Hakuryo

Background

Hakuryo was foaled on May 6, 1950, at Morita Farm in Aomori Prefecture, where his dam had been sent from Yashima Bokujo. His childhood name was Yashima Beauty. He was sired by Primero, and his dam was Dai-yon Buchanum Beauty, a daughter of Diolite. His full siblings included New Moana, who won the 1952 Mainichi Okan, and Shirahata, who won the Fukushima Kinen and later became the dam of Meiji Hikari. Among his contemporaries bred at Yashima Bokujo were Bostonian and Tokitsu.

Hakuryo was purchased by Hiroshi Nishi and trained by Tokichi Ogata. The name "Hakuryo" is derived from a fisherman in the Noh play Hagoromo. He measured 172 cm in height and 194 cm in girth, which was large for a Japanese racehorse of the 1950s. This build contributed to chronic quarter cracks that affected him throughout his career.

Racing career

1952–1953: Early career

Hakuryo debuted on November 8, 1952, at Tokyo Racecourse, finishing third after being promoted from fourth due to the disqualification of Hatakaze. Hoof problems delayed his next starts until March 1953, when he won a maiden race. In the spring, he contested the Japanese Triple Crown races, finishing second to Bostonian in the Satsuki Sho and the NHK Hai, and third behind Bostonian in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

During the summer, he won four open-class races, including the Nakayama Yonsai Stakes in a course record time of 2:06.1. In the autumn, he lost to Bostonian in a Kyoto open race but won the Kikuka-sho on November 23. Ridden by Takao Yasuda, Hakuryo took the lead at the third corner and defeated Bostonian by three and a half lengths, preventing him from winning the Triple Crown.

1954–1955: Older horse career

In 1954, Hakuryo was undefeated in five starts. His victories included the Tenno Sho (Spring), where he defeated Bostonian by six lengths, and the Mainichi Okan, which he won by four lengths over Cheerio, Bostonian, and Takao. Following the Mainichi Okan, he received an invitation to run in the Washington, D.C. International Stakes in the United States, becoming the first Japanese-trained horse to receive such an invitation. The owner accepted, and the horse was transported to Haneda Airport, but the overseas trip was cancelled because his large size made air transport unfeasible and sea transport was considered detrimental to his condition.

In January 1955, he was named Japanese Horse of the Year and Best Older Colt or Horse, defeating Dainana Hoshu in the voting. He also received the Tokyo Racing Journalists Club Award. He returned to racing in 1955, winning the Nakayama Kimpai and the Meguro Kinen (Spring). He finished third in an open race in July while carrying 69 kg, after which he was retired.

Statistics

The following table details all 25 starts of Hakuryo's racing career based on official JRA historical records.

Note: "R" in the Time column indicates a course record. Exact decimal odds were not systematically recorded for JRA races in the early 1950s; "N/A" denotes historically unavailable metrics.

Notable progeny

1957 crop

Caesar – Takarazuka Kinen, Asahi Challenge Cup, Naruo Kinen, Chukyo Kinen, Hankyu Hai, Meguro Kinen (Spring), Swan Stakes

Kusanagi – Chukyo Kinen

1959 crop

Yamano O – Satsuki Sho, Mainichi Okan, Diamond Stakes, Yasuda Kinen, Nikkei Sho

Toast – Nakayama Kinen, Mainichi Okan, Nakayama Kimpai, Argentine Jockey Club Cup

1960 crop

Chitose River – Kyoto Yonsai Tokubetsu

Chiest O – NTV Hai

1962 crop

Houran – Nakayama Daishogai (Autumn)

Kitashinzan – Hanshin Shogai Stakes (Spring)

1963 crop

Marufubuki – Niigata Kinen

1964 crop

Sea Ace – Oka Sho

New Onward – American Jockey Club Cup, Stayers Stakes

Broodmare sire progeny

Hikaru Takai (1964, by Limbo) – Tenno Sho (Spring)

Inter Hikari (1966, by Garcent) – Best Steeplechaser (1971)

Barone Turf (1972, by Bounteous) – Best Steeplechaser (1977–1979)

Lucky Ruler (1974, by Stupendous) – Tokyo Yushun

Dokan Jo (1984, by Tosho Boy) – Best Two-Year-Old Filly (1986)

Stud career and evaluation

Hakuryo stood at Wakakusa Farm in Hokkaido for three years before moving to the Urakawa Stallion Station. During this period, domestic stallions were generally less favored due to the influx of foreign imports, but Hakuryo sired multiple stakes winners. He ranked in the top ten of the Japanese general sire list seven times, peaking at fourth in 1964. He died of old age on September 4, 1975, at the age of 25, and was buried at Urakawa Minota Farm.

Jockey Takao Yasuda, who rode both Hakuryo and Hakuchikara, stated that Hakuryo possessed more speed and power than Hakuchikara, and that his front-running style would have been suited to American racing. Trainer Tokichi Ogata noted that few horses of the era matched Hakuryo's physical build. Hiroshi Nishi's wife later stated that Nishi had originally intended to send Hakuryo, rather than Hakuchikara, to compete in the United States.