, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T20:05:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:05, 1 April 2026
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	\| irl_name = Special Week		\| irl_name = Special Week
	\| name_jp = スペシャルウィーク		\| name_jp = スペシャルウィーク
	\| caption = Special Week under jockey Yutaka Take at the 1999 Tenno Sho (~~autumn~~).		\| caption = Special Week under jockey Yutaka Take at the 1999 Tenno Sho (Autumn).
	\| name_ro = Supesharu Wīku		\| name_ro = Supesharu Wīku
	\| dob = 1995-05-02		\| dob = 1995-05-02
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	\| image_main = Special Week 19991031.jpg		\| image_main = Special Week 19991031.jpg
	\| image_silk = Usudasilks.png		\| image_silk = Usudasilks.png
	\| races = ~~Kisaragi Sho (1998)<br>Yayoi Sho (1998)<br>Kyoto Shimbun Hai (1998)<br>Tokyo Yushun (~~Japanese Derby) (1998~~)<br>Hanshin Daishoten (1999~~)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (1999)<br>Japan Cup (1999)<br>\|float: right; margin: 10px;		\| races =Japanese Derby (1998)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (1999)<br>Japan Cup (1999)<br>\|float: right; margin: 10px;
	}}		}}
	{{IRL_Horse_Quote		{{IRL_Horse_Quote
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	Special Week would debut on November 29th, at Hanshin Racecourse, winning his debut by 2 lengths. His jockey, Yutaka Take was impressed with his performance: "He ran the race just as I hoped while in training. He's a strong horse."<ref name="one"> </ref> It would set up a relationship with the Japanese jockey for next year's prep and Classic races.		Special Week would debut on November 29th, at Hanshin Racecourse, winning his debut by 2 lengths. His jockey, Yutaka Take was impressed with his performance: "He ran the race just as I hoped while in training. He's a strong horse."<ref name="one"> </ref> It would set up a relationship with the Japanese jockey for next year's prep and Classic races.

	===3 year old season (1998)===		=== 3 year old season (1998) ===

	~~<big>'''~~4 year old season (1999)~~'''</big>~~		=== 4 year old season (1999) ===

	~~<big>'''~~Retirement~~'''</big>~~		=== Retirement ===

	Shortly following his defeat in the Arima Kinen in his four year old season, Special Week retired from racing. Two retirement ceremonies were held for him on January 5th and 6th in 2000.		Shortly following his defeat in the Arima Kinen in his four year old season, Special Week retired from racing. Two retirement ceremonies were held for him on January 5th and 6th in 2000.
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	* Roman Legend (2012 Tokyo Daishoten)		* Roman Legend (2012 Tokyo Daishoten)
	* Toho Jackal (2014 Kikuka Sho)		* Toho Jackal (2014 Kikuka Sho)

	While he had success as a sire, he would become an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:		While he had success as a sire, he would become an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:
	* Epiphaneia (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)		* Epiphaneia (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)
	* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)		* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)
	*Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi FS)		* Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi FS)
	* Deirdre (2017 Shuka Sho, 2019 Nassau Stakes)		* Deirdre (2017 Shuka Sho, 2019 Nassau Stakes)
	* Saturnalia (2018 Hopeful Stakes, 2019 Satsuki Sho)		* Saturnalia (2018 Hopeful Stakes, 2019 Satsuki Sho)
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	* Tagano Beauty (2024 JBC Sprint)		* Tagano Beauty (2024 JBC Sprint)

	On February 3 2017, Special Week ~~would retire~~ from his stud career and was moved back to his birthplace, Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo and ~~would stay~~ there for the rest of his days. On April 27 2018, staff at the ranch ~~would find~~ Special Week had fell in his stall, ~~would be~~ soon confirmed dead by the farm due to injuries he had sustained. He was 23 years old.		On February 3 2017, Special Week retired from his stud career and was moved back to his birthplace, Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo and stayed there for the rest of his days. On April 27 2018, the staff at the ranch found Special Week had fell in his stall, and was soon confirmed dead by the farm due to injuries he had sustained. He was 23 years old.

	== Honors ==		== Honors ==
	~~'''~~JRA Special Award~~'''~~ (1999)		*JRA Special Award (1999)

	== Relationships ==		== Relationships ==
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	* Special Week was known to be friendly towards humans, but indifferent towards other horses, preferring to be alone rather than mingling with others. Though he seemed to get along with other horses, should he wanted to socialize. This indifference stemmed from the mistreatment by his foster mother, a wet-nursing draft horse, who would neglect or even chase him away while he was a foal.		* Special Week was known to be friendly towards humans, but indifferent towards other horses, preferring to be alone rather than mingling with others. Though he seemed to get along with other horses, should he wanted to socialize. This indifference stemmed from the mistreatment by his foster mother, a wet-nursing draft horse, who would neglect or even chase him away while he was a foal.
	* Because of his foster mother's mistreatment. Special Week had to directly be taken care of by the farm's staff, one of them was Tina Price - a New Zealander groom who took care of Special Week's mother before her death, and later on took care of Special Week. This contributed to his friendliness towards humans and indifference to other horses.		* Because of his foster mother's mistreatment. Special Week had to directly be taken care of by the farm's staff, one of them was Tina Price - a New Zealander groom who took care of Special Week's mother before her death, and later on took care of Special Week. This contributed to his friendliness towards humans and indifference to other horses.
	**Since Special Week easily understood everything what Tina teaches, she liked him and took care of him more than any other foals. The representative of Hidaka Taiyo Farm - Onoda warned her many times, but she never changed her attitude. In May 1997, Special Week was moved to Northern Farm Airport Branch, the process was not a happy one as Special Week had to be forcibly taken away from a crying Tina, who would not let him go.<ref>https://books.netkeiba.com/?pid=book_detail&bid=46&cid=2</ref>		** Since Special Week easily understood everything what Tina teaches, she liked him and took care of him more than any other foals. The representative of Hidaka Taiyo Farm - Onoda warned her many times, but she never changed her attitude. In May 1997, Special Week was moved to Northern Farm Airport Branch, the process was not a happy one as Special Week had to be forcibly taken away from a crying Tina, who would not let him go.<ref>https://books.netkeiba.com/?pid=book_detail&bid=46&cid=2</ref>
	* There were claims that he disliked reddish-chestnut horses. With one of the most notable episodes being an event in July 19th, 2014, where Special Week and Grass Wonder met each other again nearly 15 years after their retirement. Special Week became agitated upon seeing Grass Wonder.<ref>https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm24041036</ref> However, back during their racing careers, the contrary was seen as Special Week and Grass Wonder was seen to get along<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utJQjqwwRcE&t=1379s</ref>, during their times in the training center and especially after the Japanese Derby, as Special Week was able to walk with Grass Wonder without aggression. The claim that Special Week disliked reddish-chestnut horses could be an exaggeration stemmed from the reunion event.		* There were claims that he disliked reddish-chestnut horses. With one of the most notable episodes being an event in July 19th, 2014, where Special Week and Grass Wonder met each other again nearly 15 years after their retirement. Special Week became agitated upon seeing Grass Wonder.<ref>https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm24041036</ref> However, back during their racing careers, the contrary was seen as Special Week and Grass Wonder was seen to get along<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utJQjqwwRcE&t=1379s</ref>, during their times in the training center and especially after the Japanese Derby, as Special Week was able to walk with Grass Wonder without aggression. The claim that Special Week disliked reddish-chestnut horses could be an exaggeration stemmed from the reunion event.
	** Claims that he hated reddish-chestnuts might also be a trait he gained after his racing career, most likely to have stemmed from during his days while he stood stud, as he often got into fights with his neighbor [[IRL:Durandal\|Durandal]], who was a reddish-chestnut horse.<ref>https://uma-furusato.com/column/60886.html</ref>		** Claims that he hated reddish-chestnuts might also be a trait he gained after his racing career, most likely to have stemmed from during his days while he stood stud, as he often got into fights with his neighbor [[IRL:Durandal\|Durandal]], who was a reddish-chestnut horse.<ref>https://uma-furusato.com/column/60886.html</ref>
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	* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.		* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.
	** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.		** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.

	== Notes ==		== Notes ==
	<references group="Note" />		<references group="Note" />

YesterdayBearsLuck: →Relatives

2026-02-22T18:20:27Z

→Relatives

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:20, 22 February 2026
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	* [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]] - Daughter		* [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]] - Daughter
	** [[IRL:~~Daring Tact~~\|~~Daring Tact~~]] - ~~Great-granddaughter~~		** [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] - Grandson

	== Race Records ==		== Race Records ==

Honodera: /* Trivia */ stop adding claims that Special Week enjoyed mating with Mejiro Dober and the likes without a proper source

2026-02-06T08:39:17Z

Trivia: stop adding claims that Special Week enjoyed mating with Mejiro Dober and the likes without a proper source

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 6 February 2026
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	* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>		* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>
	** Apparently, Special Week also tended to fake his mating sessions to get it over with.		** Apparently, Special Week also tended to fake his mating sessions to get it over with.
	*** While he hated mating, there are some cases where Special Week is fond of several mares such as [[IRL:Mejiro Dober\|Mejiro Dober]], Kirov Premiere and Biwa Heidi.
	* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.		* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.
	** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.		** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.

Honodera at 05:09, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T05:09:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:09, 6 February 2026
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	== Racing career ==		== Racing career ==
	=== Before debut ===		=== Before debut ===
	Shortly after Special Week was born, his dam Campaign Girl suffered from a serious bout of colic and passed away just five days after his birth. At an early age, he would be raised by a Ban'ei mare and cared for and trained by a New Zealand woman named Tina Price at Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo.<ref name="one">Kimura Shunta, Special Week: Proof of the Strongest Horse, The Masada, 2000 </ref> During this time, Tina gave Special Week great care, and he became her favorite colt at the ranch. Tina convinced the manager of the ranch, Hiroshi Onoda, that Special Week had great potential, and quickly became one of the best hopes for the farm.<ref name="one"> </ref> Tina would continue to care for Special Week until being moved to a training farm in Hokkaido in May 1996.<ref name="one"> </ref>		Shortly after Special Week was born, his dam Campaign Girl suffered from a serious bout of colic and passed away just five days after his birth. At an early age, he would be raised by a Ban'ei<ref group="Note">ばんえい競走 (''ban'ei kyoso''), a type of horse racing that requires a draft horse to pull heavy sleds up sand ramps, urged-on by jockeys that are balancing on the sleds. Unlike normal horse racing, the horses are either purebred or crosses of Percheron, Breton or Belgian breeds instead of thoroughbreds.</ref> mare and cared for and trained by a New Zealand woman named Tina Price at Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo.<ref name="one">Kimura Shunta, Special Week: Proof of the Strongest Horse, The Masada, 2000 </ref> During this time, Tina gave Special Week great care, and he became her favorite colt at the ranch. Tina convinced the manager of the ranch, Hiroshi Onoda, that Special Week had great potential, and quickly became one of the best hopes for the farm.<ref name="one"> </ref> Tina would continue to care for Special Week until being moved to a training farm in Hokkaido in May 1996.<ref name="one"> </ref>

	=== 2 year old season (1997) ===		=== 2 year old season (1997) ===
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	* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.		* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.
	** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.		** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.
			== Notes ==
	<references group="Note" />		<references group="Note" />

Manikin at 20:11, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T20:11:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 5 February 2026
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	* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>		* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>
	** Apparently, Special Week also tended to fake his mating sessions to get it over with.		** Apparently, Special Week also tended to fake his mating sessions to get it over with.
			*** While he hated mating, there are some cases where Special Week is fond of several mares such as [[IRL:Mejiro Dober\|Mejiro Dober]], Kirov Premiere and Biwa Heidi.
	* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.		* Special Week and [[IRL:Silence Suzuka\|Silence Suzuka]] never raced against nor met with each other in real life, despite the portrayal in the anime.
	** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.		** This may come from the fact that both horses were ridden by the same jockey, Yutaka Take, and share the same father, Sunday Silence. These reasons also may influence why they are roommates.

Honodera: /* Trivia */

2026-02-05T02:07:05Z

Trivia

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:07, 5 February 2026
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	* Because of his foster mother's mistreatment. Special Week had to directly be taken care of by the farm's staff, one of them was Tina Price - a New Zealander groom who took care of Special Week's mother before her death, and later on took care of Special Week. This contributed to his friendliness towards humans and indifference to other horses.		* Because of his foster mother's mistreatment. Special Week had to directly be taken care of by the farm's staff, one of them was Tina Price - a New Zealander groom who took care of Special Week's mother before her death, and later on took care of Special Week. This contributed to his friendliness towards humans and indifference to other horses.
	**Since Special Week easily understood everything what Tina teaches, she liked him and took care of him more than any other foals. The representative of Hidaka Taiyo Farm - Onoda warned her many times, but she never changed her attitude. In May 1997, Special Week was moved to Northern Farm Airport Branch, the process was not a happy one as Special Week had to be forcibly taken away from a crying Tina, who would not let him go.<ref>https://books.netkeiba.com/?pid=book_detail&bid=46&cid=2</ref>		**Since Special Week easily understood everything what Tina teaches, she liked him and took care of him more than any other foals. The representative of Hidaka Taiyo Farm - Onoda warned her many times, but she never changed her attitude. In May 1997, Special Week was moved to Northern Farm Airport Branch, the process was not a happy one as Special Week had to be forcibly taken away from a crying Tina, who would not let him go.<ref>https://books.netkeiba.com/?pid=book_detail&bid=46&cid=2</ref>
	* There were claims that he disliked reddish-chestnut horses. With one of the most notable episodes being an event in July 19th, 2014, where Special Week and Grass Wonder met each other again nearly 15 years after their retirement. Special Week became agitated upon seeing Grass Wonder.<ref>https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm24041036</ref> However, back during their racing careers, the contrary was seen as Special Week and Grass Wonder was seen to get along<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utJQjqwwRcE&t=1379s</ref>, during their times in the training center and especially after the Japanese Derby, as Special Week was able to walk with Grass Wonder without aggression. The claim that Special Week disliked reddish-chestnut horses could ~~either~~ be an exaggeration stemmed from the reunion event.		* There were claims that he disliked reddish-chestnut horses. With one of the most notable episodes being an event in July 19th, 2014, where Special Week and Grass Wonder met each other again nearly 15 years after their retirement. Special Week became agitated upon seeing Grass Wonder.<ref>https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm24041036</ref> However, back during their racing careers, the contrary was seen as Special Week and Grass Wonder was seen to get along<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utJQjqwwRcE&t=1379s</ref>, during their times in the training center and especially after the Japanese Derby, as Special Week was able to walk with Grass Wonder without aggression. The claim that Special Week disliked reddish-chestnut horses could be an exaggeration stemmed from the reunion event.
	** Claims that he hated reddish-chestnuts might also be a trait he gained after his racing career, most likely to have stemmed from during his days while he stood stud, as he often got into fights with his neighbor [[IRL:Durandal\|Durandal]], who was a reddish-chestnut horse.<ref>https://uma-furusato.com/column/60886.html</ref>		** Claims that he hated reddish-chestnuts might also be a trait he gained after his racing career, most likely to have stemmed from during his days while he stood stud, as he often got into fights with his neighbor [[IRL:Durandal\|Durandal]], who was a reddish-chestnut horse.<ref>https://uma-furusato.com/column/60886.html</ref>
	* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>		* Special Week has little interest in mating, and most of the time would be rough to the mares he bred with, including biting them hard in the neck area. This caused staff members to put protection pads around the necks of mares Special Week was mating with. Because of his lack of interest in mating, a second mating session is sometimes required.<ref>https://tkgmaki.seesaa.net/article/200905article_8.html</ref> The staff members would cheer for Special Week whenever he wasn't willing to mate.<ref>https://roots-factory.com/blog/tokuhain/21770.html</ref>

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 25 May 2026
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	With pride, continue to walk the royal road.		With pride, continue to walk the royal road.
	\|ref= JRA Portraits of the Bucephalus <ref>[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E5%88%97%E4%BC%9D JRA - Hero Biography - wikipedia] </ref>}}		\|ref= JRA Portraits of the Bucephalus <ref>[https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%92%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E5%88%97%E4%BC%9D JRA - Hero Biography - wikipedia] </ref>}}
	'''Special Week''' was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1997 to 1999. He was known by fans as the "Supreme Commander of Japan" after beating a strong international field in the 1999 Japan Cup and ~~would~~ later on ~~become~~ a prolific and broodmare sire, with his bloodline still in many Japanese horses today.		'''Special Week''' was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1997 to 1999. He was known by fans as the "Supreme Commander of Japan" (日本総大将 ''Nippon Soudaishou'') after beating a strong international field in the 1999 Japan Cup and later on became a prolific and broodmare sire, with his bloodline still in many Japanese horses today.

	== Name Origin ==		== Name Origin ==
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	== Racing career ==		== Racing career ==
	=== Before debut ===		=== Before debut ===
	Shortly after Special Week was born, his dam Campaign Girl suffered from a serious bout of colic and passed away just five days after his birth. At an early age, he would be raised by a Ban'ei<ref group="Note">ばんえい競走 (''ban'ei kyoso''), a type of horse racing that requires a draft horse to pull heavy sleds up sand ramps, urged-on by jockeys that are balancing on the sleds. Unlike normal horse racing, the horses are either purebred or crosses of Percheron, Breton or Belgian breeds instead of thoroughbreds.</ref> mare and cared for and trained by a New Zealand woman named Tina Price at Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo.<ref name="one">Kimura Shunta, Special Week: Proof of the Strongest Horse, The Masada, 2000 </ref> During this time, Tina gave Special Week great care, and he became her favorite colt at the ranch. Tina convinced the manager of the ranch, Hiroshi Onoda, that Special Week had great potential, and quickly became one of the best hopes for the farm.<ref name="one"> </ref> Tina ~~would continue~~ to care for Special Week until being moved to a training farm in Hokkaido in May 1996.<ref name="one"> </ref>		Shortly after Special Week was born, his dam Campaign Girl suffered from a serious bout of colic and passed away just five days after his birth. At an early age, he would be raised by a Ban'ei<ref group="Note">ばんえい競走 (''ban'ei kyoso''), a type of horse racing that requires a draft horse to pull heavy sleds up sand ramps, urged-on by jockeys that are balancing on the sleds. Unlike normal horse racing, the horses are either purebred or crosses of Percheron, Breton or Belgian breeds instead of thoroughbreds.</ref> mare and cared for and trained by a New Zealand woman named Tina Price at Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo.<ref name="one">Kimura Shunta, Special Week: Proof of the Strongest Horse, The Masada, 2000 </ref> During this time, Tina gave Special Week great care, and he became her favorite colt at the ranch. Tina convinced the manager of the ranch, Hiroshi Onoda, that Special Week had great potential, and quickly became one of the best hopes for the farm.<ref name="one"> </ref> Tina continued to care for Special Week until being moved to a training farm in Hokkaido in May 1996.<ref name="one"> </ref>

	=== 2 year old season (1997) ===		=== 2 year old season (1997) ===
	Special Week ~~would debut~~ on November 29th, at Hanshin Racecourse, winning his debut by 2 lengths. His jockey, Yutaka Take was impressed with his performance: "He ran the race just as I hoped while in training. He's a strong horse."<ref name="one"> </ref> It ~~would~~ set up a relationship with the Japanese jockey for next year's prep and Classic races.		Special Week debuted on November 29th, at Hanshin Racecourse, winning his debut by 2 lengths. His jockey, Yutaka Take was impressed with his performance: "He ran the race just as I hoped while in training. He's a strong horse."<ref name="one"> </ref> It set up a relationship with the Japanese jockey for next year's prep and Classic races.

	=== 3 year old season (1998) ===		=== 3 year old season (1998) ===
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	== Breeding career ==		== Breeding career ==
	After his retirement, Special Week ~~would be~~ moved to Shadai Stallion Station to begin his stallion career. While his first crop of foals yielded little success, his second crop ~~would produce~~ [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]], winner of the 2005 Japanese Oaks and American Oaks at ~~Santa Anita~~, becoming the first domestically bred Japanese horse to win an international ~~Grade 1~~ race. He ~~would go on~~ to produce several more G1 winners including:		After his retirement, Special Week was moved to Shadai Stallion Station to begin his stallion career. While his first crop of foals yielded little success, his second crop produced [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]], winner of the 2005 Japanese Oaks and American Oaks at Hollywood Park, becoming the first domestically bred Japanese horse to win an international G1 race. He wenton to produce several more G1 winners including:
	* [[IRL:Buena Vista\|Buena Vista]] (2008 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, 2009 Oka Sho, 2009 Japanese Oaks, 2010 Tenno Sho Autumn, 2011 Japan Cup)		* [[IRL:Buena Vista\|Buena Vista]] (2008 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, 2009 Oka Sho, 2009 Japanese Oaks, 2010 Victoria Mile, 2010 Tenno Sho Autumn, 2011 Japan Cup)
	* Gold Blitz (2012 Teio Sho)		* Gold Blitz (2012 Teio Sho)
	* Roman Legend (2012 Tokyo Daishoten)		* Roman Legend (2012 Tokyo Daishoten)
	* Toho Jackal (2014 Kikuka Sho)		* Toho Jackal (2014 Kikuka Sho)

	While he had success as a sire, he ~~would become~~ an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:		While he had success as a sire, he became an even more prolific damsire. His damsire progeny include:
	* [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)		* [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] (2013 Kikuka Sho, 2014 Japan Cup)
	* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)		* Clarity Sky (2015 NHK Mile Cup)
	* Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi FS)		* Leon D'Or (2015 Asahi Futurity Stakes)
	* Deirdre (2017 Shuka Sho, 2019 Nassau Stakes)		* Deirdre (2017 Shuka Sho, 2019 Nassau Stakes)
	* Saturnalia (2018 Hopeful Stakes, 2019 Satsuki Sho)		* Saturnalia (2018 Hopeful Stakes, 2019 Satsuki Sho)
	* Jun Light Bolt (2022 Champions Cup)		* Jun Light Bolt (2022 Champions' Cup)
	* Tagano Beauty (2024 JBC Sprint)		* Tagano Beauty (2024 JBC Sprint)

	On February 3 2017, Special Week retired from his stud career and was moved back to his birthplace, Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo and stayed there for the rest of his days. On April 27 2018, the staff at the ranch found Special Week had fell in his stall, and was soon confirmed dead by the farm due to injuries he had sustained. He was 23 years old.		On February 3rd 2017, Special Week retired from his stud career and was moved back to his birthplace, Hidaki Taiyo Bokujo and stayed there for the rest of his days. On April 27th 2018, the staff at the ranch found Special Week had fell in his stall, and was soon confirmed dead by the farm due to injuries he had sustained. He was 23 years old.

	== Honors ==		== Honors ==
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	=== Relatives ===		=== Relatives ===
	* [[IRL:Sunday Silence\|Sunday Silence]] - Father		* [[IRL:Sunday Silence\|Sunday Silence]] - Father

	* [[IRL:Maruzensky\|Maruzensky]] - Maternal Grandfather		* [[IRL:Maruzensky\|Maruzensky]] - Maternal Grandfather

	* [[IRL:Buena Vista\|Buena Vista]] - Daughter		* [[IRL:Buena Vista\|Buena Vista]] - Daughter

	* [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]] - Daughter		* [[IRL:Cesario\|Cesario]] - Daughter
	** [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] - Grandson		** [[IRL:Epiphaneia\|Epiphaneia]] - Grandson