Namura Clair

Namura Clair
ナムラクレア
Namura Clair; ナムラクレア
	Namura Clair at the 2022 Oka Shō
Breed	Thoroughbred
Sire	Mikki Isle
Grandsire	Deep Impact
Dam	Sun Queen II
Damsire	Storm Cat
Sex	Mare
Foaled	30 March 2019
Country	Japan
Colour	Dark bay
Breeder	Tanigawa Bokujo
Owner	Mutsuhiro Namura
Racing colours
Trainer	Kodai Hasegawa
Jockey	Suguru Hamanaka; Christophe Lemaire
Record	25: 6-7-5
Earnings	¥732,822,000
Major wins
	Hanshin Cup (2024); Kokura Nisai Stakes (2021); Hakodate Sprint Stakes (2022); Silk Road Stakes (2023); Keeneland Cup (2023)

Namura Clair (Japanese: ナムラクレア, Hepburn: Namura Kurea; 30 March 2019) is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. She competed from 2021 to 2026, recording six wins in twenty-five starts, including the Hanshin Cup (GII) in 2024, the Kokura Nisai Stakes (GIII) in 2021, the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) in 2022, the Silk Road Stakes (GIII) and Keeneland Cup (GIII) in 2023. She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) in three consecutive years (2023–2025) and third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) in three consecutive years (2023–2025).

Background

Namura Clair is a dark bay mare bred in Urakawa, Hokkaido, by Tanigawa Bokujo. She was sired by Mikki Isle, a son of Deep Impact, and her dam was Sun Queen II, an American-bred mare by Storm Cat. Her racing name combines the "Namura" prefix used by owner Mutsuhiro Namura with "Clair," a female given name. She was sent into training with Kodai Hasegawa at the JRA's Ritto Training Center.

Racing career

2021: Two-year-old season

Namura Clair debuted on August 1, 2021, in a maiden race on the turf at Niigata Racecourse, finishing third. She won the Phoenix Sho (Open) at Kokura Racecourse on August 14. On September 5, she won the Kokura Nisai Stakes (GIII) at Kokura, ridden by Suguru Hamanaka, defeating Threeperda by 0.4 seconds. She finished second in the Fantasy Stakes (GIII) at Hanshin Racecourse in November and fifth in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (GI) in December.

2022: Three-year-old season

Namura Clair finished second in the Fillies' Revue (GII) at Hanshin in March. She finished third in the Oka Shō (GI) at Hanshin in April. On June 12, she won the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) at Hakodate Racecourse, carrying 50 kg, in a time of 1:07.2. She finished third in the Kitakyushu Kinen (GIII) at Kokura in August and fifth in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama Racecourse in October.

2023: Four-year-old season

On January 29, Namura Clair won the Silk Road Stakes (GIII) at Chukyo Racecourse, defeating Fast Force by a head. She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo in March, losing by 0.1 seconds to Fast Force on a heavy track. She finished eighth in the Victoria Mile (GI) at Tokyo Racecourse in May.

On August 27, she won the Keeneland Cup (GIII) at Sapporo Racecourse, defeating Cinnamon Stick by 0.2 seconds. She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in October, losing by 0.2 seconds to Mama Cocha.

2024: Five-year-old season

Namura Clair finished second in the Kyoto Himba Stakes (GIII) at Kyoto Racecourse in February. She finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo in March, losing by a head to Mad Cool. She finished fifth in the Keeneland Cup (GIII) at Sapporo in August. She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in September, ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama.

On December 21, she won the Hanshin Cup (GII) at Kyoto, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, defeating Mad Cool by 0.1 seconds.

2025: Six-year-old season

Namura Clair finished second in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo on March 30, losing by 0.1 seconds to Satono Reve. She finished eighth in the Hakodate Sprint Stakes (GIII) at Hakodate in June. She finished third in the Sprinters Stakes (GI) at Nakayama in September. She finished second in the Hanshin Cup (GII) at Hanshin in December, losing by a nose to Lugal.

2026: Seven-year-old season and retirement

Namura Clair made her final start in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (GI) at Chukyo on March 29, 2026, ridden by Shun Hamanaka, finishing sixth. She was deregistered from JRA competition on April 4, 2026.

Statistics

The following table details all 25 starts of Namura Clair's racing career based on official netkeiba and JBIS records.

Date	Distance (Condition)	Race	Class	Course	Odds (Favourite)	Field	Finish	Time	Jockey	Winning (Losing) Margin	Winner (2nd Place)
2021 – two-year-old season
Aug 1	Turf 1600 m (Firm)	2-Y-O Newcomer	Maiden	Niigata	13.1 (5th)	17	3rd	1:36.1	Katsuma Sameshima	0.7	Bon Courage
Aug 14	Turf 1200 m (Heavy)	Phoenix Sho	Open	Kokura	4.1 (2nd)	10	1st	1:10.8	Kohei Matsuyama	–0.1	(T M Spada)
Sep 5	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Kokura Nisai Stakes	GIII	Kokura	6.4 (4th)	10	1st	1:07.9	Suguru Hamanaka	–0.4	(Sri Pada)
Nov 6	Turf 1400 m (Firm)	Fantasy Stakes	GIII	Hanshin	2.5 (1st)	10	2nd	1:21.2	Suguru Hamanaka	0.1	Water Navillera
Dec 12	Turf 1600 m (Firm)	Hanshin Juvenile Fillies	GI	Hanshin	11.9 (6th)	18	5th	1:34.3	Suguru Hamanaka	0.5	Circle of Life
2022 – three-year-old season
Mar 13	Turf 1400 m (Firm)	Fillies' Revue	GII	Hanshin	1.7 (1st)	15	2nd	1:19.9	Suguru Hamanaka	0.0	Sublime Anthem
Apr 10	Turf 1600 m (Firm)	Oka Shō	GI	Hanshin	14.5 (7th)	18	3rd	1:33.0	Suguru Hamanaka	0.1	Stars on Earth
Jun 12	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Hakodate Sprint Stakes	GIII	Hakodate	2.1 (1st)	16	1st	1:07.2	Suguru Hamanaka	–0.4	(Jubilee Head)
Aug 21	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Kitakyushu Kinen	GIII	Kokura	2.1 (1st)	18	3rd	1:07.1	Suguru Hamanaka	0.2	Bon Voyage
Oct 2	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Sprinters Stakes	GI	Nakayama	2.9 (2nd)	16	5th	1:08.0	Suguru Hamanaka	0.2	Gendarme
2023 – four-year-old season
Jan 29	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Silk Road Stakes	GIII	Chukyo	4.8 (2nd)	15	1st	1:07.3	Suguru Hamanaka	0.0	(Fast Force)
Mar 26	Turf 1200 m (Heavy)	Takamatsunomiya Kinen	GI	Chukyo	5.4 (2nd)	18	2nd	1:11.6	Suguru Hamanaka	0.1	Fast Force
May 14	Turf 1600 m (Firm)	Victoria Mile	GI	Tokyo	15.7 (5th)	16	8th	1:32.9	Suguru Hamanaka	0.7	Songline
Aug 27	Turf 1200 m (Soft)	Keeneland Cup	GIII	Sapporo	2.4 (1st)	16	1st	1:09.9	Suguru Hamanaka	–0.2	(Cinnamon Stick)
Oct 1	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Sprinters Stakes	GI	Nakayama	2.9 (1st)	16	3rd	1:08.2	Suguru Hamanaka	0.2	Mama Cocha
2024 – five-year-old season
Feb 17	Turf 1400 m (Firm)	Kyoto Himba Stakes	GIII	Kyoto	2.8 (1st)	18	2nd	1:20.3	Suguru Hamanaka	0.0	So Dazzling
Mar 24	Turf 1200 m (Soft)	Takamatsunomiya Kinen	GI	Chukyo	5.4 (2nd)	18	2nd	1:08.9	Suguru Hamanaka	0.0	Mad Cool
Aug 25	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Keeneland Cup	GIII	Sapporo	2.2 (1st)	16	5th	1:08.3	Suguru Hamanaka	0.4	Satono Reve
Sep 29	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Sprinters Stakes	GI	Nakayama	8.2 (4th)	16	3rd	1:07.1	Takeshi Yokoyama	0.1	Lugal
Dec 21	Turf 1400 m (Firm)	Hanshin Cup	GII	Kyoto	3.7 (1st)	18	1st	1:20.1	Christophe Lemaire	–0.1	(Mad Cool)
2025 – six-year-old season
Mar 30	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Takamatsunomiya Kinen	GI	Chukyo	3.5 (1st)	18	2nd	1:08.0	Christophe Lemaire	0.1	Satono Reve
Jun 14	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Hakodate Sprint Stakes	GIII	Hakodate	1.7 (1st)	16	8th	1:07.2	Christophe Lemaire	0.6	Ka Pilina
Sep 28	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Sprinters Stakes	GI	Nakayama	5.7 (2nd)	16	3rd	1:07.2	Christophe Lemaire	0.3	Win Carnelian
Dec 27	Turf 1400 m (Firm)	Hanshin Cup	GII	Hanshin	1.9 (1st)	16	2nd	1:19.0	Christophe Lemaire	0.0	Lugal
2026 – seven-year-old season
Mar 29	Turf 1200 m (Firm)	Takamatsunomiya Kinen	GI	Chukyo	4.0 (2nd)	18	6th	1:07.1	Suguru Hamanaka	0.8	Satono Reve

Post-racing career

Following her retirement, Namura Clair returned to Tanigawa Bokujo in Urakawa, Hokkaido, to become a broodmare. Her first mating was planned with Equinox.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Namura Clair (JPN)
Sire Mikki Isle (JPN) 2011	Deep Impact (JPN) 2002	Sunday Silence	Halo
		Sunday Silence	Wishing Well
		Wind in Her Hair	Alzao
		Wind in Her Hair	Burghclere
	Star Isle (USA) 2004	Rock of Gibraltar	Danehill
		Rock of Gibraltar	Offshore Boom
		Isle de France	Nureyev
		Isle de France	Stella Madrid
Dam Sun Queen II (USA) 2008	Storm Cat (USA) 1983	Storm Bird	Northern Dancer
		Storm Bird	South Ocean
		Terlingua	Secretariat
		Terlingua	Crimson Saint
	Fountain of Peace (USA) 2002	Kris S.	Roberto
		Kris S.	Sharp Queen
		Coup de Genie	Mr. Prospector
		Coup de Genie	Coup de Folie

Namura Clair is inbred 4 × 5 to Halo, 4 × 5 to Northern Dancer, and 5 × 5 to Hail to Reason.
Her half-sister Namura Clara (by Admire Mars) won the 2025 Kōbai Stakes (Listed).
Her third dam Coup de Genie won the Prix Morny and Prix de la Salamandre (both GI) in France.

References

1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア (Namura Clair) - Profile & Race Record". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 "ナムラクレア競走成績". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 July 2026.
1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア - 5代血統表". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "【小倉2歳S結果】ナムラクレアが大外から突き抜け2馬身差完勝！ミッキーアイル産駒の連覇". netkeiba (in Japanese). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "【シルクロードS結果】ナムラクレアが競り合いを制して重賞3勝目". netkeiba (in Japanese). 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "【函館スプリントS】単勝1.7倍がまさか… ナムラクレアは8着ルメール騎手「競走中止した馬の影響で…」". netkeiba (in Japanese). 14 June 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "【阪神C】ルメール騎手「惜しかった」ナムラクレア猛烈追い上げも2着連覇&牝馬初の5年連続重賞Vならず". netkeiba (in Japanese). 27 December 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "【高松宮記念】引退レースのナムラクレアは悲願のGI初制覇ならず浜中俊騎手「たくさんコンビを組めたことは自分の財産」". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 29 March 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
1 2 "ナムラクレアの競走馬登録抹消". JRA (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. 4 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
↑ "重賞5勝のナムラクレアが谷川牧場に到着今年はイクイノックスを配合予定". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 6 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[jbis_profile-1] 1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア (Namura Clair) - Profile & Race Record". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[netkeiba_record-2] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 "ナムラクレア競走成績". netkeiba (in Japanese). Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[jbis_pedigree-3] 1 2 3 4 "ナムラクレア - 5代血統表". JBIS Search (in Japanese). Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[netkeiba_kokura-4] "【小倉2歳S結果】ナムラクレアが大外から突き抜け2馬身差完勝！ミッキーアイル産駒の連覇". netkeiba (in Japanese). 5 September 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[netkeiba_silkroad-5] "【シルクロードS結果】ナムラクレアが競り合いを制して重賞3勝目". netkeiba (in Japanese). 29 January 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[netkeiba_hakodate2025-6] "【函館スプリントS】単勝1.7倍がまさか… ナムラクレアは8着ルメール騎手「競走中止した馬の影響で…」". netkeiba (in Japanese). 14 June 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[netkeiba_hanshincup2025-7] "【阪神C】ルメール騎手「惜しかった」ナムラクレア猛烈追い上げも2着連覇&牝馬初の5年連続重賞Vならず". netkeiba (in Japanese). 27 December 2025. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[sanspo_lastrun-8] "【高松宮記念】引退レースのナムラクレアは悲願のGI初制覇ならず浜中俊騎手「たくさんコンビを組めたことは自分の財産」". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 29 March 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[jra_retire-9] 1 2 "ナムラクレアの競走馬登録抹消". JRA (in Japanese). Japan Racing Association. 4 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.

[sanspo_broodmare-10] "重賞5勝のナムラクレアが谷川牧場に到着今年はイクイノックスを配合予定". Sankei Sports (in Japanese). 6 April 2026. Retrieved 26 July 2026.