At seven years old—with five calvings behind her—Sakurand Doorman Rocket ET proves that elite genetics paired with patient management can create legends that defy time.
Hokkaido’s autumn classification round just delivered a bombshell. Sakurand Doorman Rocket ET, owned by Tsuyoshi Yamagishi of Shihoro in the Tokachi region, scored EX-95—tying Japan’s second-highest classification ever recorded for a female Holstein. Only one cow sits above her in the national record books: L’Espoir ReganStar Hagen EX-96, bred by the late Nobuo Sato, which remains Japan’s sole EX-96 Holstein. Rocket now stands alongside Essence Lexus Star Apollo in Hokkaido and Fine Rico Dutch (EX-95 in 2017) nationally.
What makes this story remarkable? She achieved it at seven years old with feet and legs that made the classifier pause in disbelief.
The Steady Climb to History
Rocket’s classification progression reads like a masterclass in genetic expression combined with meticulous management:
| Age | Score | Progression |
| 2 years | VG-85 | Immediate VG status |
| 3 years | VG-89 | +4 points |
| 4 years | EX-93 | Enters elite EX territory |
| 5 years | EX-93 | Maintains excellence |
| 6 years (Sept 2025) | EX-95-2E | Historic achievement |
Her September 2025 breakdown tells the story: Frame & Dairy Strength: 93. Feet & Legs: 95. Dairy Strength: 96. Mammary System: 95. The classifier reportedly told Yamagishi: “It’s remarkable that at seven years old, she still maintains feet and legs strong enough to support such a powerful frame.”
That kind of comment echoes through breeding circles for decades.
Royal Blood: The Roxy Foundation
Rocket’s pedigree isn’t merely impressive—it’s historic. She traces directly back to Glenridge Citation Roxy EX-97, universally known as the “Queen of the Breed”. Roxy was the first cow in history to have 10 daughters classified Excellent and to earn the rare EX-97-4E designation while producing over 200,000 pounds of lifetime milk across three generations.
The maternal pathway flows through proven genetics:
- Dam: Gloryland I Goldwyn Rocket ET (Goldwyn daughter)
- Maternal granddam: Gloryland Lakota Ray ET (by Zenith)
- Foundation: The legendary Mil-R-Mor Roxette → Glenridge Citation Roxy EX-97 cow family
More than 381 Roxy descendants have achieved Excellent status worldwide—the most prolific EX-producing family in Holstein history. When Eiichi Takagi of Tokachi Livestock Trading recommended importing these embryos, he told Yamagishi: “The maternal line is one that should be preserved in the herd.” Seven years later, that advice looks prophetic.
Doorman’s Crowning Achievement
Sired by Val-Bisson Doorman, Rocket represents another crown jewel for the legendary Canadian sire. Just days ago, Doorman became one of the most exclusive type sires in Canadian dairy history—surpassing 2,000 daughters classified Excellent in Canada alone. His combination of elite type transmission (+4.59 PTAT), outstanding mammary systems (+3.17 UDC), and functional stature made him a favorite among both index-focused breeders and show enthusiasts globally.
Doorman daughters dominated show rings worldwide during the mid-2010s, capturing championships at World Dairy Expo, the Royal Winter Fair, and national shows across multiple continents. Rocket embodies everything Doorman was bred to produce: silky dairy character, immense capacity, and functional longevity that defies the calendar.
Show Ring Dominance Across Japan
Rocket hasn’t just impressed classifiers—she’s owned the Japanese show circuit year after year:
- 2022 (3-Year-Old): Tokachi Livestock Show Intermediate Champion & Grand Champion; Hokkaido Holstein National Show Intermediate Champion & Grand Champion
- 2023 (4-Year-Old): Tokachi Livestock Show Grand Champion
- 2024 (5-Year-Old): National Show First Prize, Second Place
- 2025 (Mature Cow): Tokachi Livestock Show Grand Champion; 16th All-Japan Holstein Show Third Prize Award
That 2025 All-Japan appearance carried special significance. The 16th All-Japan Holstein Grand Prix marked a historic comeback after a decade-long hiatus—the 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19. Held October 25-26 in Abira Town, Hokkaido, it welcomed a record-high 380 dairy cows from 38 prefectures. For Rocket to compete at this level at seven years old, after five calvings, demonstrates her exceptional durability.
At this year’s Tokachi Livestock Show, judged by Canadian judge Mr. Carscadden, Rocket captured her third Tokachi Grand Championship. For Yamagishi, that moment settled years of internal doubt.
“For me, that settled everything,” he says. “We weren’t wrong. And this year’s Tokachi Grand Championship brought me more joy than any before.”
The Doubt Before the Dynasty
Here’s the thing—Rocket wasn’t always the obvious superstar. Yamagishi admits her early years in show business raised questions.
“She calved easily and developed smoothly. As a young cow, her height—especially in the front end—was fairly ordinary, though her dairy character stood out. At one Tokachi show, she placed third in her class. At the National Show, she finished third as well.”
Only through successive lactations did her rib capacity and stature fully develop into the powerhouse seen today. When judging trends shifted toward different front-end styles a few years back, Yamagishi questioned whether Rocket’s type was becoming outdated. That third Grand Championship under an American judge silenced those doubts permanently.
Breeding Philosophy: Total Balance
Yamagishi Farm operates a sophisticated 350-head operation: 190 milking cows producing over 1,800 tons annually at 33 kg/day, plus 160 young stock across 78 hectares. Two robots and a parlor handle milking, while show cows receive individual pens, daytime grazing, and parlor milking for specialized attention. The herd carries a type score deviation of 133—well above average.
Yamagishi’s breeding philosophy centers on equilibrium: “The foundation is building a herd strong in both type and production. That means prioritizing total balance when selecting sires.”
Embryos target show-type genetics like Rocket; genomic testing identifies performance standouts. Every animal undergoes genomic testing, with exceptional individuals potentially contributing to future sire development. Each year, the farm imports six to ten embryos, achieving consistently high conception rates.
Rocket’s embryos have been among Japan’s most sought-after genetics this year—reservations stretched into late December, with two to three additional flushes planned. Planned matings include Avenger (Rocket is already confirmed pregnant), Lambda, Jerry Lewis, and Major, with heavy emphasis on Blondin sires that dominated the 2025 Royal Winter Fair.
The Family Behind the Farm
Yamagishi Farm runs as a true multi-generational operation. Tsuyoshi (41) works alongside his father, Hitoshi (67)—a 2021 Utsunomiya Award recipient for dairy management excellence—his mother, Satomi (65), his wife, Waka (41), four daughters aged 1-10, and one employee.
After attending Shihoro High School, Tsuyoshi trained for six months at Mukai Farm (HM Holstein) in Naganuma, Hokkaido, then spent a year each on farms in the United States and Canada before returning home at 21.
“In the U.S., I learned clipping; in Canada, I learned show preparation,” he explains.
His father, Hitoshi, emphasized hands-on management and efficiency, introducing freestalls and milking robots to establish a productive dairy operation with reduced labor demands. For Tsuyoshi, shows represent an extension of sound management—not the destination, but rather opportunities for networking and information exchange.
The farm weathered COVID-19 and milk production controls that forced 200-ton annual cuts, resulting in roughly ¥20 million in losses. “Those were painful times,” Yamagishi recalls. But improved milk prices and family perseverance pushed through. “This year, we’re finally seeing some brighter signs.”
Looking Forward
Rocket turned seven shortly after her historic classification. She’s confirmed pregnant to Avenger, and Yamagishi hopes to campaign her again next year. With embryos commanding premium prices and her legacy cemented in Japanese dairy history, the Roxy blood powering her pedigree continues to prove what breeders have known for half a century: this family delivers.
Some cows are born into greatness. Others earn it lactation by lactation, classification by classification, championship by championship. Rocket did both—and at seven years old, she’s still climbing.
Complete references and supporting documentation are available upon request by contacting the editorial team at editor@thebullvine.com.
Continue the Story
- The Breeder Who Refused to Quit: How Japan’s Most Stubborn Farmer Created Japan’s Only EX-96 Holstein – Rocket’s climb to EX-95 echoes the relentless quest of Nobuo Sato, the legendary breeder who set the bar she’s now chasing. It proves that the same stubborn dedication to “cow happiness” remains the primary path to Japanese dairy history.
- From Hokkaido to Holstein Excellence: Tommy Araki’s 50-Year Journey Transforming Japanese Dairy – To understand how a North American icon like Rocket dominates in Hokkaido, you must see the visionaries who built the bridge. This journey through Japan’s genetic transformation reveals exactly how the world Yamagishi navigates was first built.
- Japan’s Once-Every-5-Years Holstein Spectacular: The Cow Who Couldn’t Stand Now Stands Supreme – Rocket’s appearance at the 16th All-Japan show was part of a larger, emotional comeback for an entire nation. This profile of the Grand Champion captures the heart of a new generation of breeders proving their resilience on Japan’s biggest stage.
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