Narita Brian

Narita Brian
Hanshin Daishōten (March 9, 1996)
SireBrian's Time
GrandsireRoberto
DamPacificus
DamsireNorthern Dancer
SexStallion
FoaledMay 3, 1991
DiedSeptember 27, 1998(1998-09-27) (aged 7)
CountryJapan
ColourDark Bay
BreederHayata Farm
OwnerHidenori Yamaji
TrainerMasaaki Ookubo
Record21: 12-3-1
Earnings1,026,916,000 yen
Major wins
Awards
Honours
Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame (1998)
Last updated on February 2, 2010

Narita Brian (Japanese: ナリタブライアン, Hepburn: Narita Buraian; May 3, 1991 – September 27, 1998) was a Japanese racehorse. Until Special Week surpassed him in 1999, Narita Brian was Japan's top money earner. He was the fifth horse to win the classic Triple Crown (the Satsuki Sho, Japanese Derby, and Kikuka Sho), and also won the Arima Kinen in 1994. Narita Brian was nicknamed the "shadow roll monster" because he wore a shadow roll while racing.

He debuted in August 1993 and, from November of that year until March 1995, achieved five consecutive GI wins, including the Classic Triple Crown, and placed in the top two in 10 consecutive races. He was awarded the 1993 JRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old Colt and was chosen as the 1994 JRA Horse of the Year as well as Best Four-Year-Old Colt.

After developing a hip joint disease in the spring of 1995, his performance declined, winning only one graded race in six starts (with no GI victories in five starts). However, he drew fan attention with the match race against Mayano Top Gun at the 44th Hanshin Daishoten and by running in short-distance races such as the 26th Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Following tendonitis that developed after running in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, he was retired from racing in October 1996. He became a sire after retirement, but in September 1998, he suffered a stomach rupture and was euthanized.