A Shin Hikari (Japanese: エイシンヒカリ, foaled 3 May 2011) is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and owned by Eishindo Co. Ltd., he was trained throughout his career by Masanori Sakaguchi and primarily ridden by jockey Yutaka Take. Over a racing career spanning from 2014 to 2016, A Shin Hikari compiled a record of 15 starts with 10 wins, earning ¥437,617,200. He is notable for victories in major domestic races such as the Mijakooji Stakes, Epsom Cup, and Mainichi Okan, as well as international successes including the 2015 Hong Kong Cup and the 2016 Prix d'Ispahan in France. In the 2016 edition of the World's Best Racehorse Rankings, he was rated the top racehorse in the world, receiving a rating of 133.
Background and Pedigree
A Shin Hikari is a grey stallion from the fourth crop of foals sired by Deep Impact, a celebrated Japanese Horse of the Year (2005, 2006) and influential sire. His dam, Catalina, was a Florida‑bred mare who raced in the United States before being exported to Japan as a broodmare. Catalina is a great‑granddaughter of the American broodmare Lea Lark, linking A Shin Hikari to a lineage that includes notable horses such as Tobougg, Miswaki, and Almutawakel. The “A Shin” prefix in his name reflects the naming convention used by his owners, many of whose horses bear the “A Shin” or “Eishin” prefix.
Racing Career
2014 – Three‑year‑old season
A Shin Hikari debuted as a three‑year‑old, winning his maiden race over 1,800 m at Kyoto Racecourse on 26 April 2014. He continued an unbeaten streak through five consecutive victories, culminating in a win in the Listed Ireland Trophy (1800 m, Tokyo) on 19 October. His first defeat came in the Grade 3 Challenge Cup at Hanshin on 13 December, where he finished unplaced.
2015 – Four‑year‑old season
He opened the season with a win in the Listed Miyakooji Stakes (1800 m, Kyoto). He then captured the Grade 3 Epsom Cup (1800 m, Tokyo) in June and the Grade 2 Mainichi Okan (1900 m, Tokyo) in October, defeating a strong field that included Island Bonita and Spielberg. A Shin Hikari finished ninth in the autumn Tenno Sho (3200 m, Tokyo) and achieved his first major international triumph by winning the Hong Kong Cup (2000 m, Sha Tin) on 13 December, setting a race‑record time of 2:00.6. His performances earned him a rating of 123 in the 2015 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, making him the top‑rated Japanese horse and the eighth‑ranked globally.
2016 – Five‑year‑old season
After a six‑month break, A Shin Hikari was sent to Europe, where he dominated the Prix d'Ispahan (1850 m, Chantilly) on 24 May, winning by ten lengths on heavy ground. The victory propelled him to the top of the 2016 World’s Best Racehorse Rankings with a rating of 133, the highest of any horse that year. He subsequently contested the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing last after leading early in the race. Later in the season, he placed eighth in the autumn Tenno Sho (3200 m, Kyoto) and finished tenth in a repeat attempt at the Hong Kong Cup in December.
Retirement and Stud Career
Following his final race in December 2016, A Shin Hikari was retired from racing. He stands at stud in Japan, where his pedigree—particularly his sire Deep Impact and dam line descending from Lea Lark—makes him a valuable breeding prospect.
Major Wins
- Ireland Trophy (Listed, 2014)
- Miyakooji Stakes (Listed, 2015)
- Epsom Cup (Grade 3, 2015)
- Mainichi Okan (Grade 2, 2015)
- Hong Kong Cup (Group 1, 2015)
- Prix d'Ispahan (Group 1, 2016)
Honours
- Top‑rated Japanese horse (2016)
- World’s Best Racehorse Rankings leader (2016) – rating 133
A Shin Hikari is regarded as one of the most successful Japanese racehorses of the mid‑2010s, noted for his versatility across distances, ability to compete internationally, and high global ratings.