Deep Impact (horse)

Deep Impact's sire Sunday Silence took over from perennial Japanese leading sire Northern Taste (10 time leading sire in Japan) and was 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.[1]

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.)

Deep Impact won over Admire Japan by two lengths in Kikuka Sho on 23 October 2005, thereby becoming the first horse since Narita Brian 11 years earlier to complete the Japanese Triple crown. He also became the first unbeaten Japanese Triple crown winner since Symboli Rudolf 21 years earlier, but in his next race, Arima Kinen, Deep Impact was defeated by Heart's Cry to suffer his first loss in his racing career.

In 2006 Deep Impact returned to the turf with an easy victory in the Hanshin Daishōten (Jpn-GII). Then he won the Tenno Sho (spring), beating the world record for a 3200-meter race in the time of (3'13"4), following this with a victory in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1 – 2200m). In October, he raced in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr – Group 1 – 2400m), but finished third. He was 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). Two weeks later, news from France Galop revealed Deep Impact was positive tested to Ipratropium. Connections announced the colt would retire to stud after that season in a syndication deal worth 5.1 billion yen. Deep Impact retired after he won the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen races in 2006.

Wins

• 2005 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (Domestic G2), Nakayama Turf 2000m
• 2005 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (Domestic G1), Nakayama Turf 2000m
• 2005 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (Domestic G1), Tokyo Turf 2400m
• 2005 Kobe Shimbun Hai (Domestic G2), Hanshin Turf 2000m
• 2005 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (Domestic G1), Kyoto Turf 3000m
• 2006 Hanshin Daishoten (G2), Hanshin Turf 3000m
• 2006 Tenno Sho (Spring) (Domestic G1), Kyoto Turf 3200m
• 2006 Takarazuka Kinen (G1), Kyoto Turf 2200m
• 2006 Japan Cup (G1), Tokyo Turf 2400m
• 2006 Arima Kinen (Domestic G1), Nakayama Turf 2500m

Second

• 2005 Arima Kinen (Domestic G1), Nakayama Turf 2500m

Finished Third

Later disqualified due to a positive drug test for a prohibited substance.

• 2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), Longchamp Turf 2400m

Tenno Sho 2006 on April 30

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 as the sire did.

On 30 July 2019, Deep Impact was euthanised after suffering a cervical fracture.[3] The 2019 Japan Cup was named the Deep Impact Memorial.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Deep Impact.

• List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses
• St Lite (Japanese first Triple crown in 1941)
• Shinzan (Japanese Triple crown in 1964)
• Mr. C.B. (Japanese Triple crown in 1983)
• Symboli Rudolf (Japanese first undefeated Triple crown in 1984)
• Narita Brian (Japanese Triple crown in 1994)
• Orfevre (Japanese Triple crown in 2011)