On the 8th of this month, it was revealed that Ask Victor More, the winner of the 2022 G1 Kikuka Sho had developed multiple organ failure due to heatstroke while on a break in the paddock, and had passed away. The Japan Racing Association (JRA) confirmed the announcement on the 9th, and his racehorse registration was withdrawn as of the 8th.

Ask Victor More made his debut in June 2021 at Tokyo. He achieved his first victory at Nakayama in September of the same year. The following year, he secured his first graded stakes win at the Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen. While he finished 5th in the Satsuki Sho and 3rd in the Derby, losing to Geoglyph and Do Deuce respectively, he triumphed in the Kikuka Sho, the final leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, winning by a nose in a close battle and setting a course record. However, in races this year, he struggled to live up to expectations, and his last race was an 11th-place finish in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen.

With daily heatstroke alerts being issued and Japan facing extreme heat akin to a disaster, the nation has been under the grip of an intense heatwave. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's website, on August 4th, out of 914 observed locations, a record-high 290 locations experienced extreme heat. This severe weather has not only affected humans but has also posed harsh conditions for thoroughbred horses that are sensitive to high temperatures. Despite efforts made by the JRA and ranches to implement heat countermeasures, the abnormal weather conditions have led to this tragic incident.