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 any races, becoming the first event in the world where a father and son both won the Triple Crown undefeated.

Background Deep Impact was born in Northern Farm, Abira, Hokkaido on 25 March 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.

He was sold for ¥70 million by Makoto Kaneko. 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," and named him "Deep Impact" in the hope that he would become a horse that would have a strong impact on many people.

Racing career

2005: Three-year-old season After Deep Impact won the Yayoi Sho, he was entered in the 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 Japanese Horse of the Year and JRA Award for Best Three-Year-Old Colt at the JRA Awards for his success in 2005.

2006: Four-year-old season 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 the 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 due to having breathing problems.

Two weeks later, news from France Galop revealed Deep Impact was positive tested to Ipratropium, resulting in his disqualification. Connections announced the colt would retire to stud after that season in a syndication deal worth 5.1 billion yen. yeare Deep Impact then won the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen before being retired for stud duties.

He was given Japanese Horse of the Year for two consecutive years and JRA Award for Best Older Male Horse at the JRA Awards for his success in 2006.

In 2008, Deep Impact was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame.

Racing form Deep Impact won 12 races and placed in second once out of 14 starts. The data available is based on JBIS and netkeiba. DateCourseRaceClassDistance (Condition)FieldOdds(Favored)FinishTimeWinning(Losing)MarginJockeyWinner(2nd Place)Ref2004 – two-year-old seasonDec 19HanshinTwo Year Old DebutTurf 2,000 m (Firm)91.1 (1st)1st2:03.84 lengthsYutaka Take(Kongo Rikishio)2005 – three-year-old seasonJan 22KyotoWakagoma StakesOPTurf 2,000 m (Firm)71.1 (1st)1st2:00.85 lengthsYutaka Take(Keiai Hennessy)Mar 6NakayamaYayoi ShoGIITurf 2,000 m (Firm)101.2 (1st)1st2:02.2neckYutaka Take(Admire Japan)Apr 17NakayamaSatsuki ShoGITurf 2,000 m (Firm)181.3 (1st)1st1:59.2 lengthsYutaka Take(Six Sense)May 29TokyoTokyo YushunGITurf 2,400 m (Firm)181.1 (1st)1st2:23.35 lengthsYutaka Take(Inti Raimi)Sep 25HanshinKobe Shimbun HaiGIITurf 2,000 m (Firm)131.1 (1st)1st1:58.4 lengthsYutaka Take(Six Sense)Oct 23KyotoKikuka ShoGITurf 3,000 m (Firm)161.0 (1st)1st3:04.62 lengthsYutaka Take(Admire Japan)Dec 25NakayamaArima KinenGITurf 2,500 m (Firm)161.3 (1st)2nd2:32.0( length)Yutaka TakeHeart's Cry2006 – four-year-old seasonMar 19HanshinHanshin DaishotenGIITurf 3,000 m (Good)91.1 (1st)1st3:08.8 lengthsYutaka Take(Tokai Trick)Apr 30KyotoTenno Sho (Spring)GITurf 3,200 m (Firm)171.1 (1st)1st lengthsYutaka Take(Lincoln)Jun 25KyotoTakarazuka KinenGITurf 2,200 m (Good)131.1 (1st)1st2:13.04 lengthsYutaka Take(Narita Century)Oct 1LongchampPrix de l'Arc de TriompheGITurf 2,400 m (Good)83.25 (1st) DSQYutaka TakeRail LinkNov 26TokyoJapan CupGITurf 2,400 m (Firm)111.3 (1st)1st2:25.12 lengthsYutaka Take(Dream Passport)Dec 24NakayamaArima KinenGITurf 2,500 m (Firm)141.2 (1st)1st2:31.93 lengthsYutaka Take(Pop Rock)

indicated that it was a record time finish.

Stud record

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 11 consecutive years, from 2012 until 2022. He fathered a total of 59 Group 1 winners, including stars such as 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), Dolce More (2022 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes) and Masquerade Ball (2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn)). Deep Impact's Grandson, Forever Young became the first Japanese born and trained horse to win the USA Breeders' Cup Classic race in 2025.

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 (GB) f Poule d'Essai des Pouliches 2009 Deep Brillante c Tokyo Yushun (Derby) 2009 Gentildonna f Triple Tiara (Oka Sho, Yushun Himba, Shuka Sho), Japan Cup (twice), Dubai Sheema Classic, Arima Kinen 2009 Joie de Vivre f Hanshin Juvenile Fillies 2009 Spielberg c Tenno Sho (Autumn) 2009 Verxina f 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 Commemorative 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 (Hong Kong), 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, Japanese Triple Crown (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 (Spring) 2019 Killer Ability c Hopeful Stakes 2019 Ask Victor More c Kikuka Sho 2020 Auguste Rodin (IRE) c Vertem Futurity Trophy, Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf, Prince of Wales's Stakes

Death

On 30 July 2019, Deep Impact was euthanized after suffering a cervical fracture. The 2019 Japan Cup was named the Deep Impact Memorial. The news of his death was also reported in France. The day after receiving the news of his death, the newspaper Paris-Turf 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 Jour de Galop reported his death with the headline "Sayonara, Deep Impact," saying he was "a special presence in Japan that transcended the boundaries of a racehorse".

Pedigree

References

See also