On March 12, 2025, the 70th Daiolite Memorial (JPNII) was held at the Funabashi Racecourse, attracting attention as one of the longest dirt graded races of the season. There were 13 competitors, including horses from JRA and local racing associations. Among them, the spotlight shone brightly on Seraphic Call, who aimed for back-to-back victories after her previous triumph the year before.
Seraphic Call, a five-year-old mare trained by Ryo Terashima, emerged the winner, proving her mettle yet again under the skilled guidance of jockey Mirco Demuro. Ridden as the second favorite, her finishing time was clocked at 2 minutes 34.7 seconds. This marked her third graded stakes victory, showcasing her prowess on the track.
The thrilling finish saw Seraphic Call gradually close the gap on Grand Bridge, who had made the early lead, managing to claim victory by just neck at the wire. This win was significant as it not only affirmed her capabilities but also solidified her status as one of the top competitors within the circuit.
Demuro expressed his elation after the race, stating: "I am very happy. I trusted the horse, and I believed it had the legs to push up against the competition. Despite showing some stubbornness at times, I was confident she would perform well. She has the will to win, which is quite strong." His comments reflect the bond and trust established between the jockey and horse, pivotal to Seraphic Call’s performance.
The race featured other notable competitors like Grand Bridge, ridden by Masaya Kawada, who finished second, and Meisho Fujin, under the guidance of Manabu Sakai, who took third place. Both horses represent JRA, continuing the organization's dominance at the Daiolite Memorial as JRA horses have now won for three consecutive years.
This year's event held extra significance as not only was it the 70th iteration, but it also stands out as the longest distance for dirt graded races in Japan since the distance shortening of the Nagoya Grand Prix two years ago. This aspect attracted many long-distance specialists from various parts of Japan.
Seraphic Call had previously hit a bump on her racing agenda, finishing 12th at the Champions Cup prior to this race. Following this disappointment, her trainer Terashima noted the need for adjustments. He recalled, "Our plan was to have her run closer to the inside, but she ended up moving wide throughout the race, which affected her performance significantly." Clearly, lessons from past races influenced their strategies leading to the Daiolite Memorial.
To prepare, changes were made to Seraphic Call's equipment, swapping from blinkers to just the headstall. Terashima mentioned before the race, "I wanted her to feel more comfortable and to manage her pace effectively. It was important to let her run at her rhythm, especially on such a long distance track." This strategic approach played well, allowing Seraphic Call to run effectively and showcase her competitive spirit.
With this win, Seraphic Call joined the ranks of elite competitors who have earned multiple victories at the Daiolite Memorial since its inception as an exchange event with JRA. Horses like Abukuma Polo, Julio, and Chris Light have also left their mark on this prestigious race.
The race's outcome reflected not just the personal triumphs of these athletes but also the performance dynamics at play within the racing field. The completion of the event provided fans with unforgettable moments, as the top contenders battled it out for glory.
Looking forward, many fans and experts are eager to speculate how Seraphic Call's next moves will play out and whether she can continue her winning streak, potentially eyeing both national and international stage victories. They will surely watch as she competes against other seasoned racers, including competitors like Grand Bridge and Meisho Fujin, who remain formidable, even after this race.
The Daiolite Memorial remains one of the key fixtures on the horse racing calendar each year, highlighting both the competitive spirit of the sport and the endurance of these magnificent animals over long distances. With Seraphic Call's notable victory, the anticipation builds to see how this season will progress.
This enchanting day at Funabashi not only crowned Seraphic Call as the king of the dirt once again but marked another pivotal moment for horse racing enthusiasts across Japan, highlighting the unique bond shared between horse and rider, the intricacies of the race itself, and the rich culture surrounding this historical sport.