IRL:T.M. Opera O - Revision history

Suirob2005: /* Racing career */

2026-06-04T16:27:03Z

Racing career

Suirob2005 at 16:10, 4 June 2026

2026-06-04T16:10:31Z

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	He was also the first horse to achieve the Senior Autumn Triple Crown<ref group="Note">秋古馬三冠 ''(Aki Koba Sankan)''. An unofficial term referring to the Autumn Tenno Sho, Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.</ref> in a single year. So far, the only horses to perform this feat are T.M. Opera O and [[IRL:Zenno Rob Roy\|Zenno Rob Roy]].		He was also the first horse to achieve the Senior Autumn Triple Crown<ref group="Note">秋古馬三冠 ''(Aki Koba Sankan)''. An unofficial term referring to the Autumn Tenno Sho, Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.</ref> in a single year. So far, the only horses to perform this feat are T.M. Opera O and [[IRL:Zenno Rob Roy\|Zenno Rob Roy]].
	~~[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->~~

	== Name Origin ==		== Name Origin ==

K-taku at 10:49, 24 May 2026

2026-05-24T10:49:18Z

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	\| races = Satsuki Sho (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (2000, 2001)<br>Takarazuka Kinen (2000)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000)<br>Japan Cup (2000)<br>Arima Kinen (2000)\|float: right; margin: 10px;		\| races = Satsuki Sho (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (2000, 2001)<br>Takarazuka Kinen (2000)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000)<br>Japan Cup (2000)<br>Arima Kinen (2000)\|float: right; margin: 10px;
	}}		}}
	{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded. The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run? People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}		{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded.<br> The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run?<br> People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}
	'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2001. In the 1999 Classic Triple Crown campaign, he formed the 'Big Three' alongside [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]] and [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]], winning the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho.		'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2001. In the 1999 Classic Triple Crown campaign, he formed the 'Big Three' alongside [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]] and [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]], winning the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho.

Honodera at 06:11, 13 May 2026

2026-05-13T06:11:44Z

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	In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.		In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

	He was also the first horse to achieve the Senior Autumn Triple Crown in a single year. So far, the only horses to perform this feat are T.M. Opera O and [[IRL:Zenno Rob Roy\|Zenno Rob Roy]].		He was also the first horse to achieve the Senior Autumn Triple Crown<ref group="Note">秋古馬三冠 ''(Aki Koba Sankan)''. An unofficial term referring to the Autumn Tenno Sho, Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen.</ref> in a single year. So far, the only horses to perform this feat are T.M. Opera O and [[IRL:Zenno Rob Roy\|Zenno Rob Roy]].
	[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->		[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->

Honodera at 06:04, 13 May 2026

2026-05-13T06:04:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:04, 13 May 2026
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	In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.		In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.

			He was also the first horse to achieve the Senior Autumn Triple Crown in a single year. So far, the only horses to perform this feat are T.M. Opera O and [[IRL:Zenno Rob Roy\|Zenno Rob Roy]].
	[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->		[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->

QneThe at 11:38, 4 April 2026

2026-04-04T11:38:26Z

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	{{IRL Spoilers}}		{{IRL Spoilers}}
	{{Infobox Real Life		{{Infobox Real Life
	\|irl_name={{PAGENAME}}		\| irl_name = {{PAGENAME}}
	\|name_jp=テイエムオペラオー		\| name_jp = テイエムオペラオー
	\|caption=T.M. Opera O at the 2000 Tenno Sho (Spring)		\| caption = T.M. Opera O at the 2000 Tenno Sho (Spring)
	\|name_ro= Tei Emu Opera Ō		\| name_ro = Tei Emu Opera Ō
	\|dob=1996-03-13		\| dob = 1996-03-13
	\|dod=2018-05-17		\| dod = 2018-05-17
	\|sire=Opera House		\| sire = Opera House
	\|dam=Once Wed		\| dam = Once Wed
	\|sex=Stallion		\| sex = Stallion
	\|color=Chestnut		\| color = Chestnut
	\|trainer=Ichizo Iwamoto		\| trainer = Ichizo Iwamoto
	\|record= 26: 14-6-3		\| record = 26: 14-6-3
	\|earnings=1,835,180,000 JPY		\| earnings = 1,835,180,000 JPY
	\|image_main= TM Opera O IRL.jpg		\| image_main = TM Opera O IRL.jpg
	\|image_silk=TMsilks.png		\| image_silk = TMsilks.png
	\|races=Satsuki Sho (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (2000, 2001)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000)<br>Japan Cup (2000)<br>Arima Kinen (2000)		\| races = Satsuki Sho (1999)<br>Tenno Sho (Spring) (2000, 2001)<br>Takarazuka Kinen (2000)<br>Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000)<br>Japan Cup (2000)<br>Arima Kinen (2000)\|float: right; margin: 10px;
	\|float: right; margin: 10px;
	}}		}}
	{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded. The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run? People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}		{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded. The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run? People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}

QneThe: quote fix

2026-04-01T22:19:06Z

quote fix

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	T.M. Opera O would challenge the Hanshin Daishoten next, alongside Rascal Suzuka, who had secured third place in the Kikuka Sho, and Narita Top Road. As the race entered the final stretch, T.M. Opera O decisively pulled ahead of both horses, claiming victory by two lengths over Rascal Suzuka. Throughout the race, he maintained a position ahead of his main rivals and unleashed the quickest finishing sprint of all participants in the closing stretch to clutch the victory.		T.M. Opera O would challenge the Hanshin Daishoten next, alongside Rascal Suzuka, who had secured third place in the Kikuka Sho, and Narita Top Road. As the race entered the final stretch, T.M. Opera O decisively pulled ahead of both horses, claiming victory by two lengths over Rascal Suzuka. Throughout the race, he maintained a position ahead of his main rivals and unleashed the quickest finishing sprint of all participants in the closing stretch to clutch the victory.

	<blockquote style="font-style: italic; border-left: 5px solid #F271C4; 1em;color: #FBE415; float: right; margin-right: 5em; width: 25%; font-size: 1.3em;">		<blockquote style="font-style: italic; border-left: 5px solid #F271C4; 1em;color: #FBE415; float: right; margin-right: 5em; width: 25%; font-size: 1.3em;">
	“Hooray, Wada! The summit of the Top Three is me! What he is singing is the Shield song! T.M. Opera O!”		“Hooray, Wada! The summit of the Top Three is me! What he is singing is the Shield song! T.M. Opera O!” <br>
	- 2000 Tenno Sho Spring~~, by Kiyoshi Sugimoto (Kansai TV~~)		- Kiyoshi Sugimoto, Kansai TV commentary in the 2000 Tenno Sho (Spring)
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	Next, T.M. Opera O would enter the Tenno Sho (Spring), which had been his major spring target. He would once again face Rascal Suzuka and Narita Top Road. T.M. Opera O positioned himself in the middle of the pack, with Narita Top Road ahead and Rascal Suzuka trailing behind. Approaching the third corner, he advanced to catch Narita Top Road and then broke away, maintaining a lead to finish three-quarters of a length ahead of Rascal Suzuka. His finishing time of 3 minutes and 17.6 seconds was the fourth fastest in history at that time, with his final 200 meters completed in 11.9 seconds—the quickest ever recorded up to that point. The racing publication "Weekly Gallop" remarked that ''“T.M. Opera O showcased his genuine talent by conquering this demanding test of speed.”''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvqfUDdxOlA]</ref><ref>『臨時増刊号 Gallop2000』pp.54-57</ref>		Next, T.M. Opera O would enter the Tenno Sho (Spring), which had been his major spring target. He would once again face Rascal Suzuka and Narita Top Road. T.M. Opera O positioned himself in the middle of the pack, with Narita Top Road ahead and Rascal Suzuka trailing behind. Approaching the third corner, he advanced to catch Narita Top Road and then broke away, maintaining a lead to finish three-quarters of a length ahead of Rascal Suzuka. His finishing time of 3 minutes and 17.6 seconds was the fourth fastest in history at that time, with his final 200 meters completed in 11.9 seconds—the quickest ever recorded up to that point. The racing publication "Weekly Gallop" remarked that ''“T.M. Opera O showcased his genuine talent by conquering this demanding test of speed.”''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvqfUDdxOlA]</ref><ref>『臨時増刊号 Gallop2000』pp.54-57</ref>

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	- Frankie Dettori, jockey of Fantastic Light in the race		- Frankie Dettori, jockey of Fantastic Light in the race
	</blockquote>		</blockquote>

	This victory pushed TM Opera O's career earnings past ¥1.2 billion, surpassing the previous record holder Special Week to become the "World's Highest-Earning Horse". T.M. Opera O's performance in this race got him high international acclaim, receiving a Racing Post Rating of 126.<ref>https://www.racingpost.com/results/315/tokyo/2000-11-26/294328</ref>		This victory pushed TM Opera O's career earnings past ¥1.2 billion, surpassing the previous record holder Special Week to become the "World's Highest-Earning Horse". T.M. Opera O's performance in this race got him high international acclaim, receiving a Racing Post Rating of 126.<ref>https://www.racingpost.com/results/315/tokyo/2000-11-26/294328</ref>

DragonOfAtlantis at 16:36, 7 March 2026

2026-03-07T16:36:12Z

QneThe: Corrections, added sectioning to improve readability

2026-03-07T14:06:42Z

Corrections, added sectioning to improve readability

Show changes

Lovesonlyme at 20:08, 1 February 2026

2026-02-01T20:08:30Z

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	}}		}}
	{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded. The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run? People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}		{{IRL_Horse_Quote\|header=Let's Dream\|text=2000, Arima Kinen.<br>If you keep winning, all other horses become your rivals.<br>That horse was completely surrounded. The path to victory should have disappeared.<br>T.M Opera O...what drove you to run? People see dreams because of your battle. <br> Then, let's dream.\|ref=JRA The LEGEND CM<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lldQbxSY00s</ref>}}
	'''{{PAGENAME}}''' ~~(Japanese: '''テイエムオペラオー''', March 13, 1996 - May 17, 2018)~~ was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2001. In the 1999 Classic Triple Crown campaign, he formed the 'Big Three' alongside [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]] and [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]], winning the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho. In 2000, he dominated the season as the undisputed top horse, winning all eight races he contested, including the Takarazuka Kinen, Tenno Sho Sweep (Winning both Spring and Autumn races), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen. He achieved the record for most Grade I wins in a single year with five victories, earning unanimous selection as Horse of the Year and Outstanding Older Horse. In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was ~~selected as a~~ Japan Racing Association ~~Honoured Horse~~ in 2004.		'''{{PAGENAME}}''' was a Japanese racehorse that was active from 1998 to 2001. In the 1999 Classic Triple Crown campaign, he formed the 'Big Three' alongside [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]] and [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]], winning the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Satsuki Sho.

			In 2000, he dominated the season as the undisputed top horse, winning all eight races he contested, including the Takarazuka Kinen, Tenno Sho Sweep (Winning both Spring and Autumn races), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen. He achieved the record for most Grade I wins in a single year with five victories, earning unanimous selection as Horse of the Year and Outstanding Older Horse.

			In 2001, he defended his Spring Tenno Sho title, tying the then-record for most Grade I victories at seven. Active at the close of the 20th century, he was dubbed the "The Overlord of Century's End". He was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame in 2004.
	[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->		[[Category:Incomplete Horse Page]] <!--Remove this when all information is filled out!-->

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:36, 7 March 2026
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	== Name Origin ==		== Name Origin ==
	T.M. ~~comes from~~ his owner, Masatsugu Takezono. Opera comes from his father, Opera House. O means king in Japanese.		T.M. is the crown name of his owner, Masatsugu Takezono. Opera comes from his father, Opera House. O means king in Japanese.

	== Racing career ==		== Racing career ==
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	==== The Satsuki Sho ====		==== The Satsuki Sho ====
	T.M. Opera O's owner, Masatsugu Takezono, would pay the fee to register him into the classics under the "Oguri Cap System". He chose to believe in ~~T.M.~~'s potential after much persuasion from his trainer, Ichizo Iwamoto, who also agreed to pay half of the hefty 2 million Yen fee. The original plan was to train ~~T.M.~~ to compete in the Derby; this would mean missing the Satsuki Sho. However, a few days after the Mainichi Hai, Tsutomu Setoguchi, the trainer of [[IRL:Oguri Cap\|Oguri Cap]], phoned T.M. Opera O's ranch and relayed a message that they should take advantage of the "Oguri Cap System" and enter ~~T.M.~~, as he remarked that "there hasn't been a horse that won the Mainichi Hai that dominantly."<ref>木村（2002）pp.82-86</ref>This helped convince Takezono to enter ~~T.M.~~ into the Satsuki Sho.		T.M. Opera O's owner, Masatsugu Takezono, would pay the fee to register him into the classics under the "Oguri Cap System". He chose to believe in Opera O's potential after much persuasion from his trainer, Ichizo Iwamoto, who also agreed to pay half of the hefty 2 million Yen fee. The original plan was to train Opera O to compete in the Derby; this would mean missing the Satsuki Sho. However, a few days after the Mainichi Hai, Tsutomu Setoguchi, the trainer of [[IRL:Oguri Cap\|Oguri Cap]], phoned T.M. Opera O's ranch and relayed a message that they should take advantage of the "Oguri Cap System" and enter Opera O, as he remarked that "there hasn't been a horse that won the Mainichi Hai that dominantly."<ref>木村（2002）pp.82-86</ref>This helped convince Takezono to enter Opera O into the Satsuki Sho.

	And from there, on the rainy day of 18th of April 1999, T.M. Opera O would race against the day's favorite, [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]], as well as the second favorite of the race, [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]]. T.M. Opera O, seen as lacking in experience against top-class competition, went off as the fifth favorite. At the start, Narita Top Road settled in mid-pack, Admire Vega at the rear, and T.M. Opera O even further behind. By the third corner, as the front-runners began to be challenged, T.M. Opera O was still lagging behind. Takezono remembered exclaiming, ''"Ah, it's no good... We've lost."''<ref>木村（2002）pp.95-102</ref> However, in the final 100 meters of the straight, T.M. Opera O unleashed a powerful late surge, overtaking the leader at the very last moment to win by a neck, a photo finish against Osumi Bright, winning his first GI victory. Narita Top Road finished third, with Admire Vega ending up in sixth. This also marked a major victory for T.M. Opera O's jockey, Ryuji Wada, as this would make him the youngest jockey to win the Satsuki Sho. Moreover, this would also mark T.M. Opera O as the first late-registered horse under the "Oguri Cap system" to seize a win at the Classics. Wada remarked after the race'', “I trusted the 'closing kick' he showed in the Mainichi Hai and took my time, betting everything on a stretch run—that turned out to be the right choice. During the race, I just focused on not drifting wide and planned to gradually move forwards, so it went almost exactly as I imagined.”'' Iwamoto praised T.M. Opera O as well, saying, ''“At the finish it looked like he wouldn’t make it, but he really ran well.”''<ref>『優駿』1999年6月号、pp.138-139</ref>		And from there, on the rainy day of 18th of April 1999, T.M. Opera O would race against the day's favorite, [[IRL:Admire Vega\|Admire Vega]], as well as the second favorite of the race, [[IRL:Narita Top Road\|Narita Top Road]]. T.M. Opera O, seen as lacking in experience against top-class competition, went off as the fifth favorite. At the start, Narita Top Road settled in mid-pack, Admire Vega at the rear, and T.M. Opera O even further behind. By the third corner, as the front-runners began to be challenged, T.M. Opera O was still lagging behind. Takezono remembered exclaiming, ''"Ah, it's no good... We've lost."''<ref>木村（2002）pp.95-102</ref> However, in the final 100 meters of the straight, T.M. Opera O unleashed a powerful late surge, overtaking the leader at the very last moment to win by a neck, a photo finish against Osumi Bright, winning his first GI victory. Narita Top Road finished third, with Admire Vega ending up in sixth. This also marked a major victory for T.M. Opera O's jockey, Ryuji Wada, as this would make him the youngest jockey to win the Satsuki Sho. Moreover, this would also mark T.M. Opera O as the first late-registered horse under the "Oguri Cap system" to seize a win at the Classics. Wada remarked after the race'', “I trusted the 'closing kick' he showed in the Mainichi Hai and took my time, betting everything on a stretch run—that turned out to be the right choice. During the race, I just focused on not drifting wide and planned to gradually move forwards, so it went almost exactly as I imagined.”'' Iwamoto praised T.M. Opera O as well, saying, ''“At the finish it looked like he wouldn’t make it, but he really ran well.”''<ref>『優駿』1999年6月号、pp.138-139</ref>
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	After this, Iwamoto considered giving the horse the rest of the year off, but this time Takezono wanted to run in the Arima Kinen. Feeling indebted to Takezono for having granted his requests since the Kikuka Sho, Iwamoto accepted this, and T.M. Opera O thus prepared to contest the race. <ref>木村（2002）pp.130-132</ref>		After this, Iwamoto considered giving the horse the rest of the year off, but this time Takezono wanted to run in the Arima Kinen. Feeling indebted to Takezono for having granted his requests since the Kikuka Sho, Iwamoto accepted this, and T.M. Opera O thus prepared to contest the race. <ref>木村（2002）pp.130-132</ref>

	On race day, [[Grass Wonder]], with three GI victories, was the favorite, while Special Week, having recovered from the Kyoto Daishoten and won both the Autumn Tenno Sho and Japan Cup consecutively, was the second favorite. This race was framed as a clash between these two "big rivals". Narita Top Road was the fourth favorite at 6.8 to 1 odds, while TM Opera O was the fifth, favored at 12 to 1 odds.		On race day, [[IRL:Grass Wonder\|Grass Wonder]], with three GI victories, was the favorite, while Special Week, having recovered from the Kyoto Daishoten and won both the Autumn Tenno Sho and Japan Cup consecutively, was the second favorite. This race was framed as a clash between these two "big rivals". Narita Top Road was the fourth favorite at 6.8 to 1 odds, while TM Opera O was the fifth, favored at 12 to 1 odds.

	When the race commenced, the late-running Going Suzuka unexpectedly took the lead, setting an extremely slow pace of 65.2 seconds for the first 1000 metres. T.M. Opera O settled in fifth position in the front, while the other contenders all positioned themselves mid-pack or farther back.		When the race commenced, the late-running Going Suzuka unexpectedly took the lead, setting an extremely slow pace of 65.2 seconds for the first 1000 metres. T.M. Opera O settled in fifth position in the front, while the other contenders all positioned themselves mid-pack or farther back.
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	=== The Undefeated Season (4 year old season, 2000) ===		=== The Undefeated Season (4 year old season, 2000) ===
	T.M. Opera O’s 2000 season is legendary in Japanese horse racing history, marked by an undefeated run through all eight of his races and an unprecedented sweep of major Grade I titles, cementing himself as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds in Japanese turf history. At the JRA Awards ceremony in January 2000, T.M. Opera O’s owner, Takezono, spoke to his team gathered around the table, rallying them with the words, ''“Since we've received such an award, we can’t afford to lose even once this year. We won’t enter him in any race he might lose. This year, we’re going to win them all.”'' <ref>木村（2002）pp.138-142</ref>His victories included five domestic Grade I wins: the Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn), Takarazuka Kinen, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen, plus major victories in the Hanshin Daishoten, Kyoto Daishoten and Kyoto Kinen. He also became the first horse to win five Grade I races in a single year. His campaign was remarkable for consistently besting his peers like [[IRL:Meisho Doto\|Meisho Doto]] and ~~[[IRL:~~Narita Top Road~~\|Narita Top Road]]~~, and for dramatic finishes, squeezing through narrow gaps in the stretch to come out on top against all odds. At the year’s end, T.M. Opera O was unanimously selected as Horse of the Year. This selection marked only the third time in history this has happened, following Ten Point (1977) and [[IRL:Symboli Rudolf\|Symboli Rudolf]] (1985). Additionally, his trainer, Ichizo Iwamoto, secured the title of trainer with the highest annual earnings, setting a record of ¥1,508,378,000. <ref>https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2000/12/25/more-sports/t-m-opera-caps-record-year-with-arima-victory/#:~:text=Claiming%20both%20Emperor's%20Cups%2C%20the%20Takarazuka%20Memorial</ref><ref>https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000302080/record/		T.M. Opera O’s 2000 season is legendary in Japanese horse racing history, marked by an undefeated run through all eight of his races and an unprecedented sweep of major Grade I titles, cementing himself as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds in Japanese turf history. At the JRA Awards ceremony in January 2000, T.M. Opera O’s owner, Takezono, spoke to his team gathered around the table, rallying them with the words, ''“Since we've received such an award, we can’t afford to lose even once this year. We won’t enter him in any race he might lose. This year, we’re going to win them all.”'' <ref>木村（2002）pp.138-142</ref>His victories included five domestic Grade I wins: the Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn), Takarazuka Kinen, the Japan Cup, and the Arima Kinen, plus major victories in the Hanshin Daishoten, Kyoto Daishoten and Kyoto Kinen. He also became the first horse to win five Grade I races in a single year. His campaign was remarkable for consistently besting his peers like [[IRL:Meisho Doto\|Meisho Doto]] and Narita Top Road, and for dramatic finishes, squeezing through narrow gaps in the stretch to come out on top against all odds. At the year’s end, T.M. Opera O was unanimously selected as Horse of the Year. This selection marked only the third time in history this has happened, following Ten Point (1977) and [[IRL:Symboli Rudolf\|Symboli Rudolf]] (1985). Additionally, his trainer, Ichizo Iwamoto, secured the title of trainer with the highest annual earnings, setting a record of ¥1,508,378,000. <ref>https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2000/12/25/more-sports/t-m-opera-caps-record-year-with-arima-victory/#:~:text=Claiming%20both%20Emperor's%20Cups%2C%20the%20Takarazuka%20Memorial</ref><ref>https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0000302080/record/
	</ref><ref>『優駿』2001年2月号</ref><ref>https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/1996100292/</ref>		</ref><ref>『優駿』2001年2月号</ref><ref>https://en.netkeiba.com/db/horse/1996100292/</ref>

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	Once the gates opened, Opera O pressed inward on Eagle Café going into the first turn, a move that in turn caused Stay Gold to be squeezed and lose position. After the field settled, the race unfolded at an even tempo, with Opera O traveling comfortably in the second group, tracking Meisho Doto just ahead of him. The pack settled into an even pace through the corners, with T.M. Opera O tracking just behind Meisho Doto in mid-pack. In the final stretch, Tunante briefly surged ahead before Meisho Doto overtook him, only for T.M. Opera O swept past both rivals with an authoritative burst, crossing the line in two and a half lengths clear for the win. For jockey Wada, the victory carried extra weight, as this was his 68th attempt there.<ref>『優駿』2000年12月号、pp.11-13</ref><ref>木村（2002）pp.169-176</ref> <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms1h99jrgy0</ref>		Once the gates opened, Opera O pressed inward on Eagle Café going into the first turn, a move that in turn caused Stay Gold to be squeezed and lose position. After the field settled, the race unfolded at an even tempo, with Opera O traveling comfortably in the second group, tracking Meisho Doto just ahead of him. The pack settled into an even pace through the corners, with T.M. Opera O tracking just behind Meisho Doto in mid-pack. In the final stretch, Tunante briefly surged ahead before Meisho Doto overtook him, only for T.M. Opera O swept past both rivals with an authoritative burst, crossing the line in two and a half lengths clear for the win. For jockey Wada, the victory carried extra weight, as this was his 68th attempt there.<ref>『優駿』2000年12月号、pp.11-13</ref><ref>木村（2002）pp.169-176</ref> <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms1h99jrgy0</ref>

	T.M. Opera O etched his name in history by becoming just the third horse, after [[IRL: Tamamo Cross\|Tamamo Cross]] in 1988 and ~~[[IRL:~~Special Week~~\|Special Week]]~~ in 1999, to sweep both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho in the same year. Moreover, since the introduction of the graded stakes system in 1984, he became the first to conquer Grade 1 races at all four JRA major racecourses: Tokyo, Nakayama, Kyoto, and Hanshin.		T.M. Opera O etched his name in history by becoming just the third horse, after [[IRL: Tamamo Cross\|Tamamo Cross]] in 1988 and Special Week in 1999, to sweep both the spring and autumn Tenno Sho in the same year. Moreover, since the introduction of the graded stakes system in 1984, he became the first to conquer Grade 1 races at all four JRA major racecourses: Tokyo, Nakayama, Kyoto, and Hanshin.

	Jockey Wada reflected on the achievement, saying, ''“People kept talking about the favorite never winning and about how I’d never win at Tokyo, but we broke through that barrier with a perfect performance''.” Trainer Akio Iwamoto added, “The jinx of the favorite losing and Wada having never won at Tokyo were both on my mind, but once it was over, all I could feel was just how incredible this horse truly is.” <ref>『優駿』2000年12月号、p.127</ref>[[File:Show photo.jpg\|thumb\|T.M. Opera O at the Japan Cup, 2000]]Next up in the November 26 Japan Cup, an international invitational race, T.M. Opera O faced a formidable opponents that included five foreign challengers. Among them were Fantastic Light, winner of that year's Man o' War Stakes and runner-up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the 10-year-old veteran John's Call, who had captured two Grade 1 victories in America that season. The domestic competition was equally impressive, featuring [[IRL:Air Shakur\|Air Shakur]], the double Crown winner from the 2000 generation and third betting choice, alongside Japanese Derby champion Agnes Flight as the fourth favorite.		Jockey Wada reflected on the achievement, saying, ''“People kept talking about the favorite never winning and about how I’d never win at Tokyo, but we broke through that barrier with a perfect performance''.” Trainer Akio Iwamoto added, “The jinx of the favorite losing and Wada having never won at Tokyo were both on my mind, but once it was over, all I could feel was just how incredible this horse truly is.” <ref>『優駿』2000年12月号、p.127</ref>[[File:Show photo.jpg\|thumb\|T.M. Opera O at the Japan Cup, 2000]]Next up in the November 26 Japan Cup, an international invitational race, T.M. Opera O faced a formidable opponents that included five foreign challengers. Among them were Fantastic Light, winner of that year's Man o' War Stakes and runner-up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the 10-year-old veteran John's Call, who had captured two Grade 1 victories in America that season. The domestic competition was equally impressive, featuring [[IRL:Air Shakur\|Air Shakur]], the double Crown winner from the 2000 generation and third betting choice, alongside Japanese Derby champion Agnes Flight as the fourth favorite.
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	Yasuhiko Yasuda, rider of beaten rival Meisho Doto, confessed to reporters: ''“Right now, I don’t want to race against that horse (T.M. Opera O) again.”'' <ref>『優駿』2001年8月号、pp.57-59</ref>		Yasuhiko Yasuda, rider of beaten rival Meisho Doto, confessed to reporters: ''“Right now, I don’t want to race against that horse (T.M. Opera O) again.”'' <ref>『優駿』2001年8月号、pp.57-59</ref>

	Veteran commentator Yuji Nohira, who had praised T.M. Opera O since the Satsuki Sho as “the only horse running European-style races,” elevated his assessment: ''“I’ve never seen a horse produce such an incredible performance. At this point, if someone says he’s surpassed ~~[[IRL:~~Symboli Rudolf~~\|Symboli Rudolf]]~~, I won’t argue.”''<ref>『週刊100名馬 Vol.94 テイエムオペラオー』p.10</ref>		Veteran commentator Yuji Nohira, who had praised T.M. Opera O since the Satsuki Sho as “the only horse running European-style races,” elevated his assessment: ''“I’ve never seen a horse produce such an incredible performance. At this point, if someone says he’s surpassed Symboli Rudolf, I won’t argue.”''<ref>『週刊100名馬 Vol.94 テイエムオペラオー』p.10</ref>

	The 2000 Arima Kinen would be remembered as the definitive example of a dominant favorite surviving a deliberate siege, what would come to be known as the "T.M. Opera O Blockade" The ride was so remarkable that in 2013, the JRA officially commemorated the so-called "encirclement" in their ''THE LEGEND'' commercial series, enshrining it as one of racing's great escapes.		The 2000 Arima Kinen would be remembered as the definitive example of a dominant favorite surviving a deliberate siege, what would come to be known as the "T.M. Opera O Blockade" The ride was so remarkable that in 2013, the JRA officially commemorated the so-called "encirclement" in their ''THE LEGEND'' commercial series, enshrining it as one of racing's great escapes.