Love Michan: first two-year-old ever to be named NAR horse of the year

  PICTURE: NAR  

Two-year-old lands top local-circuit prize

A two-year-old has won the horse of the year title on Japan's NAR (National Association of Racing) circuit for the first time in its 20-year history.

Love Michan, who is trained by Hitoshi Yanae, gained the prize after going unbeaten through her five races in 2009.

The secondary NAR circuit, featuring mainly weekday dirt racing at local-government racecourses, runs alongside the better-known Japan Racing Association programme at top tracks such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Nakayama.

Although it is not as prestigious as the JRA circuit, NAR meetings still feature several richly endowed Grade 1 dirt races on their schedule.

Keita Tosaki: NAR champion jockey

  PICTURE: NAR  

Urawa Kinen winner Blue Lad was named top three-year-old, while Darley's dirt star Furioso retained his title as best older horse.

Best trainer in terms of races won was Teruya Tsunoda, who racked up 239 wins to beat his own record.

Furioso's trainer Masayuki Kawashima topped the prize-money list.

Keita Tosaki was well clear in both races won and earnings among the jockeys.