11-year-old Chosan Oju, who was called the "absolute champion" after winning nine G1 races, the most in the history of the steeplechase races of the central horse racing, ran in his retirement race and bid farewell to many fans.

Oju Chosan, an 11-year-old horse, made his debut in 2013 in a flat race at Chuo Keiba, but was unable to win, so he took a year off and sought a place in steeplechase races.



He won his first victory in the fourth race after conversion, and since he won his first victory at the Nakayama Grand Jump in 2016 in the G1 race of obstacles, he won the most nine wins in history, such as winning even when he turned 11 years old.



Known as the “absolute champion of obstacles,” he gained popularity in 2018 when he was selected by a fan vote to run in the flat G1 race and the Arima Memorial.



On the 24th, as a retirement race, he entered the Nakayama Daisho, a G1 race of obstacles contested on 4100 meters of grass, and advanced the race in the leading group.



Ojuchosan ran up the slope and jumped over all the obstacles.



He struggled in the final straight and finished sixth, but was applauded by the crowd of fans who had gathered to finish the race safely.



At the retirement ceremony held after the final race, he reappeared on the track and said goodbye to his fans.



Jockey Shinichi Ishigami, who has taken the reins of Oju Chosan for a long time, said, "I felt frustrated after the race, but I was happy that I made it to the goal safely. He was the best partner."



In the future, Ojuchosan will be a breeding horse at a breeding farm in Hokkaido.

“Absolute champion” Numerous records in steeplechase races

Oju Chosan was called the “absolute champion” because he has shown overwhelming power in steeplechase races, setting numerous records.



According to the JRA = Japan Racing Association, Ojuchosan's 9 wins in the G1 race for obstacles are the most in history, far ahead of the 3 wins in 2nd place.



At the age of 11, he won a G1 steeplechase race in April this year, making him the oldest JRA-affiliated horse to win a graded race, including horses that are active on flat ground.



His 7 consecutive wins in the steeplechase G1 race he has entered is also the most consecutive wins record, surpassing the 6 consecutive wins of TEEM OPERA O, which is the record for flat races.



In addition, he has won seven consecutive years in a graded disability race from the ages of 5 to 11, which is also the longest record.



The prize money won in the steeplechase race was more than 900 million yen, the highest ever.



It was also the first time for a horse that had performed well in steeplechase races that a retirement ceremony was held on the day of the race, and the “absolute champion” finished with a record at the end.