An expert breakdown of the Farewell Stakes, a 1200m dirt race at Nakayama. We dive deep into the pedigree, recent form, and professional analysis of top contenders Ashakatobe and Anzuame, and identify a potential dark horse in Muum to cap off the year-end racing calendar.
Top contender Ashakatobe is highly rated based on both pedigree and recent training, making him a prime candidate for your ticket.
Anzuame, with a prime “Drefong x Empire Maker” bloodline, shows significant physical development and is poised for a strong performance.
Dark horse Muum is in improving form, presenting high potential return value and adding intrigue to the betting pool.
The tough Nakayama 1200m dirt course demands a combination of raw speed and staying power, making bloodline suitability a critical factor.
The Farewell Stakes, held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Nakayama Racecourse, is a 1200m dirt sprint that serves as a thrilling conclusion to the year-end meet. This race demands both speed and power. Here, we analyze the most promising contenders based on their pedigree and recent training data (as of Dec 24).
Sire: Mr. Melody / Damsire: Commander in Chief
Ashakatobe, a 3-year-old colt, stands out as a leading candidate. His sire, Mr. Melody, was a G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen winner known for his speed, and his progeny excel in dirt sprints. The stamina influence from damsire Commander in Chief makes his pedigree well-suited for the demanding Nakayama 1200m course.
Recent Condition & Evaluation
In his December 24th workout on the Miho woodchip course, he finished 0.1 seconds behind his training partner Tomoja Chateau but earned high marks from observers.
“He finished behind with plenty left in the tank. He’s sharpened up since his last race and further improvement is expected.”
Trainer Ogasu has also provided positive feedback, suggesting he is in better condition than his previous start. With projected win odds of 3.0, he is a reliable choice for the cornerstone of any bet.
Sire: Drefong / Damsire: Empire Maker
Following closely behind Ashakatobe is Anzuame. Her sire, Drefong, is a dominant force in Japanese dirt racing, and her damsire, Empire Maker, is a staple of American dirt pedigrees. This “Drefong x Empire Maker” cross is a classic combination for dirt sprinting, providing the perfect blend of power and speed required for Nakayama’s deep surface.
Recent Condition & Evaluation
On December 24th, she clocked 55.6-12.5 on a heavy Ritto hill track while being pushed hard. The stable (comments from Assistant Tomomichi) has highlighted her physical growth.
“Her hindquarters have filled out, and she’s running with better balance. She should be competitive at this level.”
Her performance in her last race was strong, and she is expected to be a major factor here.
Sire: Kinshasa no Kiseki / Damsire: Symboli Kris S
Muum is showing signs of being a potent longshot in this field. Her sire, Kinshasa no Kiseki, has a proven record in major sprints, while her damsire, Symboli Kris S, was an Arima Kinen winner. This pedigree suggests a blend of sustained speed and underlying stamina.
Recent Condition & Evaluation
In her December 24th workout on a heavy Ritto hill track, she was highly praised despite being held back under a canter.
“Her physique has become leaner, and as a result, her stride is much lighter.”
Trainer Sugiyama also commented, “She seems to thrive in this season, and her condition is excellent,” indicating she’s ready for a significant turnaround. Some AI models have given her a high expected return value (A-rating), making her a must-watch for those seeking value.
Beyond the main contenders, several other horses are showing promising signs.
Sire: Lord Kanaloa / Damsire: Sea The Stars
Trainer Nakadate commented, “She’s recovered well, her condition is good, and we’re expecting a rebound.” She showed excellent form in her Dec 24th workout at Miho.
Sire: Frosted / Damsire: Medaglia d’Oro
Clocked an impressive 50.2 seconds on the Ritto hill track. Observers noted, “He’s leaner, and his condition is a step up from his last race.”
The key to the Farewell Stakes 2025 lies in finding horses with the right pedigree for Nakayama’s tough course and peak physical conditioning for the cold season. The impressive form of Ashakatobe is hard to ignore, and Anzuame‘s development makes her a serious threat. Meanwhile, the improving condition of Muum makes her a dangerous dark horse capable of an upset.
For final betting selections and a more detailed conclusion, please follow the link below.