Mejiro Ardan

Mejiro Ardan was born at Mejiro Stud on March 28, 1985. The early 1980s were considered a horse racing boom in Japan that produced many talented thoroughbreds; those born in 1985 were popular, sometimes as the "strongest generation in history." Other horses foaled that year included Oguri Cap, Yaeno Muteki, Super Creek, and Soccer Boy. The name "Mejiro" originated with the farm he was born at, while "Ardan" was a result of Mejiro Stud's current naming theme for the year which borrowed from famous racehorses of the past. A horse named Ardan had won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1944, though there was no blood relation between the two horses. == Racing career==

Mejiro Ardan won just a single graded race in his career, though he placed well at major races among other horses considered to be strong at the time. However, his weak legs were a detriment throughout his career, forcing him to take several long breaks and eventually causing his retirement. It also pushed his debut back by a year into 1988. 1988: three-year-old season When Mejiro Ardan finally debuted, it was on a dirt course over 1200 meters; the dirt was wet from a storm, which gave him an advantage due to his weak legs. Despite the team's plans to race Mejiro Ardan in the Japan Cup after that, a bowed tendon was discovered in his front-right leg, forcing him into another long hiatus. 1990: five-year-old season Okabe, Ardan's long-time regular jockey, left after the previous Tenno Sho, opting to jockey Yaeno Muteki for his races in 1990 after Yaeno's team offered him the reins for a revival. While Mejiro Ardan had great potential, he still had weak legs, including his bowed tendon. His team planned for a comeback at the Tomoe Sho in Hakodate that August, but he wasn't ready in time. Mejiro Ardan would finally return to racing in the autumn of 1990, where he took 4th at the Sankei Sho All Comers. At the autumn Tenno Sho, he was jockeyed by a young hopeful named Norihiro Yokoyama, who would later go on to win many races. In the last 200 meters, Yaeno Muteki—jockeyed by Okabe—came in all the way on the inside and took the lead to clinch the win, with Ardan getting 2nd place by just a head. His last race of the year was the Arima Kinen that December against powerful racers like Oguri Cap, Mejiro Ryan, and White Stone, but placed poorly despite being the number-two favorite. 1991: six-year-old season Mejiro Ardan began his six-year-old season at the Nikkei Shinshun Hai, where he placed 4th. His bowed tendon flared up after this, leading to his third hiatus. He returned to race again that autumn, but didn't see results, placing 6th at the Fuji Stakes and 14th at the Japan Cup. After desmitis was discovered in his front-left leg, he was retired. == Statistics ==

The following statistics are based on information from netkeiba and JBIS. (*) 2nd place was a dead heat between Nakami Regent and Bold Victor. == Retirement ==

Mejiro Ardan was retired to become a stud horse and went to Breeders Stallion Station. While a few of his progeny saw minor success, like Mejiro Steed (3rd at the American Jockey Club Cup) and Gulfin Dream (2nd at the Niigata Jump Stakes), none would exceed his achievements. He was transferred to China in October 2000. One of his foals there, a horse named Wu Di, would also become a stud horse, winning a stud horse of the year award from the Chinese racing association in 2015. Mejiro Ardan died in 2002 of a heart attack while mating. A grave was erected for him at the farm there. == In popular culture ==

An anthropomorphized depiction of Mejiro Ardan appears in the Umamusume: Pretty Derby multimedia franchise, voice-acted by seiyuu Saya Aizawa. == Pedigree ==