Namura Clair
| Namura Clair ナムラクレア | |
|---|---|
 Namura Clair at the 2022 Oka Shō | |
| Breed | Thoroughbred |
| Sire | Mikki Isle |
| Grandsire | Deep Impact |
| Dam | Sun Queen II |
| Damsire | Storm Cat |
| Sex | Mare |
| Foaled | 30 March 2019 |
| Country | Japan |
| Colour | Dark bay |
| Breeder | Tanigawa Bokujo |
| Owner | Mutsuhiro Namura |
| Trainer | Kodai Hasegawa |
| Jockey | Suguru Hamanaka Christophe Lemaire |
| Record | 25: 6-7-5 |
| Earnings | ¥732,822,000 |
| Major wins | |
| Hanshin Cup (2024) Kokura Nisai Stakes (2021) Hakodate Sprint Stakes (2022) Silk Road Stakes (2023) Keeneland Cup (2023) | |
Namura Clair (Japanese: ナムラクレア, Hepburn: Namura Kurea; 30 March 2019) is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. She competed from 2021 to 2026, recording six wins in twenty-five starts, including the Hanshin Cup (GII) in 2024, the Kokura Nisai Stakes (GIII) in 2021, the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) in 2022, the Silk Road Stakes (GIII) and Keeneland Cup (GIII) in 2023.[1] She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) in three consecutive years (2023–2025) and third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) in three consecutive years (2023–2025).[2]
Background
Namura Clair is a dark bay mare bred in Urakawa, Hokkaido, by Tanigawa Bokujo.[1] She was sired by Mikki Isle, a son of Deep Impact, and her dam was Sun Queen II, an American-bred mare by Storm Cat.[3] Her racing name combines the "Namura" prefix used by owner Mutsuhiro Namura with "Clair," a female given name.[1] She was sent into training with Kodai Hasegawa at the JRA's Ritto Training Center.[1]
Racing career
2021: Two-year-old season
Namura Clair debuted on August 1, 2021, in a maiden race on the turf at Niigata Racecourse, finishing third.[2] She won the Phoenix Sho (Open) at Kokura Racecourse on August 14.[2] On September 5, she won the Kokura Nisai Stakes (GIII) at Kokura, ridden by Suguru Hamanaka, defeating Threeperda by 0.4 seconds.[4] She finished second in the Fantasy Stakes (GIII) at Hanshin Racecourse in November and fifth in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (GI) in December.[2]
2022: Three-year-old season
Namura Clair finished second in the Fillies' Revue (GII) at Hanshin in March.[2] She finished third in the Oka Shō (GI) at Hanshin in April.[2] On June 12, she won the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) at Hakodate Racecourse, carrying 50 kg, in a time of 1:07.2.[2] She finished third in the Kitakyushu Kinen (GIII) at Kokura in August and fifth in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama Racecourse in October.[2]
2023: Four-year-old season
On January 29, Namura Clair won the Silk Road Stakes (GIII) at Chukyo Racecourse, defeating Fast Force by a head.[5] She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo in March, losing by 0.1 seconds to Fast Force on a heavy track.[2] She finished eighth in the Victoria Mile (GI) at Tokyo Racecourse in May.[2]
On August 27, she won the Keeneland Cup (GIII) at Sapporo Racecourse, defeating Cinnamon Stick by 0.2 seconds.[2] She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in October, losing by 0.2 seconds to Mama Cocha.[2]
2024: Five-year-old season
Namura Clair finished second in the Kyoto Himba Stakes (GIII) at Kyoto Racecourse in February.[2] She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo in March, losing by a head to Mad Cool.[2] She finished fifth in the Keeneland Cup (GIII) at Sapporo in August.[2] She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in September, ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama.[2]
On December 21, she won the Hanshin Cup (GII) at Kyoto, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, defeating Mad Cool by 0.1 seconds.[2]
2025: Six-year-old season
Namura Clair finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo on March 30, losing by 0.1 seconds to Satono Reve.[2] She finished eighth in the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) at Hakodate in June.[6] She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in September.[2] She finished second in the Hanshin Cup (GII) at Hanshin in December, losing by a nose to Lugal.[7]
2026: Seven-year-old season and retirement
Namura Clair made her final start in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo on March 29, 2026, ridden by Shun Hamanaka, finishing sixth.[2][8] She was deregistered from JRA competition on April 4, 2026.[9]
Statistics
The following table details all 25 starts of Namura Clair's racing career based on official netkeiba and JBIS records.
| Date | Distance (Condition) | Race | Class | Course | Odds (Favourite) |
Field | Finish | Time | Jockey | Winning (Losing) Margin |
Winner (2nd Place) |
Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 – two-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Aug 1 | Turf 1600 m (Firm) | 2-Y-O Newcomer | Maiden | Niigata | 13.1 (5th) | 17 | 3rd | 1:36.1 | Katsuma Sameshima | 0.7 | Bon Courage | [2] |
| Aug 14 | Turf 1200 m (Heavy) | Phoenix Sho | Open | Kokura | 4.1 (2nd) | 10 | 1st | 1:10.8 | Kohei Matsuyama | –0.1 | (T M Spada) | [2] |
| Sep 5 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Kokura Nisai Stakes | GIII | Kokura | 6.4 (4th) | 10 | 1st | 1:07.9 | Suguru Hamanaka | –0.4 | (Sri Pada) | [2] |
| Nov 6 | Turf 1400 m (Firm) | Fantasy Stakes | GIII | Hanshin | 2.5 (1st) | 10 | 2nd | 1:21.2 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.1 | Water Navillera | [2] |
| Dec 12 | Turf 1600 m (Firm) | Hanshin Juvenile Fillies | GI | Hanshin | 11.9 (6th) | 18 | 5th | 1:34.3 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.5 | Circle of Life | [2] |
| 2022 – three-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Mar 13 | Turf 1400 m (Firm) | Fillies' Revue | GII | Hanshin | 1.7 (1st) | 15 | 2nd | 1:19.9 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.0 | Sublime Anthem | [2] |
| Apr 10 | Turf 1600 m (Firm) | Oka Shō | GI | Hanshin | 14.5 (7th) | 18 | 3rd | 1:33.0 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.1 | Stars on Earth | [2] |
| Jun 12 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Hakodate Sprint Stakes | GIII | Hakodate | 2.1 (1st) | 16 | 1st | 1:07.2 | Suguru Hamanaka | –0.4 | (Jubilee Head) | [2] |
| Aug 21 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Kitakyushu Kinen | GIII | Kokura | 2.1 (1st) | 18 | 3rd | 1:07.1 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.2 | Bon Voyage | [2] |
| Oct 2 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Sprinters Stakes | GI | Nakayama | 2.9 (2nd) | 16 | 5th | 1:08.0 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.2 | Gendarme | [2] |
| 2023 – four-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Jan 29 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Silk Road Stakes | GIII | Chukyo | 4.8 (2nd) | 15 | 1st | 1:07.3 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.0 | (Fast Force) | [2] |
| Mar 26 | Turf 1200 m (Heavy) | Takamatsunomiya Kinen | GI | Chukyo | 5.4 (2nd) | 18 | 2nd | 1:11.6 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.1 | Fast Force | [2] |
| May 14 | Turf 1600 m (Firm) | Victoria Mile | GI | Tokyo | 15.7 (5th) | 16 | 8th | 1:32.9 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.7 | Songline | [2] |
| Aug 27 | Turf 1200 m (Soft) | Keeneland Cup | GIII | Sapporo | 2.4 (1st) | 16 | 1st | 1:09.9 | Suguru Hamanaka | –0.2 | (Cinnamon Stick) | [2] |
| Oct 1 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Sprinters Stakes | GI | Nakayama | 2.9 (1st) | 16 | 3rd | 1:08.2 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.2 | Mama Cocha | [2] |
| 2024 – five-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Feb 17 | Turf 1400 m (Firm) | Kyoto Himba Stakes | GIII | Kyoto | 2.8 (1st) | 18 | 2nd | 1:20.3 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.0 | So Dazzling | [2] |
| Mar 24 | Turf 1200 m (Soft) | Takamatsunomiya Kinen | GI | Chukyo | 5.4 (2nd) | 18 | 2nd | 1:08.9 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.0 | Mad Cool | [2] |
| Aug 25 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Keeneland Cup | GIII | Sapporo | 2.2 (1st) | 16 | 5th | 1:08.3 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.4 | Satono Reve | [2] |
| Sep 29 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Sprinters Stakes | GI | Nakayama | 8.2 (4th) | 16 | 3rd | 1:07.1 | Takeshi Yokoyama | 0.1 | Lugal | [2] |
| Dec 21 | Turf 1400 m (Firm) | Hanshin Cup | GII | Kyoto | 3.7 (1st) | 18 | 1st | 1:20.1 | Christophe Lemaire | –0.1 | (Mad Cool) | [2] |
| 2025 – six-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Mar 30 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Takamatsunomiya Kinen | GI | Chukyo | 3.5 (1st) | 18 | 2nd | 1:08.0 | Christophe Lemaire | 0.1 | Satono Reve | [2] |
| Jun 14 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Hakodate Sprint Stakes | GIII | Hakodate | 1.7 (1st) | 16 | 8th | 1:07.2 | Christophe Lemaire | 0.6 | Ka Pilina | [2] |
| Sep 28 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Sprinters Stakes | GI | Nakayama | 5.7 (2nd) | 16 | 3rd | 1:07.2 | Christophe Lemaire | 0.3 | Win Carnelian | [2] |
| Dec 27 | Turf 1400 m (Firm) | Hanshin Cup | GII | Hanshin | 1.9 (1st) | 16 | 2nd | 1:19.0 | Christophe Lemaire | 0.0 | Lugal | [2] |
| 2026 – seven-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Mar 29 | Turf 1200 m (Firm) | Takamatsunomiya Kinen | GI | Chukyo | 4.0 (2nd) | 18 | 6th | 1:07.1 | Suguru Hamanaka | 0.8 | Satono Reve | [2] |
Post-racing career
Following her retirement, Namura Clair returned to Tanigawa Bokujo in Urakawa, Hokkaido, to become a broodmare.[9] Her first mating was planned with Equinox.[10]
Pedigree
| Sire Mikki Isle (JPN) 2011 |
Deep Impact (JPN) 2002 |
Sunday Silence | Halo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wishing Well | |||
| Wind in Her Hair | Alzao | ||
| Burghclere | |||
| Star Isle (USA) 2004 |
Rock of Gibraltar | Danehill | |
| Offshore Boom | |||
| Isle de France | Nureyev | ||
| Stella Madrid | |||
| Dam Sun Queen II (USA) 2008 |
Storm Cat (USA) 1983 |
Storm Bird | Northern Dancer |
| South Ocean | |||
| Terlingua | Secretariat | ||
| Crimson Saint | |||
| Fountain of Peace (USA) 2002 |
Kris S. | Roberto | |
| Sharp Queen | |||
| Coup de Genie | Mr. Prospector | ||
| Coup de Folie |
- Namura Clair is inbred 4 × 5 to Halo, 4 × 5 to Northern Dancer, and 5 × 5 to Hail to Reason.[3]
- Her half-sister Namura Clara (by Admire Mars) won the 2025 Kōbai Stakes (Listed).[3]
- Her third dam Coup de Genie won the Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre (both GI) in France.[3]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア (Namura Clair) - Profile & Race Record". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 "ナムラクレア 競走成績". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア - 5代血統表". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "【小倉2歳S結果】ナムラクレアが大外から突き抜け2馬身差完勝！ミッキーアイル産駒の連覇". netkeiba (in Japanese). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "【シルクロードS結果】ナムラクレアが競り合いを制して重賞3勝目". netkeiba (in Japanese). 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "【函館スプリントS】単勝1.7倍がまさか… ナムラクレアは8着 ルメール騎手「競走中止した馬の影響で…」". netkeiba (in Japanese). 14 June 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "【阪神C】ルメール騎手「惜しかった」ナムラクレア猛烈追い上げも2着 連覇&牝馬初の5年連続重賞Vならず". netkeiba (in Japanese). 27 December 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "【高松宮記念】引退レースのナムラクレアは悲願のGI初制覇ならず 浜中俊騎手「たくさんコンビを組めたことは自分の財産」". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 29 March 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- 1 2 "ナムラクレアの競走馬登録抹消". JRA (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. 4 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "重賞5勝のナムラクレアが谷川牧場に到着 今年はイクイノックスを配合予定". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 6 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.