WORLD’S RICHEST HORSE RETIRED

24 January 2002

 Japanese champion T.M. Opera O has been retired to stud following a runner up effort in the Japan Cup behind Jungle Pocket. The son of Champion Opera House will stand at East Stud alongside old rival, Meisho Doto. T.M. Opera O won a memorable 2000 Japan Cup with Fantastic Light beaten in third and the likes of Stay Gold, Golden Snake, John’s Call and dual Hardwicke Stakes winner Fruits Of Love further back. T.M. Opera O was also champion three year old when he won the Japanese 2000 Guineas and was placed in the Derby and St Leger.

After this he was named Horse of the Year and champion older male in Japan.

T.M. Opera O was not quite the force he was at four but did still manage to beat the top class Meisho Doto in the group 1 Tenno Sho before a narrow second in the Japan Cup with the likes of Stay Gold, Golan, White Heart and With Anticipation well beaten.

In total the entire won 7 grade 1 races and 14 of 26 starts for earnings of $16,200,337.

T.M. Opera O is from the immediate family of Fall Aspen, Cozzene, Allen’s Prospect and Dixie Union.

By Sarah Whitelaw