Looking back at the record of Japanese great Deep Impact

Tuesday, 04 July, 2023 23:50

Retirement celemony of Deep Impact (Photo: Yuki Shimono)

Auguste Rodin, from the final crop of Deep Impact, became the 19th horse to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double.

Progeny of Deep Impact have won The Derby in Japan, Great Britain, France, and Ireland. Only Nijinsky and Galileo have achieved a similar level of Classic success. In this article, we will be lamenting over the records of Deep Impact as a generational defining sire.

Over 100 global Grade/Group 1 winners

Progeny of Deep Impact have consistently been competing on turf at the highest level around the world. They have won over 100 Grade/Group 1 races in eight different jurisdictions. 72 domestic G1 wins, one G1 winner on dirt in 2018 and one domestic jumps G1 in Nakayama Daishogai. Among the 26 domestic JRA G1s, Deep Impact has yet to win only the Nakayama Grand Jump, Champions Cup (Dirt), February Stakes (Dirt), and Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m).

A prolific source of 12-furlong Classic winners

Deep Impact is synonymous with strong performances in Classics. A total of seven winners of the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), including Deep Brillante in 2012 and Shahryar in 2021 to name just a couple. Study Of Man won the French Derby and Auguste Rodin has won both English and Irish Derby.

It is a remarkably similar level of success in the fillies' equivalent. Deep Impact has sired an Oaks winner in five countries. He has produced four Japanese Oaks winners, Gentildonna in 2012 and Loves Only You in 2019. International Oaks heroines include Australian winner Glint of Hope, French winner Fancy Blue, and English and Irish Oaks winner Snowfall.

Triple Crown winner for both colt and filly

Deep Impact has produced both a colt and a filly winner of the highly coveted Triple Crown title in Japan. Gentildonna won the filly's Triple Tiara and the dominant Contrail claimed the colt's Triple Crown.

A model of consistency

Deep Impact has produced a Classic winner from all his 13 generations of offspring. His first Classic winner was Marcellina in the 2011 Japanese 1000 Guineas. His final domestic Classic title was won by Ask Victor More in the Kikuka Sho (St. Leger) in 2022. With the success of Auguste Rodin in Europe, Deep Impact has sired a Classic winner in every crop.

This is just a glimpse of the records and accolades held by Deep Impact. He dominated the domestic racing scene since making his debut on the track, to his last crop as a sire. With just a handful left to run, we are excited to witness what they will achieve, and no doubt add to the legacy of Deep Impact.

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