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Orfevre
Orfevre after winning the 2011 Arima Kinen
SireStay Gold
GrandsireSunday Silence
DamOriental Art
DamsireMejiro McQueen
SexStallion
FoaledMay 14, 2008
CountryJapan
ColourChestnut
BreederShadai Farm
OwnerSunday Racing
TrainerYasutoshi Ikee
JockeyKenichi Ikezoe
Record21: 12-6-1[1]
Earnings1,576,213,000 JPY
JPN: 1,344,084,000 JPY
FR: 2,159,880 EUR
Major wins
Awards
Honours
Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame (2015)
Timeform rating: 132
Last updated on September 14, 2015

Orfevre (Japanese: オルフェーヴル, romanized: Orufēvuru; foaled May 14, 2008) is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse and active breeding stallion. In 2011 he won the Japanese Triple Crown and was voted Japanese Horse of the Year. In 2012 he added victories in the Takarazuka Kinen and the Prix Foy but was narrowly beaten in both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Japan Cup. He acquired the reputation of being an extremely talented but temperamental racehorse. In 2013 Orfevre again won the Prix Foy and finished second in the Arc before ending his career with an eight length win in the Arima Kinen. Orfevre was inducted into Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame on 14th September 2015.[2]

Background

[edit]

Orfevre (French for 'goldsmith') is a chestnut horse with a white blaze, bred by Shadai Farm in Hokkaido, Japan. His sire Stay Gold, a son of the thirteen-time Leading sire in Japan Sunday Silence, was a successful international performer, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Hong Kong Vase. Standing as a stud at Big Red Farm in Hokkaido, he has produced numerous important winners including Dream Journey, Nakayama Festa and Gold Ship.[3] Orfevre's dam, Oriental Art, was a daughter of the Hall of Fame inductee Mejiro McQueen and also the dam of Dream Journey.[4] Kenichi Ikezoe rode Orfevre in Japan while Christophe Soumillon rode the horse in his European races.

Racing career

[edit]

2010: two-year-old season

[edit]

Orfevre raced three times as a two-year-old in 2010, winning his first start a 'Newcomer' race (unraced maidens), second in an open class race and 10th in the Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes.

2011: three-year-old season

[edit]
Orfevre after winning the 78th Tokyo Yushun

Orfevre was beaten in his first two races in 2011 but won his next six races. In March he won the Spring Stakes at Hanshin Racecourse.[5] A month later he won the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), beating the odds-on favourite Sadamu Patek by three lengths.[6] The race had been delayed for a week and moved from Nakayama to Tokyo as a result of the March 11 earthquake.[7] On 29 May, Orfevre took the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown when he came from well off the pace[8] to beat Win Variation in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).[9]

After a break of almost four months, Orfevre returned to the racecourse in September to win the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai, again beating Win Variation. In October he completed the Triple Crown by winning the Kikuka Sho, with Win Variation finishing second yet again.[10]

On his final start of the year, Orfevre contested the Arima Kinen on 25 December, facing older horses for the first time. The field included Buena Vista, Jaguar Mail, Victoire Pisa, Tosen Jordan and Hiruno d'Amour. Orfevre made a late run on the outside to win by three quarters of a length from Eishin Flash.[11]

2012: four-year-old season

[edit]

Orfevre lost his first two races at the age of four. In the Grade 2 Hanshin Daishoten on 18 March he was virtually pulled up midway through the race before accelerating again to finish second. He then ran poorly when finishing eleventh in the Tenno Sho on 29 April. In June he returned to form to win the Takarazuka Kinen by two lengths from Rulership.

In the late summer of 2012, Orfevre was sent to Europe to prepare for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. In September he won his trial race by beating Meandre in the Prix Foy over the Arc course and distance. In the Arc de Triomphe he started favourite ahead of the Epsom Derby winner Camelot, despite being given an unfavourable outside draw. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, he was restrained at the back of the eighteen runner field before making rapid progress on the outside to take the lead in the straight. Orfevre opened up a clear advantage 200 metres from the finish, but then veered sharply right towards the inside rail. In the closing stages he was caught by the filly Solemia and finished second by a neck, seven lengths clear of the other runners.

After returning to Japan, his next race was the Japan Cup on 24 November. The race saw a close finish between Orfevre and the 2012 Fillies Triple Crown heroine Gentildonna. Orfevre was triple crown champion (male) the previous year. In the last 200 meters, he appeared to have been bumped off his racing line by Gentildonna who crossed the line a nose in front of the colt. The subsequent stewards' inquiry found that although interference had taken place, the result was allowed to stand, even though they handed down Gentildonna's jockey Yasunari Iwata a two-day suspension. Orfevre's Arc rival Solemia raced prominently throughout the race, but finished midfield. Despite receiving most fan votes in Arima Kinen, Orfevre's side decided not to field him the race as defending winner, as he had not recovered sufficiently from the Arc and Japan Cup.

At the JRA Awards in January 2013, Orfevre won the JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse, taking 273 of the 289 votes. In the Horse of the Year poll he finished third to Gentildonna and Gold Ship.[12]

2013: five-year-old season

[edit]

On his five-year-old debut, Orfevre ran in the Sankei Osaka Hai at Hanshin on 31 March. He started the 1/5 favourite and won from Shonan Mighty and Eishin Flash. Orfevre was expected to defend the Takarazuka Kinen on 23 June, but a nine days before the race he bled after an exercise gallop. After exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage was diagnosed, Ikee decided to withdraw the horse from the race and target the Arc again.[13]

As in the previous year, Orfevre was sent to Europe in the autumn on 2013 and ran in the Prix Foy as his trial race for the Arc. On 15 September he started as 4/6 favorite against eight opponents including Dunaden after the late withdrawal of Camelot. Ridden by Soumillon, he took the lead 200 metres from the finish and won easily by three lengths from Very Nice Name. In the Arc, Orfevre was made 13/10 favourite in a field of seventeen runners. He was restrained behind the leaders by Soumillon before moving forward in the straight and finished second for the second consecutive year, five length behind the winner Treve. Orfevre missed the Japan Cup and ran his final race in the Arima Kinen on 21 December. In front of a crowd of 124,782, he started the 3/5 favourite against fifteen opponents, with Gold Ship (17/5) being the only horse seriously backed against him. Kenichi Ikezoe restrained the colt in the early stages before moving forward on the final turn. Orfevre took the lead and drew away from the field to win by eight lengths from Win Variation, with Gold Ship in third. Later that evening, Orfevre paraded in front of 60,000 fans in his official retirement ceremony.[14]

At the JRA Awards in January 2013, Orfevre defended JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse with 176 votes, beating sprinter Lord Kanaloa in 104. However, in Japanese Horse of the Year, he only voted in second place to Lord Kanaloa in a 209-69 margin. In the 2013 World's Best Racehorse Rankings Orfevre tied with Wise Dan for third place behind Treve and Black Caviar.[15]

Race record

[edit]

The following form is based on information available on netkeiba.com and JBIS-Search.[16][17]

Date Distance
(Condition) 		Race Class Track Course Entry Finish Time Winning
(Losing)
Margin 		Jockey Winner
(2nd Place) 		Ref
2010 – Two-year-old season
Aug 14 1600m (Soft) Two Year Old Debut Turf Niigata 14 1st 1:37.4 1+1⁄2 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Shonan Parfait) [18]
Oct 3 1600m (Firm) Fuyo Stakes OP Turf Nakayama 8 2nd 1:35.3 (neck) Kenichi Ikezoe Whale Capture [19]
Nov 13 1400m (Firm) Keio Hai Nisai Stakes GII Turf Tokyo 15 10th 1:22.6 (5 lengths) Kenichi Ikezoe Grand Prix Boss [20]
2011 – Three-year-old season
Jan 9 1600m (Firm) Shinzan Kinen GIII Turf Kyoto 16 2nd 1:34.2 (1+1⁄2 lengths) Kenichi Ikezoe Red Davis [21]
Feb 6 1800m (Firm) Kisaragi Sho GIII Turf Kyoto 12 3rd 1:47.8 (1+1⁄2 lengths) Kenichi Ikezoe Tosen Ra [22]
Mar 26 1800m (Firm) Spring Stakes GII Turf Hanshin 18 1st 1:46.4 3⁄4 length Kenichi Ikezoe (Belshazzar) [23]
Apr 24 2000m (Firm) Satsuki Sho GI Turf Tokyo 18 1st 2:00.6 3 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Sadamu Patek) [24]
May 29 2400m (Heavy) Tokyo Yushun GI Turf Tokyo 18 1st 2:30.5 1+3⁄4 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Win Variation) [25]
Sep 25 2400m (Firm) Kobe Shimbun Hai GII Turf Hanshin 11 1st 2:28.3 2+1⁄2 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Win Variation) [26]
Oct 23 3000m (Firm) Kikuka Sho GI Turf Kyoto 18 1st 3:02.8 2+1⁄2 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Win Variation) [27]
Dec 25 2500m (Firm) Arima Kinen GI Turf Nakayama 13 1st 2:36.0 3⁄4 length Kenichi Ikezoe (Eishin Flash) [28]
2012 – Four-year-old season
Mar 18 3000m (Good) Hanshin Daishoten GII Turf Hanshin 12 2nd 3:11.9 (1⁄2 length) Kenichi Ikezoe Gustave Cry [29]
Apr 29 3200m (Firm) Tenno Sho (Spring) GI Turf Kyoto 18 11th 3:15.6 (11+1⁄2 lengths) Kenichi Ikezoe Beat Black [30]
Jun 24 2200m (Firm) Takarazuka Kinen GI Turf Hanshin 16 1st 2:10.9 2 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Rulership) [31]
Sep 16 2400m (Good) Prix Foy GII Turf Longchamp 5 1st 2:34.26 1 length Christophe Soumillon (Meandre) [32][33]
Oct 7 2400m (Soft) Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe GI Turf Longchamp 18 2nd -- (neck) Christophe Soumillon Solemia [32][34]
Nov 25 2400m (Firm) Japan Cup GI Turf Tokyo 17 2nd 2:23.1 (nose) Kenichi Ikezoe Gentildonna [35]
2013 – Five-year-old season
Mar 31 2000m (Firm) Sankei Osaka Hai GII Turf Hanshin 14 1st 1:59.0 1⁄2 length Kenichi Ikezoe (Shonan Mighty) [36]
Sep 15 2400m (Soft) Prix Foy GII Turf Longchamp 9 1st 2:41.47 3 lengths Christophe Soumillon (Very Nice Name) [32][37]
Oct 6 2400m (Soft) Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe GI Turf Longchamp 17 2nd -- (5 lengths) Christophe Soumillon Treve [32][38]
Dec 22 2500m (Firm) Arima Kinen GI Turf Nakayama 16 1st 2:32.3 8 lengths Kenichi Ikezoe (Win Variation) [39]

Stud record

[edit]

Orfevre currently stands at the Shadai Stallion Station at a service fee of JPY 3,500,000.

Notable progeny

[edit]

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
Bold = Grade 1 stakes

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2015 Epoca d'Oro c Satsuki Sho
2015 Lucky Lilac f Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, Queen Elizabeth II Cup (twice), Osaka Hai, Tulip Sho, Artemis Stakes
2016 Marche Lorraine f Breeders' Cup Distaff
2017 Shonan Nadeshiko f Kashiwa Kinen
2017 Ushba Tesoro c Tokyo Daishoten (2022, 2023), Kawasaki Kinen, Dubai World Cup, Nippon TV Hai

In addition to the above horses, Melody Lane [ja], who is the smallest Japanese-trained thoroughbred to have won a race, is also Orfevre's crop.[40]

[edit]

An anthropomorphized version of Orfevre appears in Umamusume: Pretty Derby, voiced by Yoko Hikasa.[41]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Orfevre (JPN), chestnut stallion, 2008[42]
Sire
Stay Gold (JPN)
1994 		Sunday Silence (USA)
1986 		Halo (USA) Hail To Reason (USA)
Cosmah (USA)
Wishing Well (USA) Understanding (USA)
Mountain Flower (USA)
Golden Sash (JPN)
1988 		Dictus (FR) Sanctus (FR)
Doronic (FR)
Dyna Sash (JPN) Northern Taste (CAN)
Royal Sash (GB)
Dam
Oriental Art (JPN)
1997 		Mejiro McQueen (JPN)
1987　 		Mejiro Titan (JPN) Mejiro Asama (JPN)
Cheryl (FR)
Mejiro Aurora (JPN) Remand (GB)
Mejiro Iris (JPN)
Electro Art (JPN)
1986 		Northern Taste (CAN) Northern Dancer (CAN)
Lady Victoria (CAN)
Grandma Stevens (USA) Lt. Stevens (USA)
Dhow (USA)(Family:8-c)[43]
  • Orfevre is inbred 3 x 4 to Northern Taste, meaning that this stallion, as well as its full brother Dream Journey, appears in both the third and fourth generations of his pedigree.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Orfevre

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Orfevre (Japanese: オルフェーヴル, foaled 14 May 2008) is a retired Japanese race and successful breeding stallion, renowned for winning the Japanese Triple Crown in 2011 and achieving near-misses in two editions of the . Born at Shiraoi in , , Orfevre is a chestnut colt sired by Stay Gold out of the Oriental Art, and was bred by the Shadai Corporation. Owned by the Sunday Racing Co. Ltd. syndicate and trained by Yasutoshi Ikee, he began his racing career in 2010 as a two-year-old, showing early promise with victories in maiden and allowance races at Racecourse. Orfevre's breakthrough came in 2011 at age three, when he swept the Japanese Triple Crown: the Satsuki Shō (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1) at Nakayama in April, the Yūshun (Japanese Derby, G1) at in May, and the Kikuka Shō (Japanese St. Leger, G1) at in October, becoming the seventh horse to complete the feat since its inception in 1934. Later that year, he added the Arima Kinen (G1) at Nakayama in December, capping a dominant season with four victories and earnings exceeding ¥1 billion. Known for his explosive finishing speed but occasionally temperamental behavior—earning him the nickname "" among fans—Orfevre demonstrated versatility over distances from 1600 to 3000 meters. In 2012, Orfevre continued his success domestically by winning the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) at in June, but his international ambitions were highlighted by a dramatic runner-up finish in the at Longchamp, where he surged to the lead in the final stages only to veer right and be overtaken by Solemia. Orfevre's 2013 campaign included a victory in the Osaka Hai (G2) at in March and a win in the Prix Foy (G2) at Longchamp in , but his focus remained on . He repeated his Arc performance by finishing second once more, this time to Treve, despite leading into the straight; the result solidified his status as one of Japan's most celebrated international challengers, though it left him just short of becoming the first Japanese to win the prestigious race. Retiring after a final win in the Arima Kinen later that year—his second victory in the race—Orfevre concluded his career with 12 victories from 21 starts, including six Group 1 wins, and total earnings of approximately ¥1.89 billion, ranking him among Japan's all-time leading money earners at the time. Since retiring to stud at the in 2014, Orfevre has established himself as a leading sire in , with over 1,000 foals producing more than 500 winners (approximately 30% ) and 35 stakes winners as of 2025, including elite performers like Lucky Lilac (five-time winner) and Dubai Honour ( winner in the UAE and ). His progeny have earned more than ¥15 billion collectively as of 2025, underscoring his lasting influence on Japanese breeding and .

Background

Breeding and Ownership

Orfevre was foaled on May 14, 2008, at Shiraoi Farm, a facility operated by Shadai Corporation in , . He is a chestnut colt sired by Stay Gold, a prominent Japanese stallion by out of Golden Sash, renowned for producing high-class performers such as and Dream Journey, which highlighted his influence in breeding middle-distance and staying types. Orfevre's dam was Oriental Art, a mare by the stamina-influenced , whose lineage contributed a strong staying element to the pedigree. Bred by Shadai Corporation, the operation of the Yoshida family, Orfevre was retained for racing rather than sold at auction, owing to the promising combination of his sire's proven speed and class with the dam's endurance-oriented background, which positioned him ideally for Japan's classic distances. Ownership of Orfevre was vested in Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., a prominent Japanese that pools investments from multiple shareholders to acquire and campaign top prospects. The syndicate structure allowed for broad participation, with shares priced at approximately ¥1.5 million each across 40 units, enabling Orfevre to be developed under professional management from an early stage. Early observations at the farm noted his robust, athletic conformation, marked by a white blaze on his coat, though he displayed initial signs of a willful that would become more evident during training.

Early Training and Temperament

Orfevre began his training as a two-year-old under the guidance of Yasutoshi Ikee at the Ritto Training Center of the (JRA). Yasutoshi Ikee, son of legendary trainer Yasuo Ikee—who had previously conditioned the undefeated Triple Crown winner Deep Impact—was a relatively new trainer at the time. This familial legacy in training elite stayers influenced Orfevre's program, which emphasized gradual conditioning to harness his raw potential for longer distances typical of Japan's classic races. From the outset, Orfevre exhibited a notoriously difficult that complicated his early development. Described as headstrong and mentally challenging to manage, he often displayed excitability during workouts, leading to erratic behavior such as bolting or surging prematurely. His trainer noted that this volatility required careful handling to prevent it from undermining his exceptional speed and stamina, though it occasionally resulted in inconsistent performances in trials. Despite these challenges, Orfevre entered his racing debut without any significant injuries, allowing his team to focus on specialized techniques to stabilize his nerves ahead of competition. To accommodate his temperament, Orfevre was primarily partnered with Kenichi Ikezoe from an early stage, a rider renowned for his skill in managing headstrong Thoroughbreds. Ikee's experience helped mitigate Orfevre's tendency to run freely, adjusting tactics to channel his energy more effectively during preparatory sessions. Owned by the prominent syndicate Sunday Racing Co. Ltd., Orfevre's early phase set the foundation for a career marked by brilliance tempered by behavioral hurdles.

Racing Career

2010: Two-Year-Old Season

Orfevre made his racing debut on August 14, 2010, at Niigata Racecourse in a 1,600-meter maiden race for two-year-olds on soft turf. Ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee, he started from post position 8 in a field of 14 and won by a in a time of 1:37.4, defeating Shonan Parfait. Immediately after crossing the finish line, Orfevre unseated Ikezoe and galloped loose around the track for several minutes before being caught, an early indication of his challenging that would persist throughout his career. This victory earned him ¥7 million in prize money. In his second outing on October 3, Orfevre competed in the Fuyo Stakes, an allowance race over 1,600 meters at Nakayama Racecourse on firm turf. Again partnered with Ikezoe from post 3 in an eight- field, he pressed the pace but finished second by a head to Whale Capture in 1:35.3, securing another ¥6.45 million. The highlighted his competitive speed but also his tendency to over-race early. Orfevre's juvenile campaign concluded on November 13 in the Grade 2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes at , shortened to 1,400 meters due to track renovations. Starting as the favorite from post 7 in a 15- field, he led initially under Ikezoe but faded badly in the stretch to finish 10th, beaten by 4 lengths in 1:22.6 on firm turf. This result exposed his inexperience over shorter distances and control issues, though his breeding suggested potential for longer trips. Overall, Orfevre recorded one win and one second-place finish from three starts, earning a total of ¥13.45 million. While not precocious, his debut efforts demonstrated raw ability and stamina suited to middle distances, tempered by immaturity and behavioral challenges observed in . He concluded the as a promising but unranked contender among Japan's top juveniles.

2011: Three-Year-Old Season

Orfevre began his three-year-old campaign building on a promising juvenile season, but faced early setbacks with a second in the G3 Shinzan Kinen and third in the G3 Kisaragi Sho before winning the G2 Spring Stakes and rebounding strongly. On April 24, he claimed the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown in the G1 Satsuki Sho over 2,000 meters at (relocated from Nakayama due to the ), powering home by three lengths in a time of 2:00.6 on firm ground to defeat Sadamu Patek. Five weeks later, Orfevre secured the second leg in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) on May 29 at Tokyo Racecourse, covering 2,400 meters on heavy ground in 2:30.5 and prevailing by 1¾ lengths over Win Variation in a display of sustained acceleration from the rear. After a summer break, Orfevre completed the Triple Crown on October 23 in the G1 Kikuka Sho at Kyoto Racecourse, the longest leg at 3,000 meters, where he won by 2½ lengths in 3:02.8 on firm turf, edging Win Variation again to become the seventh horse in Japanese history to achieve the feat. Having won the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai in September as preparation, he demonstrated stamina in the classic distance. Capping a dominant year, Orfevre stepped up against older horses in the G1 Arima Kinen on December 25 at Nakayama, rallying from mid-pack to win the 2,500-meter all-aged championship by ¾ length in 2:36.0, holding off Eishin Flash in a tactical effort that showcased his versatility. Orfevre recorded six victories from eight starts in 2011, amassing ¥805,524,000 in earnings, and his exceptional season earned him the titles of Horse of the Year and Best Three-Year-Old Colt with near-unanimous votes. Throughout the year, Orfevre's fiery temperament surfaced in narrower margins during preparatory races, where he occasionally showed signs of excitability, yet he demonstrated remarkable control and focus in his major victories, channeling his energy into decisive late surges.

2012: Four-Year-Old Season

Orfevre began his four-year-old campaign with a second in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten in March but finished a disappointing 11th in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) in April. After a break, he won the Takarazuka Kinen, a Grade 1 fan-voted all-star race over 2,200 meters at Hanshin Racecourse on June 24. Ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe for trainer Yasutoshi Ikee, the colt started from the 11th post position and settled mid-pack before mounting a strong challenge on the final turn, ultimately winning by two lengths over Rulership in a time of 2:10.9 on firm ground. After a period of rest, Orfevre turned his attention to international competition in , targeting the . On , he competed in the Prix Foy, a Grade 2 preparatory race over 2,400 meters at Longchamp, where he was ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Orfevre tracked the pace before taking command 1.5 furlongs out and held off Meandre to win by one length on good-to-soft ground, confirming his readiness for the Arc. In the on October 7, over the same course and distance, Orfevre started from the wide 18th post but delivered a powerful wide trip under Soumillon, seizing a three-length lead entering the final 200 meters. However, his faltered dramatically in the closing stages; he veered sharply toward the rail, collided with it, and idled, allowing 25-1 outsider Solemia to catch him in the final strides for a defeat on heavy ground. The incident highlighted Orfevre's challenging disposition, though no formal stewards' inquiry was reported. Returning to , Orfevre contested the over 2,400 meters at on November 25, where he faced strong domestic rivals including the filly Gentildonna. Under Ikezoe, Orfevre rallied from mid-pack but encountered traffic trouble in the stretch, suffering a bump from Gentildonna as she shifted outside tiring runners; a 15-minute stewards' inquiry followed the close finish, but the result stood with Gentildonna prevailing by a nose in 2:23.1 on firm ground. The contact stemmed from the filly's using a left-handed whip, leading to a two-day suspension for careless riding. Orfevre made four starts in 2012, securing two victories and two runner-up finishes while building on his 2011 Japanese Triple Crown achievements. He earned ¥645 million in prizemoney that season and was honored with the JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse at the January 2013 ceremony.

2013: Five-Year-Old Season

Orfevre began his five-year-old campaign with a victory in the Sankei Osaka Hai (G2) over 2,000 meters at Hanshin Racecourse on March 31, where he started as the heavy favorite and rallied from the rear to win by a half-length under jockey Kenichi Ikezoe. He then finished 11th in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto on April 28. After a lengthy layoff, he returned to Europe in September for his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe preparation, dominating the Prix Foy (G2) over 2,400 meters at Longchamp on September 15 by three lengths, showcasing his sustained class on soft ground. In the main event, the (G1) on October 6 at Longchamp over 2,400 meters, Orfevre again seized the lead in the straight but veered outward under Christophe Soumillon, allowing Treve to surge past and win by five lengths while he held second. Skipping the , Orfevre concluded his career in the Kinen (G1) on December 22 at Nakayama over 2,500 meters, where he delivered an emotional farewell by powering clear to win by eight lengths over in a time of 2:32.3, thrilling a crowd of over 124,000. Across four starts in 2013—three victories and one second—Orfevre earned approximately ¥415 million in prize money, including ¥203 million from the Kinen and conversions from his European efforts. His performance secured him the JRA Award for Best Older Male for the second consecutive year. Following the Kinen, connections announced his to stud at , citing his volatile temperament—which had caused issues like the Arc veering—as a alongside his substantial breeding potential from a stellar record.

Overall Racing Statistics

Orfevre competed in 21 races throughout his career, achieving 12 wins, 4 second-place finishes, and 1 third-place finish, resulting in a 57% win rate and an 81% in-the-money rate. His performance in Group 1 races abroad was winless in 2 starts, with both resulting in runner-up finishes in the in 2012 and 2013. The horse's career totaled 1,576,213,000 , equivalent to approximately $19 million USD based on contemporary exchange rates, placing him among Japan's all-time leading money earners at the time of retirement. Orfevre demonstrated a strong affinity for middle to long distances, particularly excelling from 2,000 to 3,000 meters, where he secured all of his major victories, including the Japanese Triple Crown races.
StatisticValue
Total Starts21
Wins12 (57%)
Seconds4
Thirds1
Career Earnings (JPY)1,576,213,000
Career Earnings (USD approx.)$19,000,000
Kenichi Ikezoe served as Orfevre's primary in , partnering for 10 victories across 17 domestic starts, while Christophe Soumillon handled the four European outings, securing 2 wins in Group 2 events. Among his notable achievements, Orfevre remained undefeated in the Japanese Triple Crown series with three consecutive wins in 2011 and captured four titles that same year, a streak that underscored his dominance in distances. Orfevre retired at the age of five following his final victory in the 2013 Arima Kinen, having sustained no major injuries during his career, though his volatile occasionally led to post-race incidents that raised concerns about potential disqualifications.

Achievements and Honors

JRA Awards and Hall of Fame

Orfevre's exceptional performances earned him multiple (JRA) awards, recognizing his dominance in Japanese racing. In 2011, following his sweep of the Japanese Triple Crown and victory in the Arima Kinen, Orfevre was named Japanese Horse of the Year, receiving 284 out of 285 votes from JRA voters, just one short of unanimity. He also secured the Best Three-Year-Old Colt award unanimously with all 285 votes, underscoring his unparalleled success among his peers that season. In 2012, Orfevre claimed the Best Older Colt or Horse award after winning the Takarazuka Kinen and competing strongly abroad, garnering 273 out of 289 votes. The following year, 2013, he repeated as Best Older Colt or Horse, earning 176 out of 280 votes for his final-season triumphs including the , marking his second consecutive win in the category. Over his career, Orfevre received three JRA awards, with his poll percentages—often exceeding 95% in key categories—standing among the highest of his contemporaries, reflecting widespread acclaim for his achievements. Orfevre was inducted into the JRA Hall of Fame in 2015, his first year of eligibility following retirement at the end of 2013, honored for his Triple Crown victory and notable international campaigns. His popularity extended to fan engagements, where he topped the voting polls for the Kinen multiple years running, including four consecutive times as the most desired entrant, culminating in his record-breaking 81,198 votes in 2013.

International Racing Impact

Orfevre's consecutive runner-up finishes in the in 2012 and 2013 significantly elevated the global profile of Japanese Thoroughbred racing. In 2012, he surged to the lead in the final stages at Longchamp but veered off course, allowing Solemia to prevail by a nose in a dramatic finish that drew widespread attention to Japan's competitive presence in 's premier middle-distance event. The following year, despite softer ground suiting his running style less, Orfevre again finished second, this time five lengths behind Treve, reinforcing perceptions of Japanese horses as serious international contenders capable of challenging the best in . These near-misses, attended by over 6,000 Japanese fans who traveled to , symbolized a maturing Japanese racing scene and inspired a surge in subsequent Arc challenges, including efforts by horses like in 2017. Orfevre's victories in the Prix Foy, a key Arc trial, further solidified his status as a leading European prep contender. In 2012, he won the Group 2 race by a length under Christophe Soumillon, demonstrating adaptability to French conditions and positioning himself as the ante-post favorite for the Arc. He repeated the feat in 2013, coasting to a comfortable three-and-a-half-length victory over Very Nice Name, which reaffirmed his elite form ahead of his final Arc attempt and highlighted the growing tactical sophistication of Japanese raiders in international preps. His Arc campaigns generated substantial media coverage in European outlets, often portraying Orfevre as the embodiment of Japan's persistent yet elusive quest for global glory. Publications like chronicled the "heartbreak" of his defeats, amplifying interest in Japanese racing abroad and fostering a of resilience that resonated with international audiences. This visibility indirectly boosted tourism and participation at the , where Orfevre's 2012 rematch against Solemia attracted strong European entries and heightened global intrigue, with British and French media noting the event's prestige amid a field featuring Arc protagonists. Orfevre's international exploits left a lasting legacy, paving the way for greater success among Japanese horses on the world stage, including offspring of contemporaries like Deep Impact who achieved victories in major European and American races in subsequent years. His consistent high-level performances earned him top rankings from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), placing him tied for 17th worldwide in 2011 with a rating of 123, sixth in 2012 at 127, and tied for third in 2013 with 129, underscoring his status among the era's elite and influencing the Racing Association's push for expanded global engagements.

Breeding Career

Stud Career Overview

Following his retirement from racing in 2013, Orfevre transitioned to the in , , where he began his stud career in 2014. His initial advertised stud fee was ¥6,000,000, reflecting high expectations for the triple crown winner and multiple Horse of the Year honoree. Over the years, demand fluctuations led to adjustments, with the fee reduced to ¥3,500,000 by 2025. Orfevre's early breeding seasons demonstrated strong fertility and robust book sizes, averaging 150-200 mares annually in his initial years at stud. He received significant support from the influential Yoshida family, whose Northern Farm and related operations contributed heavily to his nominations. His first crop, foaled in 2015, numbered 154 registered offspring from approximately 190 mares covered the prior spring, achieving conception rates around 80% in that debut season. As a sire, Orfevre has established himself as a leading influence in Japanese breeding, ranking in the top 10 by progeny for multiple years, including 2020 through 2023. As of 2025, his progeny include over 570 winners from more than 850 starters, amassing total exceeding ¥15 billion. This success underscores his value in transmitting stamina, particularly when crossed with mares carrying lineage, aligning with his own pedigree influences.

Notable Progeny

Orfevre has sired several standout performers on the racetrack, with his progeny achieving notable success in both and internationally. Among his most prominent offspring is the 2015 filly Lucky Lilac, who secured four victories: the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in 2017, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in 2019 and 2020, and the Osaka Hai in 2020. These accomplishments highlighted her versatility over middle distances on turf, contributing to Orfevre's growing reputation as a sire of high-class fillies. Another key offspring, the 2015 colt Epoca d'Oro, captured the 2018 Satsuki Sho (G1), Japan's 2000 Guineas equivalent, marking a strong classic performance for Orfevre's first crop. He later stood as a stallion, extending his influence through the next generation. The 2018 filly Marche Lorraine extended Orfevre's international reach by winning the 2021 (G1) at Del Mar, becoming the first Japanese-trained horse to claim that prestigious dirt event. Her victory underscored the adaptability of Orfevre's bloodline to American surfaces. On the dirt, the 2018 colt emerged as a dominant force, securing the 2022 and 2023 Tokyo Daishoten (G1) before triumphing in the 2023 (G1), Japan's first win in the race's dirt edition since 2011. As a specialist in longer dirt routes, he demonstrated the stamina inherited from his sire's own Triple Crown-winning career. Among other noteworthy runners, the filly holds the JRA record for the lightest weight carried to victory (338 kg) in a 2019 maiden race at , showcasing the diversity within Orfevre's offspring. As of 2025, Orfevre's progeny had produced at least seven JRA winners, including international successes like those of Marche Lorraine and Ushba Tesoro, reflecting a trend toward excellence in middle to long distances on both turf and , with 35 stakes winners overall. While some inherited his occasionally fiery temperament, many channeled it into competitive edge.

Pedigree

Immediate Pedigree

Orfevre is a chestnut colt foaled on May 14, 2008, in Hokkaido, Japan. His coat color derives from his Thoroughbred lineage, which emphasizes the blend of speed and endurance typical in Japanese breeding programs. Orfevre's sire is Stay Gold, a dark bay or brown stallion born in 1994, known for his own successful racing career that included victories in long-distance races like the Takarazuka Kinen and Hong Kong Vase. Stay Gold was by the influential American stallion Sunday Silence out of the mare Golden Sash. Sunday Silence, foaled in 1986, was a leading sire in Japan, contributing speed and precocity to his progeny. The dam of Orfevre is Oriental Art, a chestnut mare born on May 12, 1997. She was by Mejiro McQueen, a grey stallion foaled in 1987 renowned for his stamina in races such as the Tenno Sho and Arima Kinen, out of the mare Electro Art. Oriental Art's deep dam line traces to influential stayers, enhancing Orfevre's aptitude for endurance events. Orfevre's breeding was strategically designed to combine Stay Gold's proven speed and versatility with the staying power from Oriental Art's Mejiro lineage, aiming for a versatile middle-to-long distance performer. This cross leveraged Northern Taste's influence on both sides of the pedigree, appearing as a great-great-grandsire through Golden Sash and as a great-grandsire through Electro Art, bolstering classic potential. The following table outlines Orfevre's immediate four-generation pedigree:
GenerationSire LineDam Line
Subject (ch. c., 2008)
ParentsStay Gold (dkb/br. h., 1994)Oriental Art (ch. m., 1997)
Grandparents (blk. h., 1986)
Golden Sash (ch. m., 1988)		 (gr. h., 1987)
Electro Art (ch. m., 1986)
Great-GrandparentsHalo (blk. h., 1969)
(b. m., 1975)
Dictus (ch. h., 1967)
Dyna Sash (b. m., 1979)		Mejiro Titan (gr. h., 1978)
Mejiro Aurola (ch. m., 1978)
Northern Taste (ch. h., 1971)
Grandma Stevens (ch. m., 1977)
Great-Great-Grandparents (selected)Hail to Reason (br. h., 1958)
Cosmah (b. m., 1953)

Family Influences and Inbreeding

Orfevre's sire line traces through Stay Gold to , a dominant influence credited with imparting brilliance and class to his descendants in Japanese racing. This lineage contributed to Orfevre's precocity and ability to excel in high-level competition from an early age. Additionally, appears in Orfevre's pedigree via Northern Taste, providing genetic versatility that supported performance across distances and surfaces. On the dam side, Oriental Art descends from the influential Mejiro family through , a renowned stayer who won long-distance races like the Tenno Sho (Spring) twice at 3200 meters, infusing the pedigree with stamina suited to classic events. This maternal heritage traces to established Japanese branches known for endurance in staying races, enhancing Orfevre's aptitude for the grueling Japanese Triple Crown distances. Orfevre exhibits inbreeding 4x3 to Northern Taste, a son of who brought toughness and developmental strength to Japanese Thoroughbreds, appearing once in the fourth generation on the sire side via Golden Sash and once in the third on the dam side via Electro Art. This pattern results in an inbreeding coefficient of 2.74%, considered moderate for the breed and below the typical threshold of 5% for significant homozygosity risks. Such inbreeding to Northern Taste is associated with robust growth and resilience rather than extreme specialization. As a full brother to the Group 1-winning Dream Journey, who earned Japanese championships as a two-year-old in 2006 and older horse in 2009, Orfevre shares the successful Stay Gold over cross rated A++ by TrueNicks for producing elite performers. He also has half-siblings by Stay Gold from other , underscoring the sire's consistent impact within the family. This pedigree structure underpins Orfevre's Triple Crown success in 2011 and his international competitiveness, revitalizing a female line that had been dormant in recent graded stakes.

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