In 1997, Taiki Shuttle won 4 back to back G1 races, but the JRA decided to give the horse of the year award to Air Groove after winning Spring Tenno Sho and jobbing the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen.

Had Taiki Shuttle not been robbed of this award, he would now be standing amongst the greatest, equalling legends such as Symboli Rudolf, Deep Impact, Kitasan Black, Vodka and Equinox in Horse of the Year awards.