Hikiko HomeRice Shower
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Rice Shower at the Japanese Derby
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Rice Shower at the Nikkei Sho
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Rice Shower drawn by me
"The jet-black stayer. Heel or hero? Nightmare or miracle?" - JRA CM "THE WINNER" (Spring Tenno Sho 2012)
Rice Shower (in Japanese: ライスシャワー, March 5, 1989 − June 4, 1995) was a dark bay (almost black) Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse.
He was named after the tradition of throwing rice at a couple for good luck. It was intended that those who touched Rice Shower would also receive good fortune.
Rice had 26 starts, with 3 G1 wins (the highest level of competition). He is notable for stopping Mihono Bourbon's pursuit of the 1992 Classic Triple Crown and Meijiro McQueen's third consecutive Tenno Sho (Spring) win in 1993, earning him the nickname "Black Assasin".
Though his win over Bourbon was impressive, the venue was sadly silent with a reported boo-ing like atmosphere after. Similarly, after the 1993 Tenno Sho (Spring), his jockey was not asked about how he felt about winning the Tenno Sho (Spring) but instead how he felt about preventing McQueen's three streak. Rice missed the 1994 Tenno Sho (Spring) due to an injury but came back and won in 1995. This time, Rice was cheered for his win and became a hero, especially for the people who were recovering from the earthquake earlier that year.
Rice Shower's Passing (June 4, 1995)
The Takarazuka Kinen is a G1 race in Hanshin where the runners are decided by fan vote. In 1995, the race was moved to Kyoto due to an earthquake in Hanshin. Rice Shower was the 3rd favorite for the race. During the 1st corner, his jockey, Hitoshi Matoba, noticed that something was wrong and decided to get Rice Shower to the finish line safely. However, during the third corner, Rice Shower sped up on his own and fell, suffering a fractured left leg. With no possibility of transport to a clinic, a curtain was set up and euthanasia measures were taken. The head stable hand, Kawashima, reportedly cried while clutching Rice Shower's reins. Matoba bowed deeply to the trailer carrying the body away.