On the 4th, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced the induction of two illustrious horses into the Hall of Fame: Contrail, who achieved an undefeated Triple Crown in 2020, and King Kamehameha, who won the unconventional double of the G1 NHK Mile Cup and G1 Japanese Derby in 2004. Contrail, who fell just one vote short last year in his first year of eligibility, successfully secured his place in his second year. Meanwhile, King Kamehameha was honoured 19 years after his nomination. The reigning king of jump racing, Oju Chosan, who was newly eligible this year, received 102 votes (58.0% of the total) and will have to wait for future consideration.

The undefeated Triple Crown winner Contrail was selected for the Hall of Fame. Last year, he narrowly missed out with a 74.9% voting rate, but this year he comfortably surpassed the required three-quarters majority with 152 out of 176 votes (86.4%).

Owner Shinji Maeda expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am honoured and moved. Contrail spent most of his career racing without spectators or with limited attendance, but I hope he will be remembered and celebrated by many racing fans as a Hall of Fame inductee."

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who managed Contrail during his racing career, shared his joy, stating, "I am extremely honoured. After the unexpected miss last year, I am relieved. Contrail brought a shining light during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to seeing his offspring continue his legacy."

Contrail's final race was the 2021 Japan Cup, which he won before retiring to stud at Shadai Stallion Station. His offspring have already attracted attention, with Conviction I's 2023 foal fetching ?520 million (excluding tax) at the 2023 foal Select Sale, the third highest price in the sale's history. His progeny are set to debut in 2025, with hopes high that they will continue the Triple Crown legacy of their grandsire Deep Impact and sire Contrail.