Symboli Stud

Symboli Stud (シンボリ牧場, Symboli Bokujō), formally Symboli Stud Co., Ltd., is a Japanese Thoroughbred breeding farm and racehorse owner-breeder headquartered in Narita, Chiba Prefecture. It is one of the most storied names in Japanese racing, having bred and owned numerous champions over nearly a century. The farm registers as an owner under the name Symboli Stud, with racing silks of green, white sash, and red armband. Its horses carry the 'Symboli' prefix, while fillies historically used the 'Sweet' prefix derived from the foundation mare Sweet Sixteen. The operation traces its origins to 1926, when Koichiro Wada founded the predecessor Shinhori Farm in Chiba Prefecture. Thoroughbred production began in 1935 under the Shinhori Farm name, and the farm achieved its first classic victory in 1940 with the mare Tirei in the Oka Sho. Under the second-generation head Tomohiro Wada, the farm expanded as Symboli Stud and produced stars such as Speed Symboli and, through the stallion Partholon, the legendary seven-time champion Symboli Rudolf. After Tomohiro Wada's death in 1994, his son Takahiro Wada became the third-generation head, and the farm produced the 2000s Horse of the Year Symboli Kris S. Following Takahiro's death in 2019, his eldest son Yoshihiro Wada became the fourth-generation head. The farm operates facilities including the Iwate Symboli Farm in Hirono, Iwate Prefecture, Symboli Stallion Station in Hidaka, Hokkaido, and Hidaka Symboli Farm. It remains active in breeding and ownership, with recent notable horses such as Fletcher Bianca and Reach.

Symboli Stud's history begins in 1926, when Koichiro Wada established the predecessor Shinhori Farm in Chiba Prefecture. The name 'Shinhori' has several possible origins: it may derive from earthen embankments called shinhori built in the Sakura region since the Kyōhō era, or from a bus stop named Shinhori near Wada's birthplace in Shimane Prefecture. In 1935, Thoroughbred production began under the Shinhori Farm name in what was then Katori District, Chiba (later Ōei Town, now Narita City). The farm achieved its first classic victory in 1940 when the mare Tirei won the second running of the Oka Sho (then called the Nakayama Yonsai Hinba Tokubetsu). Under the second generation, Tomohiro Wada, the farm expanded as Symboli Stud. It found major success as the breeder of Speed Symboli and of the stallion Partholon, whose progeny included the legendary seven-time champion Symboli Rudolf. Symboli Rudolf won the Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Kikuka Sho, Tenno Sho (Spring), Japan Cup, and Arima Kinen twice, and was later inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame. Tomohiro Wada died in 1994, and his son Takahiro Wada became the third-generation head. In the early 2000s, the farm produced Symboli Kris S, a two-time winner of both the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen and a Horse of the Year, marking another major milestone after Symboli Rudolf. Takahiro Wada died in 2019, and his eldest son Yoshihiro Wada became the fourth-generation head. The farm continues to breed and own racehorses, with recent notable winners including Fletcher Bianca (2020 Spring Cup, Tohoku Yushun, Kitakami Sho, Derby Grand Prix, 2021 Tokyo Kinen, 2022 Gold Cup) and Reach (2020 Innocent Cup, Kamakura Kinen, 2024 Gold Sprint).

• 2019

  Takahiro Wada dies; Yoshihiro Wada becomes fourth-generation head.

• 2000

  Symboli Kris S becomes Horse of the Year after wins in Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen.

• 1994

  Tomohiro Wada dies; Takahiro Wada becomes third-generation head.

• 1940

  First classic victory with mare Tirei in the Oka Sho.

• 1935

  Thoroughbred production begins under the Shinhori Farm name.

• 1926

  Koichiro Wada establishes predecessor Shinhori Farm in Chiba Prefecture.

Prestige owner-breeder with a century-long heritage in Japanese Thoroughbred racing.

• Symboli Rudolf

  Seven-time champion racehorse, Hall of Fame inductee.

• Symboli Kris S

  Two-time Tenno Sho (Autumn) and Arima Kinen winner, Horse of the Year.

• Speed Symboli

  Champion racehorse and successful sire.

• Fletcher Bianca

  Multiple graded stakes winner in regional racing.

1. 1Symboli Stud - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2シンボリ牧場 - Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org
3. 3Symboli Stud official websitesymboli-stud.com