IRISH mythology was centre stage at Hanshin Racetrack last weekend. The main race of the day, the Group 2 Kobe Shimbum Hai, a trial race for the Group 1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger), was won by Lia Fáil.

The JRA’s database describes the origin of horse names and in the case of Lia Fáil, it explains that the placename is located in Tara, Co Meath, and was the coronation stone for the ancient Irish High Kings. It evens references the mythical Tuatha Dé Danann.

However, in what was a remarkable coincidence, there was another horse in the race (in completely separate ownership) called Tír Na nÓg. For the latter however, there was no magic and the son of Deep Impact finished seventh of 15 runners. Nevertheless, as Lia Fáil and Tir Na nÓg disputed the lead for the first 10 furlongs, it made for an interesting and memorable race call (at least for the one Irishman among the 65,000 in attendance who understood the significance of the names).

If Lia Fáil (the equine) is indeed to witness another coronation (perhaps as champion three-year-old colt), he will need at a minimum to win the last colt’s classic of the year which will take place in Kyoto over 15 furlongs on the last Sunday of October. On the basis of last Sunday’s performance he has a chance and won impressively from the front with a comfortable two lengths to spare over the odds-on favourite Real Steel. It was a further two and a half lengths back to Tosen Basil in third.

Despite having raced eight times and winning four, Lia Fáil remains a relatively unknown quantity as his first six races were all on the inner dirt track. However, he is a perfect two for two since switching to turf.

The etymology of horses carrying ‘Irish’ names in Japan often shows quite an impressive knowledge of Irish history and culture. Among the author’s favourites is a colt by Gold Allure out of the Irish-bred mare Fermoy who was named Leprechaun and a Japanese-bred filly by Giant’s Causeway who was called New Grange.

However, it is less obvious what inspired the naming of a son of Zenno Rob Roy out of Chrysoprase Lia Fáil. The Lia Fáil itself did spend some time in Scotland and was used there for coronations and the Rob Roy connection via the famous Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor suggests a possible though somewhat nebulous link.

The explanation however in this case is much simpler. Yonemoto san, the manager of the Carrot Club who owns Lia Fáil, is a great lover of Ireland and Irish culture and has visited the Emerald Isle many times.