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Sodashi (horse)
Sodashi (horse)
Sodashi (horse)
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Sodashi
Sodashi and her jockey, Hayato Yoshida, after winning the Victoria Mile in 2022
SireKurofune
GrandsireFrench Deputy
DamBuchiko
DamsireKing Kamehameha
SexMare
Foaled8 March 2018 (age 7)[1]
CountryJapan
ColourWhite
BreederNorthern Farm
OwnerKaneko Makoto Holdings
TrainerNaosuke Sugai
Record16: 7-2-2
Earnings629,234,000 JPY
Major wins
Sapporo Nisai Stakes (2020)
Artemis Stakes (2020)
Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (2020)
Oka Sho (2021)
Sapporo Kinen (2021)
Victoria Mile (2022)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Filly (2020)
JRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old Filly (2021)
Last updated on June 4, 2023

Sodashi (Japanese: ソダシ foaled 8 March 2018) is a pure white Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2021 Japanese 1000 Guineas. She was also one of the best two-year-olds in Japan in 2020 when she was unbeaten in four races including the Sapporo Nisai Stakes, Artemis Stakes and Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. In 2021 she won the Oka Sho but sustained her first defeat when running unplaced in the Yushun Himba. The filly returned to the track in August and defeated older rivals in the Sapporo Kinen.

Background

[edit]

Sodashi is a pure white mare bred in Japan by Northern Farm, the breeding operation of her owner Makoto Kaneko. She was sent into training with Naosuke Sugai.

She was from the seventeenth crop of foals sired by Kurofune, an American-bred stallion who won the NHK Mile Cup and the Japan Cup Dirt in 2001. As a breeding stallion, his other progeny have included Curren Chan, Clarity Sky [ja] (NHK Mile Cup), Sleepless Night [ja] (Sprinters Stakes), Fusaichi Richard [ja] (Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes) and Whale Capture [ja] (Victoria Mile).[2]

Sodashi's maternal grand-dam Shirayukihime [ja](meaning "Snow White Princess") was a rare white Thoroughbred foaled in 1996 to non-white parents.[3][4] Her other descendants (many of whom have also been white) have included Hayayakko [ja] (Leopard Stakes) and Meikei Yell [ja] (Kokura Nisai Stakes, Fantasy Stakes).[5] Sodashi's dam Buchiko [ja], who won four races, was a white mare with an unusual pattern of dark patches and spots on her coat.[6] Shirayukihime herself was a female-line descendant of the Italian broodmare Milonga (foaled in 1948) making her a distant relative of Hansel.[7]

Racing career

[edit]

2020: two-year-old season

[edit]
Sodashi and Uberleben at the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies

Sodashi was ridden in all of her starts as a two-year-old by Hayato Yoshida. The filly made her debut in an event for previously unraced juveniles over 1800 metres on firm ground at Hakodate Racecourse on 12 July and won by two and a half lengths from the colt Gallant Warrior.[8]

On September 5, Sodashi was stepped up in class for the Grade 3 Sapporo Nisai Stakes over the same distance at Sapporo Racecourse and started the 3.7/1 second favourite in a fourteen-runner field. After tracking the leaders she gained the advantage in the straight and won by a neck from Uberleben with a gap of a length and three quarters back to the favourite Bathrat Leon [ja].[9]

On her next appearance Sodashi started the 2.5/1 favourite for the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes over 1600 metres at Tokyo Racecourse on 31 October. She raced in second place behind the front-running outsider Orange Fizz before taking the lead in the straight, breaking clear of the field and winning by one and three quarter lengths and half a length from Kukuna and Ten Happy Rose [ja].[10]

On 10 December Sodashi was moved up to the highest class to contest the Grade 1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over 1600 metres at Hanshin Racecourse and went off the 2.2/1 favourite against seventeen opponents including Satono Reinas [ja] (Saffron Sho), Meikei Yell (Kokura Nisai Stakes, Fantasy Stakes), Infinite (second in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup), and Uberleben. In the build up to the race, Hayato Yoshida [ja] said "[White horses] are all very sensitive and high maintenance. You do need to be careful with them but with her, that sensitive side is bringing out the best in her. She breaks well and is super responsive when you tell her to go. She's really smart and a very complete racehorse."[11] The filly settled in fourth place on the inside as the outsider Yoka Yoka [ja] set the early pace. After looking to be unlikely to obtain a clear run in the straight, she went to the front inside the last 200 metres and held off the late challenges of Satono Reinas and Uberleben to win by a nose and a neck, becoming the first white Japanese horse to win a graded turf race.[12] Yoshida commented "Going into the race as favorite was a bit of a load, but I'm thrilled with the outcome. She hated to even go near the gate but I'm relieved that all went well and that we were able to be positioned just as I hoped. The going affected her good turn of foot but she gave all she had. There is room for improvement, and I hope we can get her ready for next year's classics."[13]

In January 2021, Sodashi was unanimously voted Japan's Best Two-Year-Old Filly at the JRA Awards for 2020.[14] In the official Japanese rankings Sodashi was rated the best two-year-old filly of 2020, one pound ahead of Satono Reinas.[15]

2021: three-year-old season

[edit]
Sodashi winning the Oka Sho

Sodashi made her first start of 2021 in the first leg of the Japanese Fillies Triple Crown, the Japanese 1000 Guineas, where she won by a neck over Satono Reinas, setting a new record time of 1:31.1 in the process and officially beating Gran Alegria's previous record. She developed from being "that white filly" to genuine stardom.[16] She suffered her first defeat when she finished eight out of eighteen runners in the 2021 Japanese Oaks, the second leg of the fillies' Triple Crown. She would then go on to win the Sapporo Kinen over open company[17] before closing out her season with a tenth-place finish in the Shūka Sho (in which the horse broke her tooth and was bleeding) and a twelfth-place finish in the Champions Cup.[18][19]

2022: four-year-old season

[edit]
Sodashi at the Champions Cup

After a third-place finish in the February Stakes over the dirt, Sodashi was entered in the Grade 1 Victoria Mile on the turf against fillies and mares. After settling in fourth position for most of the trip, Sodashi stormed to the lead and to victory in the uphill stretch at Tokyo Racecourse under regular jockey Hayato Yoshida.[20]

After this, she went to Sapporo with the anticipation that she would win the Sapporo Kinen for a second year in a row.[21] As Hayayakko, another white horse, was also entered in to the race, this became the first time ever that two white horses were matched together in a JRA race.[22] However, neither horses won the title with Sodashi finishing 5th and Hayayakko 10th behind Jack d'Or. Sugai deduced that the reason for the loss was due to her weight was increased by 3kg, and announced that she would go to the Mile Championship next.[23]

Before the Mile Championship, she also ran in the Fuchu Himba Stakes, where she was the most favored by far. She took the lead after placing herself at fifth place for most of the race, but was passed by the dark-horse Izu Jo no Kiseki [ja] right before the finish line.[24]

At the Mile Championship, she was the second most favored to win behind Schnell Meister. She was placed at fourth place among the slow pack during the race, and attempted to take the lead as fast as possible on the straight, but was passed by Serifos [ja] from the outside, as well as Danon The Kid from the inside, marking her first defeat at a mile race.[25][26]

2023: five-year-old season

[edit]

Sodashi started her 2023 run with the Victoria Mile on May 14, where she took the lead towards the end, but was passed by Songline soon after and finished second.[27] She then went on to the Yasuda Kinen, but lost to Songline once again and finished at 7th place.[28][29]

Sodashi developed problems on her legs and was sent to rest at one of the Northern Farm stables. However, it was ultimately decided by Kaneko on October 1 that he would be retiring the horse, saying that he would "pass the baton" to Sodashi's full sister, Mama Cocha, who had just won the Sprinters Stakes that same day.[30][31][32][33]

Racing form

[edit]

Sodashi won seven races out of 16 starts. This data is available in JBIS and netkeiba.[8][34]

Date Track Race Grade Distance
(Condition) 		Entry HN Odds
(Favored) 		Finish Time Margins Jockey Winner
(Runner-up)
2020 – two-year-old season
Jul 12 Hakodate 2yo Newcomer 1,800 m (Firm) 7 4 5.9 (3) 1st 1:50.4 –0.4 Hayato Yoshida (Gallant Warrior)
Sep 5 Sapporo Sapporo Nisai Stakes 3 1,800 m (Firm) 14 13 4.7 (2) 1st R1:48.2 0.0 Hayato Yoshida (Uberleben)
Oct 31 Tokyo Artemis Stakes 3 1,600 m (Firm) 16 14 3.5 (1) 1st 1:34.9 –0.3 Hayato Yoshida (Kukuna)
Dec 13 Hanshin Hanshin Juvenile Fillies 1 1,600 m (Firm) 18 6 3.2 (1) 1st 1:33.1 0.0 Hayato Yoshida (Satono Reinas)
2021 – three-year-old season
Apr 11 Hanshin Oka Sho 1 1,600 m (Firm) 18 4 3.6 (2) 1st R1:31.1 0.0 Hayato Yoshida (Satono Reinas)
May 23 Tokyo Yushun Himba 1 2,400 m (Firm) 18 11 1.9 (1) 8th 2:25.1 0.6 Hayato Yoshida Uberleben
Aug 22 Sapporo Sapporo Kinen 2 2,000 m (Firm) 13 13 3.8 (2) 1st 1:59.5 –0.1 Hayato Yoshida (Loves Only You)
Oct 17 Kyoto Shuka Sho 1 2,000 m (Firm) 16 4 1.9 (1) 10th 2:02.1 0.9 Hayato Yoshida Akaitorino Musume
Dec 5 Chukyo Champions Cup 1 1,800 m (Fast) 16 1 4.5 (2) 12th 1:52.0 2.3 Hayato Yoshida T O Keynes
2022 – four-year-old season
Feb 20 Tokyo February Stakes 1 1,600 m (Sloppy) 16 11 8.2 (4) 3rd 1:34.3 0.5 Hayato Yoshida Cafe Pharoah
May 15 Tokyo Victoria Mile 1 1,600 m (Firm) 18 5 5.7 (4) 1st 1:32.2 –0.3 Hayato Yoshida (Fine Rouge)
Aug 21 Sapporo Sapporo Kinen 2 2,000 m (Firm) 16 10 3.3 (1) 5th 2:01.8 0.6 Hayato Yoshida Jack d'Or
Oct 15 Tokyo Fuchu Himba Stakes 2 1,800 m (Firm) 15 2 1.9 (1) 2nd 1:44.5 0.0 Hayato Yoshida Izu Jo No Kiseki
Nov 20 Hanshin Mile Championship 1 1,600 m (Firm) 17 6 4.4 (2) 3rd 1:32.8 0.3 Hayato Yoshida Serifos
2023 – five-year-old season
May 14 Tokyo Victoria Mile 1 1,600 m (Firm) 16 16 4.6 (3) 2nd 1:32.2 0.0 Damian Lane Songline
Jun 4 Tokyo Yasuda Kinen 1 1,600 m (Firm) 18 5 5.5 (2) 7th 1:32.0 0.6 Yuga Kawada Songline

Legend:
  Turf   Dirt

  • R indicated that it was a record time finish

Breeding career

[edit]

Sodashi retired to Northern Farm as a broodmare. On January 30, 2025 she delivered her first foal, a filly by two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox.[35]

Pedigree

[edit]
Pedigree of Sodashi (JPN), white filly, 2018[1]
Sire
Kurofune (USA)
1998 		French Deputy (USA)
1992 		Deputy Minister (CAN) Vice Regent (CAN)
Mint Copy (CAN)
Mitterand (USA) Hold Your Peace (USA)
Laredo Lass (USA)
Blue Avenue (USA)
1990 		Classic Go Go (USA) Pago Pago (AUS)
Classic Perfection (USA)
Eliza Blue (USA) Icecapade(USA)
Corella (USA)
Dam
Buchiko (JPN)
2012 		King Kamehameha (JPN)
2001 		Kingmambo (USA) Mr Prospector
Miesque
Manfath (IRE) Last Tycoon
Pilot Bird (GB)
Shirayukihime (JPN)
1996 		Sunday Silence (USA) Halo
Wishing Well
Wave Wind (USA) Topsider
Storm And Sunshine (Family:2-w)[7]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sodashi (horse)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Sodashi (Japanese: ソダシ, foaled March 8, 2018) is a retired Japanese race celebrated for her rare predominantly white coat and groundbreaking success as the first such to win a Grade 1 race. Bred and owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. in , she was trained throughout her career by Naosuke Sugai and primarily ridden by jockeys such as Hayato Yoshida and Yuga Kawada. Sired by Kurofune out of the Buchiko (by Kamehameha), Sodashi's white coloration stems from a rare genetic trait in her maternal line, tracing back to the gray Shirayukihime, making her part of an exceptional family of light-furred s in . Sodashi raced from 2020 to 2023, compiling a record of 7 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds in 16 starts while earning ¥629,234,000 (approximately $4.2 million USD). She began her career undefeated in four starts as a juvenile, highlighted by a victory in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Stakes (G1) on December 13, 2020, which earned her the JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Filly. At three years old, she extended her winning streak to five with triumphs in the Fillies' Revue (G2) and the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1) on April 11, 2021, marking her as the first white horse to win a Grade 1 turf race in Japan and securing the JRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old Filly. After an eighth-place finish in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1), Sodashi rebounded with a win in the Kinen (G2) later in 2021 and reached her peak in 2022 by capturing the Victoria Mile (G1) at on May 15, defeating a strong field of older and mares to qualify for the Breeders' Cup. Her career concluded in 2023 with a narrow second in the Victoria Mile defense and a seventh in the Yasuda Kinen (G1), after which she was retired as a two-time JRA and a beloved fan favorite known as Japan's "white wonder" or "idol horse." In her broodmare career, Sodashi foaled a by on January 30, 2025, at Northern Farm, continuing her legacy in breeding.

Background

Birth and Ownership

Sodashi was foaled on March 8, 2018, at Northern Farm in Abira, , . Northern Farm, the breeding operation owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd., served as both the breeder and lifelong owner of the , retaining her throughout her racing career without entering her in public auctions. She is by the American-bred stallion Kurofune out of the mare Buchiko, a daughter of King Kamehameha known for her distinctive white coat with dark markings. Raised at Northern Farm during her early years, Sodashi underwent weaning and initial development on the expansive estate before transitioning to professional preparation. In 2019, at the age of one, she entered training under Naosuke Sugai at his Shiga Prefecture stable, marking the start of her structured athletic conditioning ahead of her racing debut the following year.

Physical Characteristics

Sodashi is distinguished by her pure white coat, a rare trait among Thoroughbreds resulting from a spontaneous mutation in the KIT gene designated as W14, which causes extensive depigmentation and results in an entirely white appearance without underlying pigmentation. This genetic anomaly leads to pink skin and light-colored eyes, setting her apart from typical bay, chestnut, or black Thoroughbreds, and her coat maintained its uniform whiteness throughout her life without the progressive graying observed in horses carrying the gray gene. The rarity of Sodashi's coloration is underscored by her status as the first all-white to win a Grade 1 race in Japanese racing, highlighting the exceptional nature of this in a where such is exceedingly uncommon. The W14 responsible for her appearance was first identified in her third dam, the unraced mare Shirayukihime, establishing a notable lineage of white horses within her family. Sodashi's was directly inherited from her , Buchiko, a who displayed a dramatic base with extensive markings, while her , Kurofune, a gray stallion, influenced other aspects of her pedigree but not the primary trait. Her overall conformation was described as physically stable and well-balanced, contributing to her suitability for middle-distance efforts, and she maintained sound health throughout much of her development.

Racing Career

2020: Two-Year-Old Season

Sodashi began her racing career with a victory in a maiden race over 1800 metres on turf at Racecourse on July 12, 2020, ridden by jockey Hayato Yoshida for trainer Naosuke Sugai. The , starting from the third gate, settled mid-pack before finishing strongly to secure the win, marking a promising start under Sugai's strategy of introducing her at a longer distance to build stamina early. She remained undefeated in her next outing, the Grade 3 Nisai Stakes over 1800 metres at Racecourse on September 5, 2020, where Yoshida guided her to victory in a track record time of 1:48.2, edging out Uberleben in a . This performance against colts established her as a graded stakes winner and highlighted Sugai's progressive approach, maintaining the 1800-metre distance to leverage her endurance before shortening later in the season. Sodashi continued her unbeaten run in the Grade 3 Artemis Stakes over 1600 metres at on October 31, 2020, prevailing by 1.3 lengths over Kukuna in 1:34.9 with Yoshida aboard. Culminating her juvenile campaign, she became the first to win a JRA Grade 1 race by capturing the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over 1600 metres at Hanshin Racecourse on December 13, 2020, holding off Satono Reinas by a nose in 1:33.1. Her four starts that year yielded four wins and earnings of ¥134,373,000, earning her the JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old .

2021: Three-Year-Old Season

Sodashi began her three-year-old campaign with a victory in the Oka Sho (G1), the Japanese 1000 Guineas, held on April 11 at Hanshin Racecourse over 1600 meters on turf. Ridden by Hayato Yoshida for trainer Naosuke Sugai, she started from the wide post 18 and rallied strongly from off the pace to win by three-quarters of a length over Satono Reinas in a course-record time of 1:31.1, maintaining her unbeaten record at five starts and becoming the first white horse to win a Japanese classic. Her attempt to secure the second leg of the fillies' Triple Crown came in the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1) on May 23 at , stretched to 2400 meters on turf. Despite entering as the favorite, Sodashi faded late to finish eighth of 18, beaten 3½ lengths by winner Uberleben, marking her first career defeat and exposing potential stamina limitations at the longer distance. Following a three-month , Sodashi returned in the Sapporo Kinen (G2) on August 22 at Racecourse over 2000 meters on turf, where she faced older rivals for the first time. She settled midfield before surging clear in the stretch to win by two lengths over Loves Only You in 1:59.5, demonstrating improved versatility at the mile-and-a-quarter distance and securing her second stakes victory of the season. Sodashi's bid for the fillies' Triple Crown concluded unsuccessfully in the Shuka Sho (G1) on October 17 at Racecourse over 2000 meters on turf, where she finished 10th of 16 after a troubled trip, beaten 4½ lengths by Akaitorino Musume. She closed the year with an experimental start on in the Cup (G1) on December 5 at Chukyo Racecourse over 1800 meters, finishing 12th of 16 behind T O Keynes in a field of seasoned sprinters. Over five starts in 2021, Sodashi recorded two wins with no places in the remaining three races, earning ¥202,769,000. Her performances highlighted tactical adaptability in middle distances but confirmed limitations beyond a mile, as longer efforts tested her stamina. She was honored as the JRA's Best Three-Year-Old for 2021, receiving 234 votes in the awards.

2022: Four-Year-Old Season

Sodashi opened her four-year-old season with a third-place finish in the February Stakes (G1) over 1600 metres on dirt at on February 20, 2022, ridden by Hayato Yoshida. She returned to turf with a focus on mile distances, reaffirming her status as a premier turf specialist at that range. Her standout performance came in the Victoria Mile (G1) on May 15 at , where she covered the 1600-meter course in 1:32.2, securing victory by two lengths over Fine Rouge under jockey Hayato Yoshida. This triumph marked her third Grade 1 success and made her the first white to win the prestigious fillies' and mares' mile event, drawing widespread acclaim for her striking appearance and closing rally. Following the Victoria Mile, Sodashi tested slightly longer trips with mixed results, finishing fifth in the Sapporo Kinen (G2) over 2000 meters at in August. She rebounded to place second in the Fuchu Himba Stakes (G2) at 1800 meters on October 15 at , beaten by a head, before closing the year with a solid third-place effort in the Mile Championship (G1) over her preferred 1600 meters on November 20 at , where she was narrowly denied by 0.3 seconds. Throughout the season, Yoshida remained her consistent rider, optimizing her positioning in mile races to leverage her strong finishing kick. In five starts during , Sodashi achieved one victory, one second, and two thirds, amassing of ¥237,093,000 and contributing significantly to her total exceeding ¥500 million at that point. Her performances underscored a refined maturity in mile competition, setting the stage for continued contention among Japan's elite female turf runners.

2023: Five-Year-Old Season

Sodashi began her five-year-old campaign with a strong effort in the Victoria Mile (G1) on May 14, 2023, at over 1600 meters on turf. Ridden by Australian jockey Damian Lane for trainer Naosuke Sugai, the mare took the lead in the stretch but was narrowly overtaken in the final strides by , finishing second by a head in a time of 1:32.2. Lane, who had praised Sodashi's ease of handling in pre-race workouts, noted her competitive spirit despite the wide post position draw. This runner-up finish earned her ¥52,000,000 in prize money and marked a valiant defense of her 2022 title in the race. Following the Victoria Mile, Sodashi made her next appearance in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) on June 4, 2023, again at over 1600 meters. With Kawada in the saddle, she started as the 9/2 favorite but faded late to finish seventh in a field of 18, beaten 1.3 lengths by winner in a time of 1:32.0. Post-race examination revealed discomfort in one of her legs, prompting her connections to withdraw her from further competition that summer. The injury, discovered shortly after the Yasuda Kinen, involved her right foreleg and sidelined her for the remainder of the season. On October 2, 2023, trainer Naosuke Sugai announced Sodashi's , citing the persistent leg issue and a desire to transition her to breeding duties at Northern Farm following rest and evaluation. The decision came a day after her full sister Mama Cocha's victory in the Sprinters Stakes (G1), symbolizing a passing of the baton within the family. For the year, Sodashi recorded 2 starts with 0 wins, 1 second, and earnings of approximately ¥52,000,000. Sugai reflected on her longevity, stating, "Sodashi has been truly loved by the fans... She has gained worldwide attention and has worked really hard," highlighting her five-year career that spanned from undefeated juvenile triumphs to elite mile racing. She was subsequently retired to stud, where she produced her first in 2025.

Achievements and Legacy

Racing Accomplishments

Sodashi's racing career spanned from 2020 to 2023, during which she made 16 starts, achieving 7 wins, 2 second-place finishes, and 2 third-place finishes, for total earnings of ¥629,234,000. Her victories included three races: the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies in 2020, the Oka Sho in 2021, and the Victoria Mile in 2022. She also secured four additional graded wins—two Group 2 and two Group 3 events—along with one ungraded victory on debut, demonstrating consistent performance at elite levels despite challenges in longer distances and surfaces. Her earnings were distributed across years as follows: ¥134,373,000 in 2020 from four consecutive wins; ¥202,770,000 in 2021 from three graded victories; ¥208,600,000 in 2022, bolstered by her Victoria Mile triumph and multiple placings; and ¥83,494,000 in 2023 from strong finishes in top races. The wins alone accounted for over half of her career , highlighting her impact in Japan's premier events, while graded stakes successes in lower tiers provided foundational earnings early on. Sodashi received prestigious JRA Awards, named Best Two-Year-Old in 2020 for her undefeated juvenile campaign and Best Three-Year-Old in 2021 following her Oka Sho victory. Key milestones included remaining unbeaten through her first four starts, encompassing her debut win and graded triumphs, and becoming the first all-white to win a JRA —achieved initially in the 2020 Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3)—before repeating the feat multiple times, including in Group 1 competition. These accomplishments underscored her historical significance in Japanese racing.

Cultural Significance

Sodashi's striking white coat captured the imagination of the Japanese public, earning her affectionate nicknames such as "White Wonder" and "idol horse," which highlighted her status as a beloved figure in racing culture. Her rarity as a pure white generated massive media coverage across , positioning her as a of during the 2020 and attracting non-traditional fans to who were drawn to her ethereal appearance rather than competitive outcomes. This widespread appeal was evidenced by her topping plushie sales charts, making her the most popular racehorse in based on merchandise demand. As the first to win a Grade 1 race worldwide, Sodashi broke significant barriers in the , sparking global discussions on the of color in breeding programs. Her success elevated the visibility of rare , which occur in approximately one in due to a dominant genetic , inspiring breeders to explore such traits while emphasizing their historical scarcity. Sodashi's cultural footprint extended to media features and endorsements, including international coverage in outlets like and promotional videos by the that showcased her victories. Her races, particularly the 2022 Victoria Mile, drew rapturous crowds and boosted attendance, with spectators erupting in cheers for the "cult heroine" as she crossed the finish line. In broader terms, Sodashi emerged as a symbol of diversity within the predominantly bay and chestnut-dominated world of , influencing by inspiring interest in characters in anime franchises like Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, where her family line has fueled speculation for future inclusions. Her legacy thus transcends the track, promoting inclusivity and fascination with equine genetics among enthusiasts worldwide.

Post-Racing Career

Retirement

Sodashi's retirement from racing was announced on October 1, 2023, by her connections, including owner Kaneko Makoto Holdings and trainer Naosuke Sugai, shortly after her full sister Mama Cocha's victory in the G1 Sprinters Stakes. The decision followed the discovery of discomfort in her leg after finishing seventh in the G1 Yasuda Kinen on June 4, 2023, her final start, which led to a period of rest and subsequent diagnosis confirming the need to end her racing career. The (JRA) supported the announcement, recognizing Sodashi's status as a fan favorite and historic figure in Japanese racing. Sodashi received treatment for her injury at Northern Farm in , where the recovery was successful and free of complications, paving the way for her smooth transition to broodmare duties. Trainer Naosuke Sugai expressed admiration for her calm temperament and groundbreaking achievements, noting that she had captured global attention as the first all-white to win at Grade 1 level and was beloved by fans worldwide; he anticipated her continued success in breeding. Kawada, who rode her to several victories including the 2021 Victoria Mile, paid tribute to her exceptional talent and gentle nature, reflecting on the privilege of partnering such a unique champion throughout her career.

Breeding Career

Following her retirement from racing in late 2023, Sodashi was relocated to Northern Farm in , , to begin her career as a broodmare. In the 2024 breeding season, Sodashi was covered by , the two-time Japanese Horse of the Year and a leading sire prospect known for his victories in the and . On January 30, 2025, Sodashi foaled her first offspring at Northern Farm—a healthy by , who was reported to be active and nursing well despite initial unsteadiness on her legs. The does not exhibit the rare white coat of her , instead inheriting a darker coloring similar to her sire. As of November 2025, the has not yet entered training or racing. Sodashi, owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd., is expected to be bred annually to continue extending her influential pedigree, with her offspring potentially benefiting from the speed-oriented genetics of her sire Kurofune and the stamina from her dam's line.

Pedigree

Immediate Pedigree

Sodashi is a mare sired by the Japanese champion Kurofune, a grey stallion foaled in 1998 who won the Mile Cup (G1) and Japan Cup Dirt (G1) in 2001, earning Champion 3-Year-Old Colt honors. Her dam, Buchiko, is a white foaled in 2012 who won four races, primarily on . The combination draws from prominent Japanese and American lines, blending speed-oriented sires with a maternal family known for durability. The immediate pedigree spans three generations, as detailed in the following table:
GenerationPaternal LineMaternal Line
FoalSodashi (wh. f. 2018)
ParentsKurofune (gr. h. 1998) by French Deputy (ch. h. 1992) out of Blue Avenue (gr. m. 1990)Buchiko (wh. m. 2012) by King Kamehameha (b. h. 2001) out of Shirayukihime (wh. m. 1996)
Paternal GrandparentsFrench Deputy (ch. h. 1992) by Deputy Minister (b. h. 1979) out of Mitterand (b. m. 1980)Blue Avenue (gr. m. 1990) by Classic Go Go (b. h. 1984) out of Eliza Blue (gr. m. 1986)
Maternal GrandparentsKing Kamehameha (b. h. 2001) by Kingmambo (b. h. 1990) out of Manfath (b. m. 1992)
Shirayukihime (wh. m. 1996) by out of Wave Wind (b. m. 1991)
Key grandsires in Sodashi's pedigree include French Deputy on the paternal line, a son of known for imparting precocity and aptitude, and Kamehameha as the damsire, a leading Japanese whose progeny have dominated both turf and with over 70 stakes winners. Buchiko's produce record includes at least six registered foals, several inheriting the trait prominent in the family. Notable are Sodashi (2018 f. by Kurofune, multiple G1 winner with earnings exceeding ¥629 million), Marga (2023 f. by Maurice, debut winner in 2025), Mama Cocha (2019 f. by Kurofune, G1 winner), and Kalpa (2021 c. by Maurice). Other foals include Solomon (2022 c. by Mikki Isle) and a 2024 by , with the family showing a shift toward turf aptitude in recent generations. Sodashi's pure represents a rare manifestation of the gene traceable to her 's side, where both Buchiko (white with spots) and granddam Shirayukihime (pure white, unraced) carried the trait, originating from an American import line without prior extensive white ancestry on the sire's side.

Ancestral Notes

Sodashi's line traces through Buchiko, a spotted white mare who secured four victories from 16 starts on the dirt in between 2015 and 2017, showcasing the endurance of this distinctive family despite her modest racing record. Buchiko produced several foals, including a full sister to Sodashi named Mama Cocha in 2019, a filly who won the G1 Sprinters Stakes in 2023 among seven victories from 24 starts. The maternal granddam, Shirayukihime, an unraced white mare foaled in 1996 and sired by the influential , served as a foundational producer in this branch, yielding 11 foals—10 registered as white and one as gray—before her death in 2019. On the sire side, Kurofune, an American-bred gray stallion who excelled as a champion dirt horse in with victories in the 2001 NHK Mile Cup (G1, turf) and Japan Cup Dirt (G1, dirt), proved highly successful at stud, siring over 200 winners including multiple graded stakes performers and becoming a leading broodmare sire. His lineage stems from French Deputy, a son of known for imparting precocity and speed to his descendants, contributing to Kurofune's aptitude for mile and middle-distance races on both surfaces. Among notable relatives, Sodashi shares her dam with half-siblings such as the white filly Marga, by Maurice, who won her debut at Racecourse in July 2025, highlighting the ongoing competitiveness of Buchiko's produce. Yukichan, a white allowance winner, is a half-sister to Buchiko. This family connects to broader champion blood through King Kamehameha, Buchiko's and a record-breaking Japanese whose descendants include elite winners like Lord Kanaloa and Harpstar, underscoring the line's infusion of stamina and class. Genetically, the rarity of white dilution in Japanese Thoroughbred breeding stems from Shirayukihime's unique KIT gene mutation, a form of dominant white that produces nearly all-white coats without the pink skin or blue eyes typical of double cream dilutions, making this lineage a celebrated anomaly with only a handful of similar cases registered since the breed's establishment. This mutation's heritability offers potential for white or lightly marked offspring in future generations, as evidenced by the five of Shirayukihime's six daughters that have produced at least one white foal.

References

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