Deep Impact (Japanese : ディープインパクト, March 25, 2002 – July 30, 2019) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Japanese Triple Crown in 2005 and the Japan Cup in 2006, as well as three other Grade One races in Japan. As a stallion, he was the leading sire in Japan for 11 consecutive years from 2012 to 2022, and produced Derby horses in four countries: Japan, England, France, and Ireland. In 2020, his son Contrail became the third horse in Japanese horse racing history to win the Classic Triple Crown without losing races, becoming the first event in the world where a father and son won the Triple Crown together without losing races.[1]

Deep Impact
Deep Impact winning Kikuka Sho 2005
SireSunday Silence
GrandsireHalo
DamWind in Her Hair
DamsireAlzao
SexStallion
Foaled(2002-03-25)25 March 2002
Died30 July 2019(2019-07-30) (aged 17)
CountryJapan
ColourBay
BreederNorthern Farm
OwnerKaneko Makoto Holdings Co.
TrainerYasuo Ikee
Record14: 12–1–0
Earnings1,454,551,000 Yen
Major wins
Yayoi Sho (2005)
Satsuki Sho (2005)
Tokyo Yushun (2005)
Kobe Shimbun Hai (2005)
Kikuka Sho (2005)
Tenno Sho (Spring) (2006)
Takarazuka Kinen (2006)
Japan Cup (2006)
Arima Kinen (2006)
Awards
JRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old Colt (2005)
Japanese Horse of the Year (2005, 2006)
JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse (2006)
Timeform rating: 134
Honours
Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame (2008)
Yayoi Sho (Deep Impact Kinen)
Last updated on November 6, 2023

Background

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Deep Impact was born in Northern Farm, Abira, Hokkaido on 25 May 2002. His sire Sunday Silence took over from perennial Japanese leading sire Northern Taste (10 time leading sire in Japan) and was the leading sire in Japan 12 times. His dam, Wind in Her Hair, a Group One winner, finished second in The Oaks to super-filly Balanchine and was out of Burghclere, a daughter of dual-Classic winner Highclere, who was owned and bred by Queen Elizabeth II. Burghclere in turn was a three-quarters sister to top filly Height of Fashion, sold by the Queen to Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and subsequently the dam of Epsom Derby winner Nashwan, leading sire Unfuwain and multiple Group One winner Nayef.[2]

He was sold for $70 million by Makoto Kaneko.[3] He was the ninth highest bidder out of the 14 Sunday Silence foals listed because of his slender stature. Kaneko was so impressed by the sparkle in his eyes that he said, "I felt like I was being sucked into his eyes,"[4] and named him "Deep Impact" in the hope that he would become a horse that would have a strong impact on many people.[5]  

Racing career

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Deep Impact was defeated by Heart's Cry in the 2005 Arima Kinen, suffering his first of two losses (the other was a 3rd-place finish in the 2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but was later disqualified to last place due to a positive drug test.)

2005: Three-year-old season

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After Deep Impact won the Yayoi Sho, he was in Satsuki Shō. Shortly after the start, his jockey, Yutaka Take, suddenly stumbled and almost fell off Deep Impact. However, in the straight line, he won by 2 1/2 lengths over the runner-up, Six Sense. After winning the Satsuki Sho, he went on to win the Tōkyō Yūshun(Japanese Derby) in a race record time of (2:23.3), tying King Kamehameha's record from a year earlier and becoming the sixth undefeated double champion in history and the first since Mihono Bourbon in 1992. Finally, he won the Kikuka Sho on October 23rd, 2005, becoming the first horse since Narita Brian 11 years earlier to complete the Japanese Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He also became the first undefeated Japanese Triple Crown winner since Symboli Rudolf 21 years earlier, but in his next race, the Arima Kinen, Deep Impact was beaten by Heart's Cry for the first defeat of his racing career. He was given Best Horse of the Year and Best 3-Year-Old Stallion at the JRA Awards for his success in 2005.

2006: Four-year-old season

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At last year's JRA awards ceremony on January 23, Deep Impact's owner Kaneko stated that he would like to race Deep Impact if there is a good race in Europe in the summer. Thus, he expressed his intention to make an overseas expedition. His first race in 2006 was the Grade 2 race, Hanshin Daishōten. He finished 3 1/2 lengths over the runner-up.

Then he won the Tenno Sho(Spring), setting a new world record for a 3200-meter race in the time of (3'13"4)

He followed up with a victory in Takarazuka Kinen, the Grade 1 race, over 2200m.

In October, he raced in France's most prestigious race, the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over 2400m. He was the heavy favourite for the race, and 1,587,263 € (about $1,238,000) was bet on him in France (especially by many of the Japanese fans that traveled to the racecourse). However he only finished third.

Two weeks later, news from France Galop revealed Deep Impact was positive tested to Ipratropium.[6] Connections announced the colt would retire to stud after that season in a syndication deal worth 5.1 billion yen.


Deep Impact then won the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen before being retired for

stud.

 
Tenno Sho 2006 on April 30

Wins

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2004ーー

  • 19 Dec Make Debut, Hanshin Turf 2000m

2005ーー

  • 22 Jan Wakagoma Stakes (open race), Kyoto Turf 2000m
  • 6 Mar Hōchi Hai Yayoi Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas Trial) (Domestic G2), Nakayama Turf 2000m
  • 17 Apr Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (Domestic G1), Nakayama Turf 2000m
  • 29 May Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (Domestic G1), Tokyo Turf 2400m
  • 25 Sep Kobe Shimbun Hai (Domestic G2), Hanshin Turf 2000m
  • 23 Oct Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (Domestic G1), Kyoto Turf 3000m

2006ーー

Stud record

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Deep Impact at the Shadai Stallion Station in 2009

Deep Impact stood at the Shadai Stallion Station in Abira, Hokkaido, where he became one of the world's most dominant stallions. He was crowned Japanese Champion Sire for nine consecutive years from 2012 to 2020, and sired stars including Gentildonna, Real Steel, and A Shin Hikari. In 2020, his son Contrail completed the Japanese Triple Crown undefeated just like his sire. His last crop of runners include Auguste Rodin, who is having great success in Europe and North America. In addition, Deep Impact is the damsire of Kiseki (2017 Kikuka Sho), Blowout (2021 First Lady Stakes), Geraldina (2022 QE II Cup), and Dolce More (2022 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes).

Notable progeny

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c = colt, f = filly

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2008 Danon Shark c Mile Championship
2008 Marcellina f Oka Sho
2008 Real Impact c Yasuda Kinen, George Ryder Stakes
2008 Tosen Ra c Mile Championship
2009 Beauty Parlour f Poule d'Essai des Pouliches
2009 Deep Brillante c Tokyo Yushun (Derby)
2009 Gentildonna f Oka Sho, Yushun Himba, Shuka Sho, Japan Cup (twice), Sheema Classic, Arima Kinen
2009 Joie de Vivre f Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
2009 Spielberg c Tenno Sho (Autumn)
2009 Verxina c Victoria Mile (twice)
2010 Ayusan f Oka Sho
2010 Kizuna c Tōkyō Yūshun
2010 Lachesis f Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup
2011 A Shin Hikari c Hong Kong Cup, Prix d'Ispahan
2011 Harp Star f Oka Sho
2011 Marialite f Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Takarazuka Kinen
2011 Mikki Isle c NHK Mile Cup, Mile Championship
2011 Satono Aladdin c Yasuda Kinen
2011 Shonan Pandora f Shuka Sho, Japan Cup
2011 Tosen Stardom c Toorak Handicap, Mackinnon Stakes
2012 Real Steel c Dubai Turf
2012 Danon Platina c Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
2012 Mikki Queen f Yushun Himba, Shuka Sho
2012 Shonan Adela f Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
2013 Dee Majesty c Satsuki Shō
2013 Makahiki c Tokyo Yushun
2013 Sinhalite f Yushun Himba
2013 Vivlos f Shuka Sho, Dubai Turf
2013 Satono Diamond c Kikuka Sho, Arima Kinen
2013 Jour Polaire f Victoria Mile
2014 Satono Ares c Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
2014 Al Ain c Satsuki Shō, Ōsaka Hai
2014 Fierce Impact c Toorak Handicap, Cantala Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes
2015 Glory Vase c Hong Kong Vase (twice)
2015 Saxon Warrior c Racing Post Trophy, 2000 Guineas
2015 Danon Premium c Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
2015 Keiai Nautique c NHK Mile Cup
2015 Wagnerian c Tokyo Yushun
2015 Study of Man (FRA) c Prix du Jockey Club
2015 Fierement c Kikuka Sho, Tenno Sho (spring) (twice)
2016 Danon Fantasy f Hanshin Juvenile Fillies
2016 Danon Kingly c Yasuda Kinen
2016 Gran Alegria f Oka Sho, Yasuda Kinen, Sprinters Stakes, Mile Championship (twice), Victoria Mile
2016 Loves Only You f Yushun Himba, Queen Elizabeth II Cup, Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Hong Kong Cup
2016 Roger Barows c Tokyo Yūshun
2016 World Premiere c Kikuka-shō, Tenno Sho (spring)
2017 Fancy Blue (IRE) f Prix de Diane, Nassau Stakes
2017 Contrail c Hopeful Stakes, Satsuki Sho, Tokyo Yushun, Kikuka Sho, Japan Cup
2017 Lei Papale f Ōsaka Hai
2017 Potager c Ōsaka Hai
2018 Akaitorino Musume f Shuka Sho
2018 Glint Of Hope (AUS) f Australasian Oaks
2018 Profondo (AUS) c Spring Champion Stakes
2018 Shahryar c Tokyo Yushun, Dubai Sheema Classic
2018 Snowfall f Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, Yorkshire Oaks
2019 Justin Palace c Tenno Sho
2019 Killer Ability c Hopeful Stakes
2019 Ask Victor More c Kikuka Sho
2020 Auguste Rodin c Vertem Futurity Trophy, Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf, Prince of Wales's Stakes

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Deep Impact (JPN), bay stallion 2002[7]
Sire
Sunday Silence (USA)
1986
Halo (USA)
1969
Hail To Reason Turn-To
Nothirdchance
Cosmah Cosmic Bomb
Almahmoud
Wishing Well (USA)
1975
Understanding  Promised Land
Pretty Ways
Mountain Flower Montparnasse
Edel Weiss
Dam
Wind in Her Hair (IRE)
1991
Alzao (USA)
1980
Lyphard  Northern Dancer
Goofed
Lady Rebecca Sir Ivor
Pocahontas
Burghclere (GB)
1977
Busted Crepello
Sans Le Sou
Highclere Queen's Hussar
Highlight (Family 2-f)[2]

Death

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On 30 July 2019, Deep Impact was euthanized after suffering a cervical fracture.[8] The 2019 Japan Cup was named the Deep Impact Memorial.[9] The news of his death was also reported in France. The day after receiving the news of his death, the newspaper Paris-Tullef published a front page article with a photo of him at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and reported that he was "a true idol". The newspaper Jourd'e Gallo reported her death with the headline "Sayonara, Deep Impact," saying she was "a special presence in Japan that transcended the boundaries of a racehorse".

References

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  1. ^ ""【菊花賞】コントレイル 父ディープインパクト 親子2代での牡馬三冠 空前絶後の大記録は達成されるのか", TV Tokyo, 25 October 2020".
  2. ^ a b "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Hyacinthus Mare – Family 2-f". www.bloodlines.net.
  3. ^ "サラブレ編集部(編)"サンデーサイレンスの時代", 2015, ISBN 404730770X".
  4. ^ ""奇跡の名馬" written by Kazuhiro Kaneme and Kenichirō Ōoka, 2010, ISBN 4939061310".
  5. ^ ""ありがとう、ディープインパクト―最強馬伝説完結" written by Akihiro Shimada, 2007, ISBN 4331512150".
  6. ^ "Deep Impact disqualified from Arc". BBC Sport. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  7. ^ "FREE 5-Cross Pedigree". www.equineline.com.
  8. ^ "Japanese stallion Deep Impact dies". www.justhorseracing.com.au.
  9. ^ "今年のジャパンC当日に「ディープインパクトメモリアルデー」を実施". ラジオNIKKEI (in Japanese). 2019-10-21. Retrieved 2023-11-12.

See also

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