Pop Rock (horse)
| Pop Rock ポップロック | |
|---|---|
 Pop Rock at Tokyo Racecourse on May 27, 2007 | |
| Breed | Thoroughbred |
| Sire | Helissio |
| Grandsire | Fairy King |
| Dam | Pops |
| Damsire | Sunday Silence |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | March 19, 2001 |
| Died | 26 June 2025 (aged 24)[1] |
| Country | Japan |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Northern Farm |
| Owner | Katsumi Yoshida |
| Racing colours |  |
| Trainer | Katsuhiko Sumii Takashi Kodama |
| Record | 40: 8-5-9[2] |
| Earnings | 511,186,000 JPY +A$825,000 +USD1,000,000 + €16,590 |
| Major wins | |
| Meguro Kinen (2006, 2007) | |
| Last updated on April 6, 2026 | |
Pop Rock (Japanese: ポップロック, Hepburn: Poppu Rokku; March 19, 2001 – June 26, 2025) was a Japanese racehorse and breeding stallion trained by Katsuhiko Sumii. Pop Rock is best known for having placed second in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Damien Oliver.[3][4] By the time the race was run, Pop Rock had effectively become joint favourite.[5] It was Oliver's 17th time racing in the Melbourne Cup.
On his next start, he managed to get the closest to Deep Impact (who won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2005 and the Japan Cup in 2006) in the 2006 Group 1 Arima Kinen and was beaten to second by Admire Moon in the 2007 Japan Cup.[5][6][7]
In 2010 Pop Rock was sold to new owners and was trained in Ireland by Takashi Kodama.[5] He won on his European debut at Galway Racecourse in July 2010.[5] His final race was the Irish St. Leger but he trailed the field and was then retired to stud.[5][8]
Racing career
Early careers (2003–2005)
Pop Rock made his debut on the 2000 metres races at Hanshin Racecourse, where he won the race by half a length over Tamamo Yamato.[9] Then he was winless for the next six races where his best finishes was third place in four races.[10] He managed to score his second win at the Kakitsubata Sho in 2004, winning over Silk Trigger by a neck after surging from the back at the third corner.[11] Then his winless streak continues with three times finishing in third place. His best result in the graded race so far is only in eighth place at the St. Lite Kinen.[10][12]
Popping on form, Australian journey and back to back Meguro Kinen title (2006–2007)
In 2006, Pop Rock won his first race after three third-place finish streak in a 2200 metres races at the Hanshin Racecourse. He stayed on the front pack mostly at the top four position before bursting to the front on fourth corner to win the race by five lengths over Sakura Kingdom.[13] From this race, he continued to win two races after which were Shirasagi Tokubetsu and Shirakawa Tokubetsu before running in the Meguro Kinen, his first G2 races since that St. Lite Kinen in 2004. In this race with a heavy track, he was tracking mostly in the middle of the pack before accelerating at the end and win the race against the 2nd favourite, Eye Popper by a neck.[14] This great form encouraged an excursion journey for the horse in Australia. His first race there was the Caulfield Cup. In this race, he started slowly and roamed in the middle field but failed to gain any improvement throughout the races. He finished in seventh-place in the end, one and a quarter length behind the winner, Tawqeet.[15] The next venture would be the Melbourne Cup. He was the first favourite of the race at 5/1 odds alongside Tawqeet. When the race began, Pop Rock positioned himself in 12th before surging up to ninth position when approaching the straight. Then, he accelerated towards the outside of track and had a final duel for last 100 yards with fellow compatriot, Delta Blues. He finished second at the line just by a shoulder against Delta Blues.[16] This was a one-two finishes from Japanese horse and the third time that the race was won by a foreign horse.[17] After the race, he would returned to Japan and participated in the Arima Kinen. For this race, Pop Rock was not favoured as much by the voters as he only managed to accumulate 13,380 votes, enough for the 20th-place in the standings.[18] Despite that, he ran a great race under Olivier Peslier and finished in second place, three lengths behind Deep Impact.[19]
Pop Rock started his 2007 season by racing in the Kyoto Kinen 17 February. On this day, Pop Rock tried to chase Admire Moon as he made he final spurt right after the fourth corner but failed. Pop Rock ended up finishing in second place by a neck.[20] This is his third straight second place finish in three races.[10] The owner sent him on another expedition which would be in United Arab Emirates this time around. He would ran in the Dubai Sheema Classic next. This time, he was never in contention from the start as he settled on the rear pack and failed to challenge for the lead. He ended up in sixth-place, three and a quarter length behind the winner, Vengeance of Rain.[21] He returned back to Japan and ran in the race he won the previous year which was the Meguro Kinen. This time ridden by Yutaka Take, Pop Rock made a breakaway from the inside track at the final straight and held off Coconut Punch at the line to win by a neck.[22] He joined the Takarazuka Kinen next when he became the tenth most voted horse at 28,866 votes from the public.[23] He ended up in third place behind the winner Admire Moon and Meisho Samson.[24] For the autumn campaign, there were plans by the trainer, Sumii to sent both him and Delta Blues back for a second going in the Melbourne Cup. This plan was scrapped as the equine influenza was hitting both horses during their resting time.[25] He returned on the Kyoto Daishoten where he lost the duel against Inti Raimi at the final homestretch and finished in second place by a neck.[26] Next, he started at the Tenno Sho (Autumn). He finished fourth for this race. Peslier who returned on his saddle explained that he tried to maneuver Pop Rock into a good position but a barge of horses came from the outside prevented it. Pop Rock tried to extend more than he could but the distance just not enough.[27] For the next race in the Japan Cup, the competition would be at its peak. From the final stretch, Pop Rock, Meisho Samson, Admire Moon and Vodka rallied for the win with Vodka fading out before the line and the other three hit the line in three-way photo finish. Pop Rock ended up in second place again behind Admire Moon by a head.[28] He finished the season with a run at the Arima Kinen for the second successive year. In this year with full of upset finishes without top-3 favourite on the podium, Pop Rock who was the 2nd favourite finished fifth, five lengths behind the winner Matsurida Gogh.[29]
Final podium, decline in form, moving to Ireland and retirement (2008–2010)
Instead of going on another Dubai trip, Pop Rock started the season at the Hanshin Daishoten in March. For this race, Pop Rock tracked mostly on the front group but failed to rally for the lead and finished in third place, two and half lengths behind Admire Jupiter and a neck behind second place, Eye Popper.[30] This race turned out to be his final good performance in Japan as he missed the podium for his next eight start from 2008 until 2010.[10] He was sent out to Takashi Kodama stable in Ireland as a move to revive his career again in which his JRA registration would be terminated.[31] He did well under Fran Berry when he won his debut Guinness Races at the Galway Racecourse by two and half lengths over Caesar's Song.[32][33] Then, he ran in the Irish St. Leger next. This race was disastrous for Pop Rock as Berry slowed him down on the final straight due to discomfort for the horse as he finished last in the race, 49 lengths behind the winner.[34] The post race examination found that Pop Rock developed superficial digital flexor tendonitis in his right foreleg, and it was decided that he would retire from racing and going to stud.[35]
Racing form
Pop Rock would win eight races and hit the podium 13 times (with three second places finish in G1 races) out of 40 starts. This data is available based on JBIS,[2] netkeiba,[10] racingpost[15][16][21] and Horse Racing Ireland.[32][34]
| Date | Racecourse | Race | Grade | Distance (Condition) |
Entry | HN | Odds
(Favored) |
Finish | Time | Margins | Jockey | Winner
(Runner-up) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 – two-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Sep 14 | Hanshin | 2yo Newcomer | 2,000 m (Firm) | 9 | 2 | 3.7 (2) | 1st | 2:04.7 | –0.1 | Katsumi Ando | (Tamamo Yamato) | |
| Nov 29 | Kyoto | Kyoto Nisai Stakes | OP | 2,000 m (Heavy) | 8 | 3 | 11.6 (5) | 4th | 2:07.4 | 0.6 | Richard Hughes | Mystic Age |
| Dec 20 | Chukyo | Chukyo Nisai Stakes | OP | 1,700 m (Sloppy) | 15 | 1 | 4.7 (3) | 3rd | 1:46.9 | 0.3 | Richard Hughes | Black Condor |
| 2004 – three-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Jan 24 | Kyoto | Wakagoma Stakes | OP | 2,000 m (Firm) | 10 | 9 | 9.9 (3) | 3rd | 2:03.1 | 0.6 | Yasunari Iwata | Black Tide |
| Mar 13 | Hanshin | Yukiyanagi Sho | ALW (1W) | 2,200 m (Firm) | 13 | 1 | 3.2 (2) | 6th | 2:15.1 | 0.3 | Yasunari Iwata | Stratagem |
| Apr 4 | Hanshin | 3yo Allowance | 1W | 2,500 m (Good) | 11 | 8 | 5.0 (3) | 3rd | 2:38.2 | 0.3 | Katsumi Ando | Cosmo Stage |
| Apr 24 | Kyoto | Moonee Valley Racing Club Sho | ALW (1W) | 2,400 m (Firm) | 10 | 9 | 2.1 (1) | 3rd | 2:28.3 | 0.3 | Katsumi Ando | Chikiri Sansan |
| May 29 | Chukyo | Kakitsubata Sho | ALW (1W) | 2,500 m (Firm) | 11 | 9 | 3.4 (2) | 1st | 2:34.5 | 0.0 | Katsumi Ando | (Silk Trigger) |
| Aug 21 | Sapporo | Shikotsuko Tokubetsu | ALW (2W) | 2,600 m (Soft) | 11 | 8 | 10.4 (6) | 6th | 2:46.6 | 1.0 | Masayoshi Ebina | Meisho Kachidoki |
| Sep 19 | Nakayama | St. Lite Kinen | 2 | 2,200 m (Firm) | 15 | 7 | 37.2 (7) | 8th | 2:11.2 | 1.1 | Hirofumi Shii | Cosmo Bulk |
| Oct 9 | Kyoto | Narutaki Tokubetsu | ALW (2W) | 2,400 m (Good) | 9 | 6 | 9.9 (5) | 9th | 2:32.1 | 5.1 | Koshiro Take | T M Generous |
| 2005 – four-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Sep 25 | Hanshin | 3yo+ Allowance | 1W | 2,500 m (Firm) | 13 | 4 | 8.8 (5) | 3rd | 2:35.1 | 0.6 | Hirofumi Shii | Mayano Liberty |
| Oct 16 | Kyoto | 3yo+ Allowance | 1W | 2,400 m (Firm) | 15 | 7 | 3.1 (1) | 3rd | 2:27.4 | 0.2 | Norihiro Yokoyama | Bayreuth |
| 2006 – five-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Jan 21 | Kokura | 4yo+ Allowance | 1W | 2,400 m (Fast) | 15 | 10 | 3.9 (2) | 3rd | 2:38.4 | 1.0 | Marco Monteriso | Fumino Blue Sky |
| Apr 9 | Hanshin | 4yo+ Allowance | 1W | 2,200 m (Firm) | 16 | 12 | 6.0 (3) | 1st | 2:15.4 | –0.8 | Hirofumi Shii | (Sakura Kingdom) |
| Apr 16 | Hanshin | Shirasagi Tokubetsu | ALW (2W) | 2,500 m (Good) | 12 | 11 | 2.4 (1) | 1st | 2:35.9 | –0.2 | Yuga Kawada | (Machikaneumajirusi) |
| May 13 | Kyoto | Shirakawa Tokubetsu | ALW (2W) | 2,400 m (Heavy) | 12 | 1 | 2.4 (1) | 1st | 2:30.5 | –1.0 | Yasunari Iwata | (Battle Brave) |
| May 28 | Tokyo | Meguro Kinen | 2 | 2,500 m (Good) | 17 | 7 | 6.7 (3) | 1st | 2:33.1 | 0.0 | Yuga Kawada | (Eye Popper) |
| Oct 21 | Caulfield | Caulfield Cup | 1 | 2,400 m (Good) | 18 | 11 | 12/1 (5) | 7th | 2:28.0 | 0.3 | Damien Oliver | Tawqeet |
| Nov 7 | Flemington | Melbourne Cup | 1 | 3,200 m (Good) | 24 | 12 | 5/1 (1) | 2nd | 3:21.5 | 0.0 | Damien Oliver | Delta Blues |
| Dec 24 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | 1 | 2,500 m (Firm) | 14 | 1 | 31.1 (6) | 2nd | 2:32.4 | 0.5 | Olivier Peslier | Deep Impact |
| 2007 – six-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Feb 17 | Kyoto | Kyoto Kinen | 2 | 2,200 m (Good) | 14 | 3 | 2.2 (1) | 2nd | 2:17.2 | 0.0 | Olivier Peslier | Admire Moon |
| Mar 31 | Nad Al Sheba | Dubai Sheema Classic | 1 | 2,400 m (Good) | 14 | 10 | 9/2 (2) | 6th | 2:31.6 | 0.6 | Olivier Peslier | Vengeance of Rain |
| May 27 | Tokyo | Meguro Kinen | 2 | 2,500 m (Firm) | 18 | 2 | 2.9 (1) | 1st | 2:31.4 | 0.0 | Yutaka Take | (Coconut Punch) |
| Jun 24 | Hanshin | Takarazuka Kinen | 1 | 2,200 m (Good) | 18 | 5 | 6.9 (4) | 3rd | 2:12.8 | 0.4 | Yutaka Take | Admire Moon |
| Oct 7 | Kyoto | Kyoto Daishoten | 2 | 2,400 m (Firm) | 10 | 3 | 2.1 (1) | 2nd | 2:24.8 | 0.0 | Hirofumi Shii | Inti Raimi |
| Oct 28 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | 1 | 2,000 m (Good) | 16 | 15 | 6.1 (4) | 4th | 1:59.0 | 0.6 | Olivier Peslier | Meisho Samson |
| Nov 25 | Tokyo | Japan Cup | 1 | 2,400 m (Firm) | 18 | 2 | 10.5 (4) | 2nd | 2:24.7 | 0.0 | Olivier Peslier | Admire Moon |
| Dec 23 | Nakayama | Arima Kinen | 1 | 2,500 m (Good) | 15 | 6 | 5.0 (2) | 5th | 2:34.5 | 0.9 | Olivier Peslier | Matsurida Gogh |
| 2008 – seven-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Mar 28 | Hanshin | Hanshin Daishoten | 2 | 3,000 m (Firm) | 13 | 3 | 1.9 (1) | 3rd | 3:09.2 | 0.5 | Yutaka Take | Admire Jupiter |
| May 4 | Kyoto | Tenno Sho (Spring) | 1 | 3,200 m (Firm) | 14 | 10 | 8.4 (4) | 12th | 3:17.4 | 2.3 | Hiroyuki Uchida | Admire Jupiter |
| Oct 12 | Kyoto | Kyoto Daishoten | 2 | 2,400 m (Firm) | 10 | 1 | 7.3 (3) | 7th | 2:27.2 | 0.3 | Hiroyuki Uchida | Toho Alan |
| Nov 2 | Tokyo | Tenno Sho (Autumn) | 1 | 2,000 m (Firm) | 17 | 8 | 4.1 (9) | 14th | 1:58.3 | 1.1 | Hiroyuki Uchida | Vodka |
| 2009 – eight-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| May 3 | Kyoto | Tenno Sho (Spring) | 1 | 3,200 m (Firm) | 18 | 7 | 89.4 (16) | 8th | 3:15.2 | 0.8 | Yuga Kawada | Meiner Kitz |
| May 31 | Tokyo | Meguro Kinen | 2 | 2,500 m (Heavy) | 18 | 8 | 19.1 (6) | 11th | 2:42.0 | 3.0 | Yuga Kawada | Miyabi Ranveli |
| Dec 5 | Nakayama | Stayers Stakes | 2 | 3,600 m (Good) | 16 | 6 | 14.2 (6) | 14th | 3:52.7 | 1.4 | Mirco Demuro | Forgettable |
| 2010 – nine-year-old season | ||||||||||||
| Jan 5 | Kyoto | Manyo Stakes | OP | 3,000 m (Firm) | 13 | 5 | 17.5 (7) | 5th | 3:07.4 | 0.6 | Yasunari Iwata | Tokai Trick |
| Feb 14 | Tokyo | Diamond Stakes | 3 | 3,400 m (Firm) | 15 | 12 | 51.4 (9) | 11th | 3:33.6 | 1.0 | Katsuharu Tanaka | Forgettable |
| Jul 30 | Galway | Guinness Race | 14 f (Firm) | 11 | 12 | 9/2 (5) | 1st | 3:10.2 | 0.5 | Fran Berry | (Caesar's Song) | |
| Sep 11 | Curragh | Irish St. Leger | 1 | 14 f (Firm) | 8 | 2 | 9/11 (4) | 8th | 3:20.1 | 9.8 | Fran Berry | Sans Frontieres |
Legend:
Turf
Dirt
Stud record and death
When he retired, he became a stud at Napajedla stud in the Czech Republic. His two most noteworthy progenies were Kalypso of Gracie, a 2014 Slovak two-year-old colt champion and Golden Devil, who finished third in the Czech St. Leger.[35] He continued to be a stud until he died on 26 June 2025 at age 24.[1]
Pedigree
| Sire Helissio[36] |
Fairy King | Northern Dancer | Nearctic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natalma | |||
| Fairy Bridge | Bold Reason | ||
| Special | |||
| Helice | Slewpy | Seattle Slew | |
| Rare Bouquet | |||
| Hirondelle | Val de l'Orne | ||
| Hermanville | |||
| Dam Pops[36] |
Sunday Silence | Halo | Hail to Reason |
| Cosmah | |||
| Wishing Well | Understanding | ||
| Mountain Flower | |||
| Pop Singer | Secretariat | Bold Ruler | |
| Somethingroyal | |||
| Icy Pop | Icecapade | ||
| Calaki (F-No. 7-c) |
References
- 1 2 "Uhynul Pop Rock. Šampión otců dvouletých a otec dvou slovenských šampiónů". Fitmin Turf Magazine (in Czech). 2018-04-27. Archived from the original on 2025-06-30. Retrieved 2023-08-07.
- 1 2 "Race Records | Pop Rock (JPN)". www.jbis.jp. Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Delta Blues takes Melbourne Cup". BBC News. 2006-11-07. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ↑ Pandaram, Jamie (2006-11-08). "Japanese storm home for a Cup double". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Racing Post's Irish team offer their favourite Galway memories". Racing Post. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ↑ "Arima Kinen (Grade 1) results". Racing Post. 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ↑ "Japan Cup (Grade 1) results". Racing Post. 2007-11-25. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ↑ "The Irish Field St. Leger (Group 1) results". Racing Post. 2010-09-11. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ↑ "2yo Debut Full Result | R4". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 14 September 2003. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Pop Rock Race Record and Form | Horse Profile". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Kakitsubata Sho Full Result | R9". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 29 May 2004. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "R.F. Radio Nippon Sho St. Lite Kinen (G2) Full Result | R11". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 19 September 2004. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "4yo+ ALW (1 Win) Full Result | R7". netkeiba. NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 9 April 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "目黒記念、ポップロック重賞初制覇" [Pop Rock wins first graded stakes race at Meguro Memorial.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "BMW Caulfield Cup (Group 1) (Handicap)". racingpost.com. 21 October 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Emirates Melbourne Cup (Group 1) (Handicap)". racingpost.com. 7 November 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Delta Blues wins Melbourne Cup". The Guardian. 7 November 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "有馬記念ファン投票最終結果、ディープインパクトが1位" [The final results of the Arima Kinen fan vote show Deep Impact in first place.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 7 December 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "Deep Impact Retired; Japanese Star Won 12 of 14 Starts". Bloodhorse. 24 December 2006. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "京都記念、アドマイヤムーンが帰国初戦を飾る" [Admire Moon wins the Kyoto Memorial, marking its first race back in Japan.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 17 February 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Dubai Sheema Classic (Sponsored By Nakheel) (Group 1) (Turf)". racingpost. 31 May 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "目黒記念、ポップロックが連覇" [Pop Rock wins Meguro Memorial for the second consecutive year.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 27 May 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "宝塚記念ファン投票最終結果、メイショウサムソンが1位". netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "宝塚記念、アドマイヤムーンが国内GI初制覇" [Takarazuka Kinen: Admire Moon achieves first domestic GI victory]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 24 June 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "デルタブルース&ポップロック、豪遠征断念" [Delta Blues & Pop Rock band cancels Australian tour.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 29 August 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "京都大賞典、インティライミが重賞連勝" [Kyoto Daishoten: Inti Raimi achieves consecutive graded stakes victories]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 7 October 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "天皇賞・秋騎手コメント [本当に強かった]" [Comments from jockeys in the Tenno Sho (Autumn): "They were truly strong."]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 28 October 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ Shandler, Jason (25 November 2007). "Admire Moon Hangs on For Japan Cup". Bloodhorse. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "有馬記念、マツリダゴッホが大波乱演出" [Matsurida Gogh causes a major upset at the Arima Kinen.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 23 December 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "阪神大賞典、アドマイヤジュピタが重賞2勝目" [Admire Jupiter wins its second graded stakes race, the Hanshin Daishoten.]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 23 March 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "ポップロック中央競馬に別れ...愛国で現役続行！（競馬）" [Pop Rock bids farewell to Central Racing... to continue his career at Ireland! (Horse Racing)]. www.sponichi.co.jp (in Japanese). 19 February 2010. Archived from the original on 24 February 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Guinness Race Result". Horse Racing Ireland. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- ↑ "ポップロックがアイルランドで勝利" [Pop rock wins in Ireland]. netkeiba (in Japanese). NET DREAMERS, Co., Ltd. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "The Irish Field St. Leger (Group 1) Race Result". Horse Racing Ireland. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 Hanaoka, Takako (28 December 2025). "有馬記念2着馬のポップロック、チェコで"自由"な老後を過ごしたあとに亡くなる #エキスパートトピ（花岡貴子） - エキスパート" [Pop Rock, the runner-up in the Arima Kinen, passed away after enjoying a "free" retirement in the Czech Republic]. Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 6 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Pop Rock profile". Racing Post. Retrieved 2020-01-02.