He was from the twelfth crop of foals sired by Stay Gold a horse whose wins included the Dubai Sheema Classic and Hong Kong Vase in 2001.

[2] Indy Champ's dam Will Power who won four minor races in five seasons on the track between 2009 and 2013[3] was a half-sister to several winners including Real Impact (Yasuda Kinen, George Ryder Stakes) and Neorealism (Queen Elizabeth II Cup).

[8] Indy Champ was dropped back in class in June and finished second to the filly A Shin Twinkle in a minor race over 1600 metres at Hanshin.

After racing in fifth place as Aerolithe set the pace Indy Champ threaded his way through the field in the straight, took the lead in the final strides and won by a neck, with the fast-finishing Almond Eye a nose away in third.

[11] After a break of four months Indy Champ returned in the Mainichi Okan over 1800 metres at Tokyo on 6 October in which he raced in second place for most of the way before finishing third behind Danon Kingly and Aerolithe.

Ikezoe, who took the ride at short notice when Fukunaga was suspended, said "I was told that he is a bit unstable at the start but he broke well and we were able to race in good position while eyeing Danon Premium.

[12] For his final run of the year Indy Champ was sent to Sha Tin Racecourse to contest the Hong Kong Mile on 8 December and started joint-favourite alongside the local champion Beauty Generation.

Ridden by Damian Lane he struggled to obtain a clear run in the last 400 metres and although he kept on well he was unable to reach the leaders and came home seventh of the ten runners behind Admire Mars.

He settled in third place as Lance of Puraana set the pace from Besten Dank before moving up on the outside to take the lead 200 metres from the finish and winning easily by two lengths.

[16] Indy Champ was expected to resume his season in the Sprinters Stakes over 1200 metres at Nakayama in October but bypassed the race after experiencing "pain in his right hindquarters".

[17] After being off the track for five and a half months the horse attempted to defend his Mile Championship title at Hanshin on 22 November and went off the 7.8/1 third choice in the betting behind Gran Alegria and Salios.

[18] On 26 December Indy Champ ended his campaign in the Grade 2 Hanshin Cup over 1400 metres in which he started the 0.5/1 favourite but despite producing a strong late run from the rear of the sixteen-runner field he came home third behind the fillies Danon Fantasy and Maltese Diosa.