What Kasamatsu, SFC, and Oguri Cap Left Behind | Kazunori Takashio, Dean of the Graduate School of Media and Governance
Just a few minutes ago, the Kikuka-sho, the final race of this year's Triple Crown for colts, came to an end.
On the rain-soaked turf of Yodo, Energico, ridden by Christophe Lemaire, broke away in the final straight and crossed the finish line in first place. Eriking, who charged from the back with a powerful kick after the fourth turn, finished second. The jockey was Yuga Kawada. Personal feelings aside—like how Geitutar would have finished third if the finish line had been 50cm further—it was a truly spectacular race. Although various concerns were pointed out about Energico before the race, Lemaire was as impressive as ever. The horse, who had been walking in the paddock with its head down looking somewhat lacking in confidence, changed the look in its eyes the moment it welcomed the jockey onto its back. It entered the track with its head held high and a dignified gait. Its strides during the warm-up were large, and it appeared calm behind the gate. Following last week's Shuka-sho (one of the Fillies' Triple Crown races), Jockey Lemaire has now won two consecutive GI races this autumn. Additionally, he achieved the first-ever three-peat in the Kikuka-sho, following Durezza the year before last and Urban Chic last year. The saying "If you're unsure about an autumn GI, buy Lemaire" is truly apt. The Derby winner, Croix de Noir, ran the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with Yuichi Kitamura. The Satsuki-sho winner, Museum Mile, is heading for the Tenno Sho (Autumn). I am already looking forward to the Arima Kinen, where the three horses that shared the Triple Crown titles (might) all gather. Incidentally, Energico is one of the last crop of Duramente, whose early death is much regretted.
This autumn, the TV drama "Royal Family," which depicts the world of horse racing in depth, is a hot topic. However, for me, I would still like to recommend the new content for Uma Musume, "Cinderella Gray." The protagonist is Oguri Cap. "Gray" refers to the coat color. As I have mentioned several times in the Dean's Diary, Oguri Cap is the racehorse I love the most. For that reason, I have followed it since the original work (Script: Masafumi Sugiura & Pita, Manga: Taiyo Kuzumi). While there are arrangements to suit the times, the story generally follows historical facts faithfully. In Season 1, there was a stylish touch where the Derby episode from that era was broadcast and streamed on the day of the actual Derby.
Immediately after the news broke, the family expressed their wish to "visit SFC with the deceased once things have settled down." At the time, I didn't think it would become such a large gathering, but thanks to the efforts of Professor Tokoro, Professor Tokuda, and other graduates of the Aiso Lab, the memorial service at SFC will be realized.
The year is 1988. Sakura Chiyono O, Yaeno Muteki, and Mejiro Ardan. Oguri Cap's rivals run the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). Sakura Chiyono O took the lead in the straight. Although he allowed Mejiro Ardan to take the lead after climbing the slope at Fuchu, he surged back just before the goal to win. Yaeno Muteki was closing in from the outside. Everyone wanted Oguri Cap to be there. Oguri Cap had won three consecutive graded races after transferring to the Japan Racing Association (JRA), but the regulations for the Triple Crown races at the time were extremely strict. Oguri Cap, who had transferred from Kasamatsu to the JRA, was not allowed to enter the Derby. Oguri Cap went to the GII New Zealand Trophy Yonsai Stakes instead. The result was an overwhelming victory by seven lengths. The direction in "Cinderella Gray," which overlaid the goal scene of that race with the goal of the Derby, was brilliant. I couldn't stop crying during the backlit scene showing T.M. Opera O's back. T.M. Opera O became the first Triple Crown winner (Satsuki-sho) to benefit from the revised registration system, which was triggered by Oguri Cap's success. The same goes for Kitasan Black (Kikuka-sho winner).
Doesn't this resemble the situation Japanese universities find themselves in today?
I have no intention of being arrogant and claiming we are the center, but until recently, from the perspective of obtaining information and the understanding of those around them, I think the hurdle for students from regional areas to enter universities in the Tokyo metropolitan area or large urban areas was high. SFC has always strived to lower these hurdles by leading the way in introducing the self-recommendation type AO entrance examination (comprehensive selection) and promoting various forms of outreach activities, including the Camp for Designing the Future. I have also contributed by holding a new form of the Camp for Designing the Future in San'in, based on close interaction between local governments and high schools or technical colleges in the region. For details on that, please read the previous Dean's Diary "The World and Tottori, Ruri Rocks and the Graduate School" if you have the time.
From the perspective of fans in Kasamatsu, Oguri Cap was a hero who jumped into the JRA alone and crushed JRA racehorses one after another with sheer power. There must have been a desire for him to return to Kasamatsu in triumph someday. Partly due to the success of horses like Inari One, who also transferred from regional racing and were called the "Heisei Big Three," various forms of exchange between the JRA and regional racing have been pursued since 1995. Dirt exchange graded races (JpnI to JpnIII), which horses can enter regardless of whether they belong to the JRA or regional racing, have been established, and efforts to bridge the gap between the JRA and regional racing continue today.
Universities also need a similar perspective in terms of ensuring diversity. Every university has a desire, almost like a thirst, to attract students with diverse backgrounds from various regions at home and abroad. However, the one-sided "the water is sweeter over here" approach of the past will no longer work. Without the construction of relationships and institutional designs that benefit both parties, things will eventually stall. In that case, there could be a mechanism to "return students entrusted to us from each region in various forms after graduation or completion of their studies."
At the time, foreign-bred horses were also strictly restricted from entering graded races, including the Triple Crown. It was in 2001 that the Triple Crown races were opened to foreign-bred horses. In the JRA, races that foreign-bred horses can enter without restriction are distinguished as "Mixed" or "International" races, but today, many foreign-bred and overseas racehorses run on Japanese turf.
Acquiring students from overseas should also move away from the separate-category concept of "accepting international students." Unless we design and implement a new student recruitment scheme that does not distinguish between domestic and international, even Keio will not survive the coming era. The development of a curriculum and research environment that highly integrates undergraduate and graduate schools will be a major incentive. Fortunately, the situation within Keio and beyond is becoming conducive to this. As I mentioned at the end of the previous Dean's Diary, let us strive so that SFC can be a pioneer in this regard.
Season 1 of "Cinderella Gray" ends after depicting the first confrontation with the greatest rival, Tamamo Cross, in the Tenno Sho (Autumn), the "Gray-Coat Showdown of the Century." The result was a victory for Tamamo Cross, with Oguri Cap finishing second by 1 1/4 lengths. For Oguri Cap, it was his first loss after transferring to the JRA. From this autumn, Season 2 is being broadcast and streamed, depicting the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen following the Tenno Sho. Please check this out as well, perhaps while enjoying a drink on a long autumn night.
P.S.
Before I knew it, a month had passed since the start of the new semester.
In our organization, personnel changes for Deans of Faculties and Graduate Schools occur on October 1st. I was told to "wait until October for the official announcement," so I had intended to send something out to various quarters as a greeting for the start of the semester, but this autumn has been more hectic than usual, and I found myself lacking peace of mind.
As it turns out, I will be serving another term as the Dean of the Graduate School of Media and Governance. For the next two years, please continue to watch over me with a lukewarm gaze, much like the goats of Η. Thank you again for your support.