1996 and 1997 Taiki Shuttle was originally slated to enter Fujisawa Stable's Miura training center in the fall of his juvenile year, but the schedule was delayed due to leg injury and hoof suppuration. He entered Fujisawa stable on February 5, 1997. Even after he entered the area, he was affected by an unresolved leg trouble, and the condition deteriorated with training, so his debut was again delayed. His connections' patience paid off as Taiki Shuttle broke his maiden at first asking in a maiden race at
Tokyo Racecourse on April 19, 1997 going 1600 meters on dirt, and won his next two races, including the Shobu Stakes on turf. He tasted defeat in his fourth start when running second to Tenzan Storm in the Bodaiju Stakes at
Hanshin Racecourse. Taiki Shuttle won his first graded stakes next in the Group 3
Unicorn Stakes. He would not be defeated again until his final race. He then won the Group 2
Swan Stakes as a prep race for the
Mile Championship, a prestigious mile race in Japan, which he won. He then won the
Sprinters Stakes to close out the year.
1998 Taiki Shuttle opened 1998 with a win in the Group 3
Keio Hai Spring Cup in May. The next month he won the Group 1
Yasuda Kinen. After the Yasuda Kinen, Taiki Shuttle shipped out to France to run in the Group 1
Prix Jacques Le Marois. He won the race and then went on to win his second Mile Championship. In his final career race, he tried to repeat in the Sprinters Stakes, finishing third behind Meiner Love. Taiki Shuttle was named Horse of the Year, Best Sprinter or Miler, and Best Older Male of 1998 by the Japan Racing Association. == Racing form ==