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HORSE RACING
Take rides Deep Impact to victory at Satsuki-sho
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Monday, April 18, 2005 at 05:00 JST
FUNABASHI — Yutaka Take guided top favorite Deep Impact to his fourth victory in four races in the 65th running of the Satsuki-sho, the first leg of the Japanese triple crown series on Sunday.
Deep Impact romped home in 1 minute, 59.2 seconds at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture to beat Six Sense by two-and-a-half lengths and claim victory and the 97 million yen in prize money. (Kyodo News)
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=6&id=334520
Deep Impact demolishes Satsuki-Sho field
Shintaro Kano / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
Deep Impact left an impact, all right.
Satsuki-Sho favorite Deep Impact was nothing short of spectacular on Sunday, blowing away the competition in the first race of the Japanese triple crown by 2-1/2 lengths at Nakayama Racecourse.
The Yutaka Take-ridden Deep Impact met enormous expectations to win the 65th Japanese 2,000 Guineas with a perfect record after his fourth career start, becoming the first undefeated horse to win the Satsuki-Sho since Agnes Tachyon in 2001.
The crowd of 85,146 did not leave the Chiba track disappointed, as Deep Impact, trained by Yasuo Ikee, hit the finish line ahead of long-shot Sixth Sense, the 12th choice in a full field of 18.
Third favorite Admire Japan followed one length behind, and 2-year-old champion Meiner Recolte and Admire Fuji rounded out the board at fourth and fifth, respectively.
"He was perfect," said Take, whose star colt will head to the May 29 Japan Derby, the second leg of the triple crown. "He wasn't running; he was flying.
"He was calm at the paddock, so I knew he was in pretty good form.
"I had a huge responsibility. It's a huge load off my shoulders."
Take survived a brief scare at the start, nearly falling off his mount inside the gate. He had flashbacks to the 2001 Kikka-Sho, the third race in the series, when he tumbled from favorite No Reason, the Satsuki-Sho winner that year.
"Once we were inside, it took a while before Admire Japan was posted," Take said. "He heard the whip, and that got him excited. I knew then we'd be slow to get out, and he tripped. I thought I was going to fall.
"It was a bit scary; it brought back memories of No Reason."
And for the first time with Deep Impact, Take had to bring out his whip, after hand riding the Sunday Silence bay to each of his three prior victories.
"At the fourth turn, he started to let up so I had to use it," said Take, who won his third Satsuki-Sho, tied for the all-time high. "He was a little bit surprised by it. But down the stretch, he was fantastic."
Deep Impact's winning time of 1 minute 59.2 seconds on excellent turf was seven tenths of a second off the course record, but he shot through the last three furlongs in 34 seconds flat.
That Deep Impact dominated despite a less than ideal start to the 2,000-meter race cannot be encouraging to his competitors. The Derby, two furlongs longer than the Satsuki-Sho, is at Tokyo Racecourse, where the home stretch runs more than 500 meters. The Nakayama final straight is only 310 meters.
Deep Impact was, in fact, pulling further away from the pack as he went under the wire to capture the first-place prized of 97 million yen, raising his career earnings to more 212 million yen.
Asked if he liked his chances better at the Derby, Take said, "I just won the Satsuki-Sho, for crying out loud. I'm sure I'll get those questions as we get closer to the Derby, so let me answer them then."
The 35-year-old, who now has 47 Grade 1 titles, refused to compare Deep Impact to any of the other thoroughbreds he has ridden. "I'm not doing that," Take said. "This horse is in his own right."
Big Planet, the only other unbeaten horse in the field, took the lead from the gates as expected with Kongo Rikishio on his tail. Daiwa King Con and Eishin Weiden trailed right behind.
Deep Impact, out of Wind In Her Hair, was second from the rear, brought up by Vermilion with Mirco Demuro in the irons. Demuro had won the race the two previous years and was runner-up the year before.
After avoiding the fall, Take said he and his partner quickly settled down. Take did not want to wear down Deep Impact by chasing the frontrunners too early.
"I wanted to bring him around step by step," Take said. "I was confident we would catch them in the end."
Deep Impact took the outside route along the final straight, and after Take cracked the whip a couple of times, the horse took off and there was no catching him.
Sixth Sense, with Hirofumi Shii in the saddle, surged through the middle with the Norihiro Yokoyama-ridden Admire Japan coming up on the inside.
Only one horse has ever won the triple crown with a perfect record, Symboli Rudolf accomplishing the feat in 1984.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050418wo54.htm
Take, Deep Impact combo looks unbeatable
Shintaro Kano / Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
There's good reason why runaway favorite Deep Impact has been generating unparalleled hype ahead of today's Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Japanese triple crown series.
Deep Impact, at even odds as of Saturday, is 3-for-3 in his career, and won his first two races by four and five lengths. He only won by a neck, but Yutaka Take's mount came from behind and was flung way outside in the race, a trial for the Satsuki Sho last month.
Trained by Yasuo Ikee, a former champion trainer, Deep Impact was sired by the late Sunday Silence, the top sire in the nation for the last decade who will likely be again this year. Sunday Silence has fathered six winners of the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2,000 Guineas.
Take, without question the Japan Racing Association's best rider, has been red hot this year. As if to make up for a disappointing Grade 1 campaign in 2004--by his standards, that is--the driven 36-year-old jockey has already won eight graded races in 2005, among them the Takamatsunomiya Kinen aboard Admire Max.
Ahead of the weekend, Take had 72 victories, 26 more than his nearest rival, Norihiro Yokoyama, and appeared well on course for his third consecutive 200-win year, simply a tremendous feat. It's the equivalent of a pitcher winning 30 games in three straight seasons in baseball.
Take, who is generally offered the best mounts in the nation, has made no secret of his admiration for Deep Impact.
"I know everyone is excited about this horse, but I'm the most excited," Take told reporters after Deep Impact won his second start in January.
Take has ridden seven of the 18 entries in this afternoon's 2,000-meter race at Nakayama Racecourse in Chiba Prefecture. But it's probably safe to say he didn't lose any sleep over choosing from the seven.
No stranger to star horses, Ikee has trained several G1 winners, including To the Victory, Mejiro McQueen and No Reason, with whom he won the Satsuki Sho with three years ago.
Yet even Ikee says Deep Impact is one of a kind. The 64-year-old trainer has been telling the media that his colt is the "ideal thoroughbred."
It seems only a freak accident will prevent Deep Impact from going under the wire first. If all goes right for this young superstar, the result could be embarrassing for the rest of the competition.
The early second favorite, way behind at 20-1, is the Katsumi Ando-ridden Rosenkreuz, followed by Admire Japan, who was second to Deep Impact in the trial race, the Yayoi Sho. Admire Japan, who will be in the steady hands of Yokoyama, was at 35-1.
Mirco Demuro of Italy, winner of the Satsuki Sho the last two years, has been paired with fifth choice Vermilion at 40-1. Vermilion's stock dropped after flopping to 14th in his prep race last month, but if the El Condor Pasa stalker has regained his 2-year-old form, Demuro could make things interesting down the home stretch.
Big Planet, the only other unbeaten horse in the field with a pair of victories, is expected to set the pace under sunny skies and excellent turf conditions.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050417wo51.htm
Unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner from JRHA <18th Apr 05>
He is definitely a super horse. Deep Impact won the G1/Satsuki Sho, Japanese 2000 Guineas, at Nakayama Racecourse on April 17th easily, and is now regarded as the red hot favorite for the G1/Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, at Fuchu Racecourse on May 29th.
The colt by Sunday Silence, out of Wind In Her Hair, G1 winner in Germany and finished second to Balanchine in the Epsom Oaks in 1994, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen, approximately $583,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date.
Trained by Yasuo Ikee, who won G1/Hong Kong Vase and G2/Sheema Classic by Stay Gold in 2001 and trained To The Victory who was runner-up to Captain Steve in G1/Dubai World Cup in the same year, Deep Impact made successful debut as he won the maiden of 2000m by four lengths on December 19th at Hanshin, where he covered the last three furlongs for 33.1 seconds. He reproduced the spectacular form as he won LR/Wakakoma Stakes over 2000m at Kyoto on January 22nd in devastating style. The winning margin was five lengths there and Yutaka Take, who rode him in both races, said, "I was just sitting on the saddle. He is a flawless thoroughbred".
His winning streak extended to three, as he won G2/Yayoi Sho on March 6th at Nakayama and collected first Graded Stakes for the colt, and then, Deep Impact has become the unbeaten Classic winner as he won the G1/Satsuki Sho as the odd-on favorite.
The Japanese Derby in 2004 was won by King Kamehamha, the JRHA Select Sale graduate,owned by Kaneko Makoto and bred by Katsumi Yoshida, as well.
http://www.jrha.or.jp/eng/html/updated_news/index.html
Favorite Deep Impact runs away with Derby
Shintaro Kano Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
Video link below
http://www.jra.go.jp/videointeractive/asx/r05_0529derby_dsl.asx
There was no stopping Deep Impact, again, and given his performance Sunday, it doesn't look like there will be.
Huge favorite Deep Impact won the 72nd running of the Derby by a comfortable five lengths and in record-tying time at Tokyo Racecourse, becoming just the sixth undefeated colt ever to capture the first two races of the Japanese triple crown.
The crowd of more than 140,000 did not go home disappointed as the Sunday Silence bay covered the 2,400 meters in 2 minutes 23.3 seconds, a record set by last year's winner, King Kamehameha.
Only one thoroughbred--Symboli Rudolf in 1984--has won the triple crown while staying unbeaten. Narita Brian was the last triple crown winner in 1994.
The final triple crown race, the 3,000-meter Kikka Sho, is on Oct. 23 at Kyoto.
"Honestly, I'm relieved because the expectations have been so high," jockey Yutaka Take said. "I've been doing this job for years now, but I have never experienced anything like this. The crew at the stable always does a wonderful job, so I wanted to do my end of it as the jockey.
"The horse sure did his. He was so strong today."
Take took home a record fourth Derby title, and trainer Yasuo Ikee won his first Derby. Owner Masato Kaneko won the race for the second straight year, following his triumph with the retired King Kamehameha.
"It feels like I'm dreaming," Ikee said. "The horse was in excellent shape, so I told Yutaka that it was all up to him, and he rode with such confidence."
Deep Impact finished ahead of second favorite Inti Raimi, with Tetsuzo Sato in the saddle. A further 2-1/2 lengths back in third was the Hirofumi Shii-ridden Sixth Sense, who was second at the Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the triple crown at 2,000 meters.
Admire Fuji and 2-year-old champion Meiner Recolte finished fourth and fifth, respectively, to fill the board. Third favorite Dantsu Kitcho, a trial race winner, was 13th.
This year's Derby was not particularly enticing to the bookies, with Deep Impact's winning ticket returning a meager 110 yen for the minimum wager of 100 yen --the lowest odds ever for the Derby. The trifecta paid only 4,250 yen .
Deep Impact fans received a brief scare prior to the race when the horse grew restless at the paddock, needing two men to walk him and started kicking his back legs high in the air.
Even Take said he was concerned with the edginess of his mount.
"He was like that at the Satsuki Sho, too, just a little emotional," he said. "But he held it together. I really was worried because he was getting so excited."
Deep Impact seemed to simmer down once reaching the course, which was in excellent condition. He did not get off to the best of starts--from post No. 5--but there was no danger of Take being thrown off as there was in the Satsuki Sho.
"I didn't want to get thrown off, especially with the expectations being so high," he said. "I was nervous about that. He still doesn't handle the gates very well."
Cosmo Austin, with Take's younger brother Koshiro in the irons, took the lead as the 18 entries departed from the gates along the front straight. Fellow long-shot Shadow Gate followed with Inti Raimi on his tail.
Cosmo Austin set an average pace, exhausting the first five furlongs in a tame 59.9 seconds.
The pack started to bunch up as it reached the end of the back stretch; at this point, Deep Impact was four from the rear and Inti Raimi had great positioning, sliding along the railing near the front.
In an attempt to dodge traffic, Take brought Deep Impact to the outside on the last turn. Deep Impact was so far out that he was closer to the outer railing than the inside one.
"At around the 600 meter sign, I gave him the green light," Take said. "When we hit the stretch, he slipped into another gear."
And the rest was history as we know it. Deep Impact tore through the last three furlongs in 34.5 seconds; he had the race in bag with around 200 meters remaining on the 525-meter home stretch at Fuchu, handing Take his third G1 title of the season.
"It feels great, no matter how many times you win it. I'm out of words," he said.
The 36-year-old Take also became the fastest rider to win 100 races in a year with his victory aboard Deep Impact, a month faster than the mark he set himself in 2004--the second straight year he posted 200 wins.
Deep Impact, out of Wind In Her Hair, is now 5-for-5. He has won 402.6 million yen for his career.
japan derby
(At Tokyo Racecourse)
1. Deep Impact (Y. Take) yen110 110 yen
@:2. Inti Raimi (Sato) 210 yen
3. Six Sense (Shii) 360 yen
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050530wo52.htm
Unbeaten Dual Classic winner from JRHA<30th May 05>
Deep Impact, the graduate of Japan Racing Horse Association's Select Foal Sale, made the history on May 29th at Fuchu Racecourse, winning the 72nd running of the Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, in devastating style.
The peoples' horse Deep Impact attracted the audience of 140,143, 14.8% more than the previous year, at Fuchu Racecourse, and 73.4% of the wagering on "win" was bet on the unbeaten Japanese 2000 Guineas winner. His odds, 1 to 10, is the shortest price in the history of Japanese Derby.
Deep Impact, ridden by Yutaka Take, was settled at the rear of 18 runners' field, started to make his move at the four furlong's pole, and draw clear on the homestretch. The winning time, 2 minutes 23.3 seconds, is equal to the stakes record, established by King Kamehameha a year ago.
This is the fourth Derby win for Yutaka Take, and the first Derby for the trainer Yasuo Ikee.
Deep Impact, colt by Sunday Silence, out of Wind in Her Hair, G1 winner in Germany and finished second to Balanchine in the Epsom Oaks in 1994, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen, approximately $583,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date. Makoto Kaneko, who won the Derby by King Kamehameha, who is also JRHA Select Sale's graduate, in 2004, has become the first owner to win the premier race for three-year-olds for two consecutive years.
Deep Impact has become the sixth unbeaten winner of the first and second legs of triple crown in Japan, and this is the sixth Derby for his sire,.Sunday Silence.
Deep Impact is now given a summer break, and then, aim the G1/Kikka Sho, the Japanese St.Leger, on October 23rd at Kyoto Racecourse, to be the sixth Triple Crown winner in the history of Japanese horse racing.
JRA
http://www.jrha.or.jp/eng/html/updated_news/index.html#30th%20May%2005
Won easy again today...he really is a superstar. If he comes over to Hong Kong for the Internationals he will give em something to think about.
Deep Impact keeps perfect record intact
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20050926TDY23002.htm
Shintaro Kano Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
The stage has been set for the birth of Japan's second ever unbeaten triple crown winner.
Three-year-old Deep Impact swept to a 2-1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai on Sunday afternoon, and will head to the final race of the triple crown next month, the 3,000-meter Kikka Sho, with his perfect record intact.
In a Grade 1 race-like atmosphere at Hanshin Racecourse, jockey Yutaka Take gave Deep Impact, the near odds-on favorite, a gentle run for 10 furlongs, winning in a time of 1 minute 58.4 seconds ahead of Sixth Sense. Rosen Kreuz finished third another three-quarters of a length back.
Take made it 6-for-6 aboard the Yasuo Ikee-trained Deep Impact, who, if he prevails in the Kikka Sho at Kyoto on Oct. 23, will become the first undefeated triple crown champion since Symboli Rudolf in 1984. No horse has captured the triple crown since Narita Brian in 1994.
"It's a huge goal for us," said Take, who has won the Kikka Sho three times. "This is the rarest of opportunities, and I definitely want to get it done. He is a truly wonderful horse and I want to make him a triple crown winner."
It was Deep Impact's first start since May 29, when he won the 2,400-meter Japan Derby to complete the double, creaming the competition by five lengths. A month before he took the Satsuki Sho over 10 furlongs to bag the first jewel in the triple crown.
The four-month layoff hardly affected Deep Impact on Sunday. Take had to bring out the whip just once down the final straight, and that was to keep his mount focused on the race. The rest was automatic.
"We didn't have to worry about a thing, even after four months," Ikee said. "The best thing about this horse is that he knows when a race is coming. I thought he'd be on the heavy side, but he got himself into shape."
(Sep. 26, 2005)
The Japan Times
Deep Impact a win away from Triple Crown
By BARBARA BAYER
Staff writer
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2005/sp20051021a1a.jpg
Deep Impact, with jockey Yutaka Take up, will try to become the sixth horse to win Japan's Triple Crown when he races in the Kikkasho at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.
Deep Impact -- it was a movie; it was a NASA mission; it's a super colt poised to make history this weekend in Kyoto when he makes his bid for the Triple Crown.
Deep Impact, with jockey Yutaka Take up, will try to become the sixth horse to win Japan's Triple Crown when he races in the Kikkasho at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.
The son of American champion Sunday Silence claimed the first two legs of Japan's Triple Crown, the Satsukisho and the Nippon Derby, by 2 1/2 lengths and five, and he has yet to know defeat in his six races to date.
If Deep Impact bests the field in the Kikkasho on Sunday -- and nearly an entire nation believes he will -- the slightly built colt with an apparent urge to fly will be only the second to capture the classic three undefeated.
A triple crown win in any country is a tremendous feat, whether the series spans merely a couple months, as in the U.S., or most of the year, as in England and Japan.
The creme de la creme of the year's three-year-old crop vie for some of the biggest purses and surely three of the most esteemed races a country has to offer.
Few colts or fillies even get to run in one of the races, let alone all three.
Injuries, a lack of earnings, or lack of ability keep most from the prestigious ranks of a classic race.
Fewer yet ever get to win one of the once-in-a-lifetime classics. In Japan, five have won all three.
Saint Lite in 1941, Shinzan in 1964, Mister C.B. in 1983, Symboli Rudolf in 1984 and Narita Brian in 1994.
Those are the hallowed five and Deep Impact may make it six after what is expected to be but a 3,000-meter, twice-around-the-turf romp for him Sunday.
Calling him "unbeatable in Japan," the "best horse ever seen" from this country.
It's high praise, but Deep Impact's effortless switch into high gear for a rocket-like finish is akin to watching a magic show -- or a miracle.
They say no one's going to catch him, but the Kikkasho (Chrysanthemum Prize) tussle for second place will be fierce.
Standouts in what is expected to be an all-male full gate of 18 are Six Sense and Rosenkreuz, also both by Sunday Silence.
Six Sense was second in the Satsukisho and Deep Impact's most recent race, the Sept. 25 Kobe Shimbun Hai. Six Sense finished third in the Derby. Rosenkreuz placed third in the Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Admire Japan (third in the Satsukisho) and Admire Fuji (fourth in the Derby) are getting some good reviews as well, as are Fusaichi Auster (second in the 2,200-meter G2 St. Lite Kinen Sept. 18) and Pisa no Patek (third in the St. Lite).
Post time is 3:40 p.m. this Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse (nearest station is Yodo on the Keihan Honsen).
Take a three-minute break to watch what not only may be one of racing's golden moments, but what is assuredly one of the best horses Japan has ever laid eyes on -- Deep Impact.
The Japan Times: Oct. 21, 2005
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/makeprfy.pl5?sp20051021a1.htm
Deep Impact set to become unbeaten triple crown winner
Shintaro Kano/Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter
For just the second time ever and the first time in 21 years, an unbeaten triple crown winner appears certain to be born this afternoon before an expected record crowd exceeding 120,000 at Kyoto Racecourse in the ancient capital.
The nation tunes in as Deep Impact, who claimed the first two triple crown races in the spring, flees from the No. 7 stall at 3:40 p.m. in the 3,000-meter Kikka Sho, often said to be the toughest leg in the triple crown challenge.
But as tough as a contest the Japanese St. Leger may be, the only thing that will stop the 3-year-old Sunday Silence colt from entering the game's pantheon seems to be Deep Impact himself.
Ridden by superstar Yutaka Take, Deep Impact has been nothing short of dominant in his six victories up to date. Beginning with his maiden win on Dec. 19 and up to his Kikka Sho tune-up last month, the 450-kilogram bay has wowed everyone from his jockey to his competitors to his critics, and most importantly, his fans.
Deep Impact won the Satsuki Sho in April, the first jewel of the triple crown, by 2-1/2 lengths. He doubled the margin of victory in the Japan Derby, the marquee event of the series.
Take, no stranger to riding some of the finest blue bloods in the modern game with an incredible 49 Grade 1 wins in his career, has likened riding Deep Impact to piloting an airplane. "It feels like I'm flying, rather than riding a horse," said the 36-year-old Take, a three-time Kikka Sho winner well on his way to a record fourth medallion. "I'm so glad to have met him."
With Deep Impact, it's not a matter of if, but how. Of the five past triple crown winners, Narita Brian in 1994 won the Kikka Sho by the largest spread of seven lengths. The only other undefeated triple crown champion, Symboli Rudolf, who was nicknamed the "Emperor," took the title by just under four lengths.
Given the way Deep Impact has left the competition in the dust so far, one has to think he can upstage Brian's performance from 11 years ago. In recent years, the Kikka Sho has become more of a closer's race rather than a frontrunner's, a trend that will suit Take's mount just fine.
Deep Impact is even tempered, and can keep up with any pace. With today's journey lasting 15 furlongs, Take will be in no hurry to joust for positioning. He can simply stay in midfield or toward the back, and bring his ride out around the next to last turn, where the famous Kyoto hill lies.
As long as Deep Impact can find a free lane down the flat 400-meter final straight, the rest ought to be history.
His biggest threat (if you can call it that) among the field of 16--two short of capacity, a sign, perhaps, that Deep Impact has scared off his peers--could be Sixth Sense, the early 20-1 second favorite.
Sixth Sense was runner-up in the Satsuki Sho and third in the Derby. He also went under the wire second behind Deep Impact in last month's Kikka Sho trial, the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai.
Also looking good is Rosenkreuz, who was third in the Kobe Shimbun Hai and will be ridden by the shrewd Katsumi Ando. Ando foiled the last triple crown bid two years ago, when he beat Neo Universe aboard That's the Plenty, taking the lead early in the trip and hanging on for victory.
Rosenkreuz is a different horse than he was in the spring, when he disappointed with eighth- and ninth-place finishes in the first two Classic races. The Sunday Silence bay put on a dozen kilograms over the summer, and it'll be interesting to see if Ando employs the same tactic he used with That's the Plenty.
But even that might not be enough to stop Deep Impact. After all, today's race is for him to lose, and not for the others to capture.
"Please come out to Kyoto Racecourse," Take said on his official Web site. "Because years and years from now, you'll be able to say that you saw Deep Impact in the flesh when he did it."
(Oct. 23, 2005)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20051023TDY22003.htm
Deep Impact - is he the best ever?
Champion horses can sometimes take racing off the back pages and put themselves in the eye of the general public. In recent years, the United States have had Smarty Jones, Australia has had Makybe Diva, and Hong Kong has had Silent Witness. This year, Japan has seen the very aptly named Deep Impact win over the racing and non-racing public - perhaps moreso than any of the above.
So why all the fuss? Deep Impact debuted in December last year in a 2000m Newcomer race at Hanshin racecouse, just outside of Osaka. As a son of Sunday Silence out of the Irish mare Wind in Her Hair (who had already produced the highly rated sprinting mare Lady Blonde, and the classic performer Black Tide), to be ridden by champion Japanese jockey Yutaka Take, and after working well in preparation for his debut, it was not surprising that Deep Impact started a very short favourite in the field of 9. After sitting midfield during the race, Take asked Deep Impact to go to the lead coming into the straight, and the race was over shortly after. The win was impressive, and after coming home in an incredible 33.1 seconds for his last 600m, a few brave souls predicted that this horse could be something special.
His second racetrack appearance, in January this year, shocked everyone who saw it. After settling last in the listed ("Tokubetsu") class race for 3yos, Deep Impact won by 5 lengths pulling away. But it wasn't the margin that had everyone talking, it was the fact that he was never even really asked for an effort by Take, but still ran 33.6 seconds for his last 600m, even though the race had been run at a fairly high pace.
His 3rd race start was his first attempt at Group level, and even though the field in the Group 2 Yayoi Sho was clearly the best 3yo field assembled up to that point, including Group 1 winning Champion 2yo Meiner Recolt and several other proven Group performers, Deep Impact once again started a prohibitively short favourite. Conservatively ridden by Take, Deep Impact circled the field coming into the straight, and although Admire Japan (another beautifully bred son of Sunday Silence) made the race interesting after receiving a cosy run through on the rails, Deep Impact held off the challenge under hands and heels riding to continue on his winning way.
His 4th race start was his first start in a Group 1 race, and was the first leg of what he had been aimed at, ever since his devastating debut the previous December - the Japanese classic Triple Crown. The pinnacle of Japanese racing, the Triple Crown for 3yo colts consists of the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas equivalent) over 2000m, the Group 1 Japanese Yushun (Derby) over 2400m, and finally the Kikka Sho (St Leger) over 3000m. Being unbeaten in his 3 first starts and having already beaten his major challengers in the lead-up Yayoi Sho, once again Deep Impact started a short favourite.
All of Deep Impact's wins have been impressive and memorable, but his performance in the Satsuki Sho was simply amazing. Against a full field of 18 which assembled the best 3yos in Japan, Deep Impact stumbled badly at the start, and Take did very well to stay onboard. Giving the field about 5 lengths start, Take had no choice but to settle at the tail. On the tight turning Nakayama track, all eyes were fixed on when and how Take would make his move, and as they approached the final turn, Take took Deep Impact around the outside of the entire field and in no time he was up outside the leading group. Approximately 7 to 8 wide for the last 800m, Deep Impact was entitled to stop in the straight, but he did the opposite. He pulled away from the field - and his sectional for the last 200m for the race was actually his fastest of the race!
Those familiar with Japanese racing would remember the 3yo crop of 2001, who were considered one of the best ever - Agnes Tacheon, Jungle Pocket, Kurofune etc. Jungle Pocket was the unlucky horse in the 2001 Satsuki Sho when, just as Deep Impact did this year, he missed the start horribly from the inside barrier, and was therefore forced to circle the field. Although he challenged the eventual winner (Agnes Tacheon) coming into the straight, he tired to finish 3rd. People may remember that Jungle Pocket then went on to win the Japanese Derby and the Japan Cup both later that year.
Deep Impact, in contrast to Jungle Pocket, did not tire, but in fact pulled away from the field in the final straight, and the overall time for the race was 1:59.2, more than a second faster recorded in Jungle Pocket's year! For anyone trying to objectively compare the feats of Deep Impact with previous champion 3yos, it is clear that his run in the Satsuki Sho definitely compares favourably with the crop of 2001.
Another benchmark we have for Deep Impact, is the record time he ran in his next start, the Japanese Derby. Once again, getting a long way back in the field, Take brought Deep Impact around the field approaching the final turn at Tokyo racecourse, and in an instant, he was up challenging for the lead. Down the long Tokyo straight, Deep Impact gradually drew further and further in front of the very brave Inti Raimi to win by 5 lengths, with another 2 1/2 lengths back to Sixth Sense in 3rd place.
The time for the race was 2:23.3, and equalled the race record set last year by the very impressive Kingmambo colt King Kamehameha, who is now one of the most popular stallions in Japan. Remarkably, the owner of Deep Impact, Mr Masato Kaneko, was also the owner of King Kamehameha, together with other such champions as Kurofune (world champion miler in 2001) and To the Victory (2nd in the 2001 Dubai World Cup).
After winning the Derby - the pinnacle for any Japanese owner, trainer or jockey, Take was asked for an appropriate nickname for Deep Impact. He responded "The Hero".
The structure of the triple crown sees the frst two legs run as part of the Spring racing carnival, in April and June respectively, before testing the aspirants' ability to come back as more seasoned 3yos in the Autumn and run a strong 3000m. The wait for the reappearance of Deep Impact felt like an eternity for Japanese racing fans.
There were voices calling for Deep Impact to travel overseas for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but connections were never going to sacrifice the chance of winning the Japanese Triple Crown, something that any horse has only once chance in a lifetime of achieving, and considered the "Holy Grail" of Japanese racing.
Fans were keen to watch Deep Impact's reappearance on the racetrack, with hundreds lining up at Hanshin racecourse just outside Osaka, up to 2 weeks prior to the Group 2 Kobe Shinbun Hai, the race chosen as his lead up to the Kikka Sho. The nerves were obvious on raceday - not only for connections, but for the 47,000 fans who packed into Hanshin (a crowd better than several Group 1 racedays this year). Had Deep Impact come back the same horse? Would the hot summer have taken much out of him? How had he matured after the break?
The nerves were not necessary. If anything, Deep Impact showed he had matured over the summer, with Take winning as he liked, the final margin officially recorded as 2 1/2 lengths.
All was set for the Kikka Sho. No jockey in Japan has ridden more great horses and crowd favourites that Take, but even he was clearly surprised by the press attention given to Deep Impact in the lead up to the final leg of the Triple Crown. Special programs were broadcast on commercial TV stations, newspapers highlighted the significance of the feat with special liftouts and columns, and huge numbers of reporters and photographers followed Deep Impact's every move.
Although the race was to be held on October 23rd, fans began lining up on October 2. On raceday, the JRA opened the gates early at 7:20 am. At that time, 12,000 people had joined the queue to get into the racecourse. Reserved seating was sold out at 4:56am that morning. Commemorative Deep Impact dolls were sold in limited numbers for 3,000 yen (these dolls would later sell for up to 80,000 yen on Internet Auctions).
By the time Deep Impact appeared on the track for his shot at history, the crowd has swelled to 137,000, the biggest crowd ever for the Kikka Sho. The grandstands rocked with the traditional fans' handclapping in time with the fanfare.
The race itself was a nervewracking one for all concerned. For the first time in his short career, Deep Impact left the stalls perfectly, and found himself in the first half of the field. Keen to go faster, Deep Impact pulled severely for the first 1000m of the race, with Take desparate to find cover in order to allow the horse to settle. Finally, Take was able to slot Deep Impact in behind horses and he began to race more generously. The field strung out over many lengths, with Admire Japan (the only horse to ever get close to Deep Impact) sitting second, with Deep Impact midfield. When the speed went on with 1000m to go, Admire Japan was still well in front. As the field swung into the straight, Admire Japan kicked well clear of the rest of the field, and Take moved Deep Impact into second place chasing the leader.
For a few nervous seconds at the top of the straight, the huge crowd held their breath. Would the champ be able to catch this runaway leader? When they got to the 200m though, it was clear Deep Impact was going win. Passing Admire Japan at the 80m mark to pull away for a 2 length victory, Deep Impact raced into the history books.
Take (who has ridden many great horses in Japan, and several good horses overseas) had no hesitation in declaring Deep Impact, "the best horse in the world today" after the win.
Deep Impact has been to the races 7 times for 7 wins. Although he only won by a neck in his 3rd start, he has won all 7 races with ridiculous ease. His starting price in his 7 races has been (in order, and for a 100 yen investment): 110, 110, 120, 130, 110, 110 and 100yen (yes money back!). He has earned over 610 million yen.
In winning the Kikka Sho unbeaten, Deep Impact joined the horse previously considered the best horse to ever race in Japan - Symboli Rudolf, who achieved the same feat in 1984. Only 5 horses had ever won the triple crown before Deep Impact added his name to the list this year - the last to do so was Narita Brian in 1994.
Deep Impact will now head to the "Grand Prix" Arima Kinen, the feature race of the Japanese racing calendar. This year the race will be run on Christmas Day, and there is no doubt the crowd will be huge. The race has the largest betting turnover of any race in the world, and Deep Impact will be all over the media in the lead-up to the race.
Deep Impact's owner Mr. Kaneko has mentioned the possibility of racing overseas next year -the likely ultimate target being the 2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
http://japanracing.jp/news2005/051102.html
Monday, December 12, 2005
Japanese revel in Sense's effort
MURRAY BELL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Japanese three-year-old Six Sense ran a cracking race to defeat all but Europe's champion filly Ouija Board, but paid an even greater compliment to a horse that remained at home.
Deep Impact, the unbeaten son of Sunday Silence, cut a swathe through Japan's classic season and Six Sense was left labouring in his wake in each of the three key races, and a Group Two lead-up as well.
"I am very happy and proud with my colt's performance today," said trainer Hiroyuki Nagahama, through a translator.
"It shows he is a very good horse but it's a great compliment to Japanese racing in general and in particular to Deep Impact. Six Sense has not been able to give Deep Impact any trouble at all."
Although the margin between Ouija Board and Six Sense was definitive - 2-3/4 lengths - the Japanese three-year-old lost no admirers because he was propped out wide without cover for most of the race.
Which makes us wonder, just how good must Deep Impact be?
The wonder colt is seven from seven, and posted thoroughly impressive wins in all three legs of Japan's three-year-old triple crown. Six Sense finished second to him in the Japanese 2,000 Guineas, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, and third to him in the Derby in May, with the margin this time 7-1/2 lengths.
When they next met in the Group Two Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2,000 metres at Hanshin on September 25, it was a perfect replication of the 2,000 Guineas result - Six Sense finishing second at a respectful margin of 2-1/2 lengths.
Their fourth meeting was in Japan's equivalent of the St Leger, the Kikuka Sho on October 23, when Deep Impact again won effortlessly and Six Sense this time missed the place, finishing 6-1/2 lengths behind the super star in fourth spot.
Deep Impact is scheduled to have one more run before the year is out and connections of Six Sense attempted what David Oughton did with Cape Of Good Hope - they headed overseas to avoid the dominant horse of the era. In Ouija Board, they found another one. But the greater thoroughbred world gained an even deeper respect for the champion they sought to avoid.
http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news/news20051212b.asp
Deep Impact suffers first setback at Arima
By BARBARA BAYER
Special to the Japan Times
FUNABASHI, Chiba Pref. -- No Christmas cheer awaited this year's superstar Deep Impact on Sunday, at least not in the form of an Arima Kinen victory and its 180-million yen winner's bounty.
Four-year-old colt Heart's Cry (left) beats out Triple Crown winner and heavily favored Deep Impact (right) in the final Grade One race Arima Kinen at Nakayama Racecourse in Funabashi, Chiba Pref.
Instead, this year's Triple Crown champion was handed the first defeat of his career, a loss by half a length to Japan Cup runnerup and race fourth pick Heart's Cry. Sixth-choice Lincoln and 10th-pick Cosmo Bulk finished in third and fourth place, respectively.
Thousands of well-wishers packed the Nakayama stands on Christmas Day for the 50th running of the yearend finale.
A total of 1,480 people had waited outside the gates overnight to try to get a trackside position. By 7 a.m., over 6,500 people had gathered outside the venue.
In all, more than 162,000 racing fans made their way to the Nakayama racetrack Sunday in the hopes of -- no, the expectations of -- seeing Deep Impact extend his winning streak to eight. Instead, forced to accept the unacceptable, the winner of Sunday's Arima was met not with cheers, but with stunned silence.
It had all looked fine, until the final moments.
Deep Impact took up a characteristic rearward position, progressing slowly to midpack by the backstretch and to within striking distance by the final turn. From there, however, something went amiss.
His rider, Yutaka Take, was at a lost to understand just what.
"He was fine till the final turn. He was relaxed and running well. But when he changed leads and I gave him a smack with the whip, there was no response, no kick. He didn't give me his usual flying leap, his usual burst of speed. I have no idea why," Take said with bewilderment. "He could have won today. He has the ability. I just don't know what happened."
In contrast, French rider Chrstophe Lemaire was on cloud nine and Heart's Cry's trainer, Kojiro Hashiguchi, was with him.
"We did it! At last!" were the words that came from Hashiguchi as his colt crossed the line in first. "Our turn finally, finally came!"
Indeed, Heart's Cry, had become somewhat of a perennial second-best, failing to win since last May, but finishing second four times in his last 10 races.
This time, however, Lemaire decided to change his tactics.
"After the Japan Cup, I reflected long and hard. He had run well, so I decided I would change," he said.
For the first time in his 17 races, Heart's Cry was given a frontseat position. Usually remaining far off the pace, in his second Arima bid he raced from the front, just behind pacesetters Tap Dance city, Cosmo Bulk and Osumi Haruka. He was able to gain the lead with 200 meters to go and with it the win.
Heart's Cry, by Sunday Silence out of the Tony Bin mare Irish Dance, was bred at Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm in Hokkaido. He is owned by the same, under the Shadai Race Horse name.
The bay 4-year-old is now 4 for 16, with nearly 556 million yen in earnings. His winning time in the Arima was 2 minutes 31.9 seconds. It was the first win of the Arima for both trainer Hashiguchi and jockey Lemaire.
The Japan Times: Dec. 26, 2005
(C) All rights reserved
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getsp.pl5?sp20051226a1.htm
************************************************** *******
Hoping for Deep Impact in Japan
Brendan Cormick
December 24, 2005
THE race with the largest betting turnover in the world will be run on Christmas Day in Japan with the horse acclaimed as the best in the world set to stretch his unbeaten run to eight wins.
On one of the two days Australian racing shuts down for the year, Deep Impact takes on 2004 Japan Cup winner Zenno Rob Roy in the Arima Kinen (the Grand Prix) feature race on the Japanese racing calendar. The Grand Prix will draw a huge crowd to Nakayama, one that worships the turf galloped on by a horse that began racing just 12 months ago and has since captured the nation's imagination.
Deep Impact made his debut in a 2000m newcomer's race at Hanshin. Ridden by champion Japanese jockey Yutaka Take, Deep Impact started a very short favourite in the field of nine and created a huge impression with a barnstorming victory.
In January at his second start, Deep Impact won by five-lengths. In the Group II Yayoi Sho, against a gathering of smart three-year-olds, Deep Impact circled the field coming into the straight and won under hands and heels riding, stretching his sequence to three.
Then came the Japanese Triple Crown - the Satsuki Sho (Guineas) over 2000m, the Japanese Yushun (Derby) over 2400m and the Kikka Sho (St Leger) over 3000m. In the first leg, in a capacity field of 18, Deep Impact stumbled at the start and Take did all he could to stay on. A clear last to the final turn, Deep Impact circled the field eight wide and pulled away to score.
Deep Impact ran a record-equalling time in the Japanese Derby (2min23.3sec) last May but the St Leger was still five months away. The horse with the cult following went to Hanshin for the Leger Trial in September with 47,000 fans packing in to watch the unbeaten galloper romping home over 2000m first-up.
As Makybe Diva was dominating the Australian scene, Deep Impact was doing the same in Japan. Special programs were broadcast on television, newspapers ran special liftouts while scores of reporters and photographers followed his every move up to the St Leger.
On race morning, the Japan Racing Association opened the gates early at 7 o'clock to accommodate the 12,000-people queue. Reserved seating was sold out at 4.56am. Deep Impact dolls were sold in limited numbers for 3000 yen ($35) and would later sell on internet auction sites for $1000. The crowd swelled to 137,000 - the biggest crowd ever for the Kikka Sho. Deep Impact pulled severely for the first 1000m but then the field strung out leaving Deep Impact midfield.
When Admire Japan kicked well clear of the field turning into the home straight, the hero of Japanese racing burst from the ruck into second place. The money-back favourite grabbed Admire Japan with 80m to go and drew clear to win by two-lengths and claim a piece of history (joining the five other Triple Crown winners), prompting Take to declare Deep Impact the best horse in the world.
Long range plans for Deep Impact include a European campaign centred on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17653847%255E2722,00.html
Deep Impact big in Japan
Tony Arrold
December 26, 2005
GOOD luck, good judgment, or a combination of both has left Masato Kaneko the sort of owner most in the thoroughbred racing game aspire to be.
Kurofune brought Kaneko to the winner's circle on two big race days of 2001 -- firstly in the GroupI NHK Mile (1600m), on grass, during Japan's midsummer season, and later in the Group I Japan Cup Dirt, on dirt.
By the outstanding Deputy Minister horse French Deputy, a shuttle horse into the Arrowfield Stud in NSW, Kurofune has kicked off his stud career on a dream note -- he has the winner of Japan's only Group I race for male two-year-olds in his first crop of runners.
last year, Kaneko's runners included King Kamehamaha, a Kingmambo colt who landed the prestigious NHK Mile-Japan Derby double before an injury put him to the sidelines and eventually to a stud career.
But given the sheer quality of Kurofune and King Kamehamaha, owner Kaneko was not ready to shut up shop on racing more outstanding horses.
He is the owner of Deep Impact, a colt spoken of in rarefied circles at home as, possibly, the best horse produced in Japan.
Deep Impact is yet to be beaten in seven starts. He has one more assignment this year, the Group I Arima Kinen -- the people's race -- open to all ages under set weights over 2500m.
Run on Nakayama racecourse, the Arima Kinen (Grand Prix) is a year-ender highlight for Japan's race fans because the field is determined by popular public vote vote and there are up to 18 starters.
The 2005 Arima Kinen field will feature past winners Zenno Rob Roy and Tap Dance City, Makybe Diva's Tenno Sho conqueror Suzuka Mambo, the 2004 Japan Derby runner-up and 2005 Japan Cup runner-up Heart's Cry and, of course, Deep Impact.
What every race fan on Nakayama will want most of all from the race is that the Arima Kinen will not be the racing finale for Deep Impact, which is the game plan for Zenno Rob Roy and Tap Dance City, with a stud career next year awaiting the two Japan Cup winners.
If he is to be the best, or one of the best, horse seen in Japan, his fans will demand more than just 12 months of his life.
Deep Impact was first seen under colours at Hanshin in December last year, one of nine in a newcomers' race for two-year-olds over 2000m.
He was immediately seen as something special, with a rattling 33.1 seconds to close off the final 600m.
He next appeared in January for a five-length win over the same trip, but taking a half second longer to run the last 600m.
He then took a break for an early March return to scramble in by a neck from Admire Japan in a Group II race for three-year-olds, again at 2000m.
This test was what he needed to hone him for the Group I Satsuki Sho (2000m), Japan's version of the 2000 Guineas. He broke the elusive two-minute barrier to win easily by 2 1/2 lengths, with Six Sense taking second place ahead of Admire Japan.
The Satsuki Sho is the first leg of the Japan triple crown series, with the Group I Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby) over 2400m in late May as the second leg and the Group I Kikuka Sho (St Leger) over 3000m in late October the final leg.
Deep Impact stumbled badly at the start of the Tokyo Yushun, leaving him a distinct last of 18 on settling down. He won the classic by five lengths in a time of 2min 23.30sec, which equalled King Kamehamaha's 2004 race record.
He had another break until late September, when he took in the Group II Kobe Shimbun Hai (2000m) to prepare him for the Kikuka Sho. Again he was under the two-minute barrier -- clocking a blistering 1min 58.40sec -- to win by 2 1/2 lengths from the Tokyo Yushun third-placegetter Six Sense.
On October 23, almost 137,000 race fans were on hand at Kyoto racecourse to witness Deep Impact make short work of Admire Japan and 14 others in the Kiku Sho.
In extending his unbeaten record to seven, Deep Impact became the sixth three-year-old to sweep Japan's triple crown series, joining only Symboli Rudolph (1984) to have completed the series still undefeated.
Deep Impact had increased his earnings after the triple crown sweep to about $6.93million.
Owner Kaneko bought him out of the Northern Farm's draft of youngsters at the 2002 Japan Select foal sale -- one of 21 foals from the penultimate foal crop of his legendary sire Sunday Silence.
Deep Impact was foaled by Wind In Her Hair, a Group I winning mare by the Lyphard horse Alzao and also a mare with royal connections.
Irish-bred Wind In Her Hair is a daughter of Burghclere, a non-winning daughter of the outstanding middle-distance runner Busted.
Burghclere's mother Highclere was bred and raced by Queen Elizabeth. By Queen's Hussar, Highclere won the English 1000 Guineas and French Oaks before becoming the dam of, among others, the very classy Height Of Fashion, by Busted's English St Leger winning son Bustino.
Height of Fashion subsequently produced four major winners, but notably English 2000 Guineas-Derby winner Nashwan. She also foaled Group I winner Nayef and Group II winners Unfuwain and Alwasmi.
Wind In Her Hair won two races in England where she was runner-up in the Oaks, to Balanchine, but claimed her Group I in the Aral-Pokal, a prestigious all-aged weight-for-age race over 2400m in Germany.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17661148%255E2722,00.html
Brillant ride by Christophe-Patrice Lemaire who said later that he wanted to put Heart's Cry in front of Deep Impact because he knew that the straight line of Nakayama was short and he didn't want to be under the ferocious turn of foot of Deep Impact. Anyway i was not so confident about the chance of Heart's Cry but he proves that his nose defeat in the Cup was no fluke and that this horse is a rock. Great atmosphere at Nakayama with such good attendance....Great race !
Yes, probably a good ride on the winner and an over-confident ride on board Deep Impact. I think there is little doubt that he could of...and probably should of...won. But thems the breaks and me thinks it will be a while before we see the record of Silent Witness get broken.
Heart's Cry beats Deep Impact in the 50th Arima Kinen!
In front of 162,000 fans who packed into Nakayama racecourse in Tokyo expecting to see the 2005 Triple Crown winner Deep Impact win the 50th running of the Group 1 Arima Kinen, Heart's Cry and jockey Christophe Lemaire spoilt the party by hitting the lead in the straight and holding off the favourite's challenge.
With Heart's Cry's traditional pattern of racing being to start slowly and finish strongly, the fans were expecting to see him out the back of the field with Deep Impact, but after starting well, Lemaire took the 3rd favourite towards to the front to the field, and gave him a perfect transit throughout the race.
http://japanracing.jp/news2005/images/051225-01.jpg
As expected, Tap Dance City took the early lead, although the pace was much slower than most had predicted. With other natural leaders such as Osumi Haruka and Big Gold in the field, many had expected that the pace in the race would be hot - similar to that in the Japan Cup held last month, but the high pace did not eventuate, and horses on the pace had every chance. Heart's Cry was perfectly positioned by Lemaire, in contrast to Deep Impact, who jockey Yutaka Take positioned at the rear of the field.
As the field approached the halfway mark of the 2500m race, Take began to make his move on Deep Impact, and the crowd began to roar. Approaching the final turn, Deep Impact was approaching the leaders 6 or 7 wide, and the crowd wound up for his much anticipated victory.
However, in front of Deep Impact, Lemaire was also making his move on Heart's Cry, and as the field entered the straight, Heart's Cry rounded up the leading group. Tap Dance City stopped quickly for a disappointing end to a long, successful career in what was the Group 1 winner's final race start. Cosmo Bulk, the NAR horse who had excited Japanese racing fans in 2004, went past Tap Dance City to hit the lead at the top straight but it was a short-lived lead.
http://japanracing.jp/news2005/images/051225-02.jpg
With 250m to go, Heart's Cry had hit the lead, but Deep Impact was out and chasing and was less than a length behind. For the final 250m, it was a two-horse race, and while the crowd prayed as one for a Deep Impact victory, it was not to be. With 100m to go, it was clear that Deep Impact had run out of time, and the roars of the crowd turned to sighs. Although the 3yo champion was still closing at the finish, he had been forced to make up too much ground and Heart's Cry went to the line to win by half a length. Lincoln, who had finished in 4th in the Japan Cup, fought on well to hold down 3rd place ahead of Cosmo Bulk, and the outsider Coin Toss.
It was the first Group 1 win for Heart's Cry, who had always been ridden from well back in the field, and although he had been placed in some of Japan's biggest races, including a close 2nd in November's Japan Cup and the Japanese Derby, he chose Japan's biggest race - the Arima Kinen, to break through for his inaugural Group 1 victory. It was also the first Group 1 win in Japan for French jockey Lemaire. He too had finished close up in several major Japanese Group 1 races, but had never broken through for victory. After the race, Lemaire said "I love racing in Japan, and I am so happy that I could win the biggest race in Japan as my first Group 1 win. It was great to see all the fans here today to watch two champion horses - Heart's Cry and Deep Impact, and I hope you all keep coming to the races!".
The disappointment of the race was 2004 Horse of the Year, Zenno Rob Roy who was having his last race start, but was under hard riding at the 800m and never looked like troubling the leaders.
With the dominant favouritism of Deep Impact, betting turnover was down slightly on last year, with 4.99 billion yen being invested on the race, but interest in the race this year was clearly up on previous years, with crowd numbers up (at Nakayama racecourse alone, the crowd was approximately 40,000 more than last year), and the media coverage was extensive.
With Japanese racing finished for 2005, interest will now turn to where today's victor Heart's Cry, and Triple Crown winner Deep Impact will be aimed next year.
http://japanracing.jp/news2005/051225-01.html
Posted: 1/23/2006
Deep Impact named Japan's top Thoroughbred
Deep Impact, the first undefeated winner of Japan's Triple Crown since Symboli Rudolf in 1984, easily secured Japan Racing Association's 2005 Horse of the Year Award, collecting 285 of 291 votes.
Deep Impact, a son of Sunday Silence, improved his record to seven-for-seven by completing the Triple Crown with a victory in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) before closing out the year with a runner-up finish to Heart's Cry in the Arima Kinen. Deep Impact earned best three-year-old honors while Heart's Cry secured best older male honors.
Other award winners included: best two-year-old colt, two-time stakes winner Fusaichi Richard; best two-year-old filly, stakes winner T M Precure; best three-year-old filly, American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1) winner Cesario (Jpn); best older female, Sweep Tosho, a multiple stakes-winning daughter of End Sweep; best sprinter or miler, Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) winner Hat Trick; best dirt horse, Japan Cup Dirt (Jpn-G1) winner Kane Hekili; and best steeplechaser, T M Dragon.
Top trainer by earnings went to Katsuhiko Sumii, while Tsutomu Setoguchi earned best trainer by races won, Yuji Ito secured the best trainer by winning percentage, and Kazuo Fujisawa earned best trainer by training technique.
Yutaka Take earned best jockey in all four flat racing categories while Yoshiyuki Yokoyama was named best steeplechase jockey.
The association's Equine Cultural Award went to a NHK documentary on Deep Impact called, "Galloping to Glory."
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=60065&subsec=3
Fighting Tiger
17-02-2006, 18:04
Does anyone know of Deep Impact's likely spring campaign in 06?
I am assuming he is being aimed at the Tenno Sho at Kyoto on April 30th - but I do not know for sure.
All being well I would like to see the big boy in the flesh before he retires & will make the journey to Japan to see him if I can.
Imaufo can you be of any help? :)
* No news as yet but Ill work on it :)
Meanwhile..........
Deep Impact Runs Away With Japan Horse of the Year Honors
by Blood-Horse Staff
Date Posted: 1/23/2006 12:12:23 PM
Edited Japan Racing Association release
Deep Impact, the first colt to claim all three Triple Crown races while still undefeated since Symboli Rudolf 21 years ago, has been named the near-unanimous winner of the Japan Racing Association's 2005 Horse of the Year award, collecting 285 out of 291 votes. Heart's Cry, the year's best Older Colt Or Horse and the only opponent to beat Deep Impact, by a half-length in the year-end Arima Kinen (Jpn-I), was the only other contestant considered for the year's top award.
Deep Impact's historic achievements during the year also earned him unanimous selection as top 3-Year-Old Colt. Cesario and Hat Trick, who both turned in strong performances in overseas racing, were named best 3-Year-Old Filly and best Sprinter/Miler, respectively. Cesario also won the award for best Horse by Home-Bred Sire.
Katsuhiko Sumii claimed the best trainer (by money earned) title, having trained not only Cesario and Hat Trick, but also Kane Hekili, who enjoyed his own extremely successful 3-year-old season by rivaling the achievements of Deep Impact on dirt and proving himself a worthy opponent of older grade I racers. Sumii, who has trained for just six seasons, has already made an international name for himself with two grade I victories overseas and is expected to vie for JRA awards for years to come.
All but one of nine awards to horses were received comfortably, with each winner receiving well above 200 votes. The one closely contested award was best 3-Year-Old Filly. Cesario claimed the title by just nine votes over Rhein Kraft, who captured two grade I titles, including a victory against older male runners in the NHK Mile Cup.
Tsutomu Setoguchi, who trained Rhein Kraft, won best trainer (races won) for the first time. Setoguchi had saddled many outstanding JRA award winners in past seasons, including Oguri Cap ('90 Horse of the Year, best Older Colt or Horse, '88 best 3-Year-Old Colt), God Speed ('99 best Steeplechase Horse) and Neo Universe ('03 best 3-Year-Old Colt). Kazuo Fujisawa, who has dominated the trainers' titles in recent several years, was named best trainer (training technique), based on winning percentage, number of starts, win rates and earnings per stall.
Yutaka Take renewed his JRA record by winning an eighth Grand Prize Jockey award after another spectacular season that was made all the more memorable by taking part in Deep Impact's historic year as the colt's only jockey. Take also established a single-season record for grade I titles with 11, and reached 200 wins for the third consecutive year.
The Equine Culture Award, which recognizes noteworthy achievements and contributions to Japanese equine culture, was presented to NHK Broadcasting for its documentary "Galloping to Glory," which generated increased interest in Deep Impact's successfyl season.
Copyright © 2006 The Blood-Horse, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
From: InJapan5 Sent: 20/02/2006 1:08 PM
Ima,
DI is running once in a 3000m G2 before running in the 3200m G1 Emperor's Cup (the one Makybe Diva ran in last year). Then they will work out which European race they will aim at.
From: specialweek Sent: 20/02/2006 2:12 PM
And there is also the rumour that owners have been offered $50 million for him.
Fighting Tiger
26-02-2006, 09:02
Thanks for the info Imaufo - all being well I should be able to see him on 30/4.
March 21, 2006]
Deep Impact wins on seasonal debut
(The Racing Post Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)
JAPANESE superstar Deep Impact made a winning start to his four-year-old campaign with an easy win in the Group 2 one-mile-seven-furlong Hanshin Daishoten on Sunday, writes Nicholas Godfrey.
Last year's Japan Triple Crown winner, Deep Impact was named Japan's Horse of the Year in 2005, when his winning run came to an end on Christmas Day when he was beaten by Heart's Cry in the Arima Kinen Grand Prix.
Sent off a 1-10 chance on Sunday, Deep Impact was settled in his customary position towards the rear by Yutaka Take.
Still around 20 lengths off a strong pace five furlongs out, Deep Impact answered Take's call immediately to circle the field, hitting the front before entering the home straight and pulling a few lengths clear of his rivals.
Connections are eyeing a tilt at the King George and the Arc.
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/21/1475520.htm
saw the race --- seemed to be just out for a quite stroll in the last 100m. not a bad horse.
Courtesy of www.japanracing.jp.
Deep Impact sizzles in the Tenno Sho!!
The Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Spring) was held over 3200m at Kyoto racecourse today, and 2005 JRA Horse of the Year, Deep Impact justified his 1/10 quote, with a record-breaking win. Japanese fans had expected Deep Impact to win, but it was the manner in which he toyed with his rivals that ensured the race will be remembered for a long long time.
After missing the start to be a conspicuous last after going 50m, champion jockey Yutaka Take made certain that Deep Impact settled well in the early stages of the race. The field was led by outsider Blue Tornade, with Tokai Trick sitting outside him early. 2nd favorite Lincoln settled mid-field, and Deep Impact gradually began made ground around the field as they entered the back straight of the Kyoto racecourse for the second time. With approximately 1000m to go, Take gave Deep Impact a little bit more rein, and it was soon clear that Take was going to let the champion horse make his move very early today.
As the field began their descent down the hill from the 800m, Take and Deep Impact strode up five-wide around the field, and at the 600m, Deep Impact was clearly in front. As he swung into the straight, Lincoln tried to give chase to the favorite, but Take shook up Deep Impact, and in a flash the race was all over. Lincoln battled on well for second, and Australian Jockey Glenn Boss brought Stratagem down the outside to finish third in the race. As has been so often the case in Japanese racing in recent years, all placegetters were sired by champion sire Sunday Silence (only represented by 4 horses in the races - the unplaced runner being Rosenkreuz).
The crowd of over 90,000 who had been on hand to watch the champion race cheered and applauded the win of Deep Impact, but soon after the finish another huge roar went up. The race time and sectionals had been posted, and Deep Impact had smashed the track record by 1 full second - today's time of 3:13.4 beating the previous mark of 3:14.4 registered by Mayano Top Gun when winning this race in 1997. Not only that, but his closing sectionals were 44.8 seconds for the final 800m, and an amazing 33.5 seconds for the last 600m - unheard of for a horse running the last 600m in a 3200m race, which was run at an overall record breaking pace!
Deep Impact is owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd., and trained by Mr. Yasuo Ikee. Today was his 4th Grade 1 win, and the 132 million yen first prize today takes his winnings over 900 million yen.
Deep Impact is expected to now travel to Europe, where he will likely lineup for a rematch with the only horse to ever beat him - Heart's Cry. Connections were keen for Deep Impact to win today before deciding on concrete plans, but they will now begin the planning.
Seabiscuit
30-04-2006, 19:18
I saw Deep Impact win today. It was most impressive and looks a real racehorse (unlike some other overhyped horses from that part of the globe in recent years)
http://streamctrl.bb.yahoo.co.jp/cgi-bin/yahoo/bbnews.asx?vid=prc-001-20060430-001_wm300k
Here is the video...awesome !!! Perhaps when Fighting Tiger gets back to base he can let us know what it was like to be there?
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2006/sp20060501a1a.jpg
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20060501a1.html
Deep Impact romps to record
By BARBARA BAYER
Special to The Japan Times
KYOTO -- Last out of the gate and first over the finish line, Deep Impact dragged the crowd emotionally through the dirt, knocking them about as first they gasped, then sighed, cheered and finally even cried. "I'm 90 percent relieved, and 10 percent overjoyed," an exhausted-looking owner, Makoto Kaneko, said post-Emperor's Cup.
Triple crown winner Deep Impact gallops to win the Emperor's Cup in a record time of 3 minutes, 13.4 seconds on Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse.
Still, riding roughshod over the fans is the kind of behavior you expect from a champion who's ready to take on the world. Sunday at Kyoto Racecourse, Deep Impact looked ready. "He circled with arrogance. He's international group I material," was how Australian rider Glen Boss put it.
Shaving a full second off the Emperor's Cup race record for a time of 3 minutes, 13.4 seconds, the Triple Crown winner bested the field by three and a half lengths, with Lincoln crossing the line in second and Boss' Stratagem finishing third.
Deep Impact was so slow out of the gate that Kaneko thought Yutaka Take had intentionally held him back. The crowd of nearly 94,000 gasped, but trainer Yasuo Ikee merely shrugged. "Oh, he's done it again," he said. Not to worry, with 3,200 meters ahead of them, Deep would make it up.
The other 16 runners, who in retrospect looked more like an escort, peeled off from the gate at a fair clip. Deep held back second from the back and Take said, "Why worry?" and settled in for a run that was relaxed "beyond expectations."
All looked well as Impact moved down the backstretch and slowly up the field, but a sudden drop in pace just at the bottom of the slope at the Kyoto final turn saw the favorite shoot forward and hearts leaped to mouths again. "He was running so relaxed I thought I'd let him keep going," said Take.
The pair stepped into the lead halfway through the bend. "It was the first time we'd done that," Take said and "both he and myself felt a little strange." Deep Impact hesitated for a moment, but Take whispered encouragement and the colt responded like he is known to.
"He flew," streaking over the last 600 meters, in a blistering 33.5 seconds. The sight was chilling, somehow surreal. "It is truly frightening. He is just too good," agreed assistant trainer Toshiyuki Ikee, who admitted he'd been crying as Deep Impact crossed the finish line. "I think he is simply the epitome of a Thoroughbred, the very essence of it."
"I am so happy to have won today, to have him back in his best form," Take said, remembering Deep Impact's first and only defeat, a half-length loss in last year's Arima Memorial. Then, for whatever reason, he was unable to respond with his usual form. "I don't want that to happen again. I don't want him to have to go through that again," said Take. "He made a lot of dreams come true today," said Take, "and I admit I have dreams I'd like to realize on him."
It was a dream race for all connected with Deep Impact on Sunday and a win that has, in turn, turned sights solidly from the home turf, beyond Japan. Ikee, Take and owner Kaneko were unanimous in their desire to race abroad, with mention made of the King George at Ascot or the Arc at Longchamp. But, as Take put it humbly, "We won't be taking him. He'll be taking us."
The Japan Times: Monday, May 1, 2006
(C) All rights reserved
Deep Impact goes around on Sunday in Kyoto...Ill be there to watch him go around. Catchya later!
Deep Impact is going for the Arc... Already 7/1 for the english bookmakers behind Hurricane Run and Shirocco...
He's just a fantastic horse and it could be an exciting race against such horses...
leviathan
04-07-2006, 15:23
Imaufo,
Sorry took a while to reply but I did see Deep Impact on 30/4/06.
Massive effort - amazing feeling watching the big horse race away so easily. Quite an experience a Japanese race meeting - 80,000 Japanese all cheering for the same horse makes for a deafening sound!!
I hope you experienced the same emotion last weekend watching him blitz them again - the only difference is it was raining when you were there - it was a nice sunny day on April 30th - a much more pleasant experience as it would be difficult to find shelter from the rain at Kyoto.
Deep Impact cruises to victory
The Daily Yomiuri
Deep Impact tuned up for his first trip abroad with an easy victory in the Takarazuka Kinen at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday.
The odds-on favorite again came from far off the pace, with a powerful rush down the rain-soaked stretch to win the 2,200-meter test in 2 minutes 13 seconds.
The 4-year-old son of Sunday Silence made his move 700 meters from the finish, and after a little encouraging from jockey Yutaka Take, pulled away to his eighth victory in nine outings.
Deep Impact's only loss came when he finished second to Hearts Cry in last year's season-ending Arima Kinen.
Narita Century finished second, four lengths behind the winner, with Balance of Game a further length back in third place.
It was the fifth Grade-1 victory for last year's triple crown champion, who is scheduled to head to Europe and the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps.
"It is good to get the win, now we just have to make sure he is in the best shape for the Arc," said Take, who collected his fourth Takarazuka Kinen victory.
While Take said he had never seen Deep Impact so relaxed before a race, the jockey admitted he was nervous at the conditions.
"The footing was very bad, and I was a little concerned. But Deep didn't appear to have any trouble handling the off-track.
"Thankfully he came out of it unscathed," the star jockey said.
(Jun. 26, 2006)
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20060626TDY20003.htm
The Road to Longchamp
– DEEP IMPACT and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe –
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/060714/01.jpg
Deep Impact
Why has Longchamp being chosen as the international stage for Deep Impact?
The decision to enter Deep Impact in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has been formally announced. As a result, we have decided to make a series of reports as a form of ‘count down’ to mark the stages of Deep Impact’s preparations, providing you with information about his form and also news about the race. In this first report, we talk to Deep Impact’s trainer Mr Yasuo Ikee (interview conducted on 8th June), our conversation focusing on how the decision to enter the horse in this race came about.
The time when connections of Deep Impact’s became aware that the doorway onto an international stage had opened for them was in the autumn of 2005, when the horse succeeded in winning the Triple Crown. It was then, Ikee says, that he knew that they had reached a crossroads.
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/060714/02.jpg
Trainer Yasuo Ikee
Ikee: The turning point came about after the Arima Kinen in December last year, and we were trying to decide whether our target for the spring of 2006 should be the Dubai World Cup or the Tenno Sho. However, following talks with the owner, we decided to race Deep Impact in the Tenno Sho and the Hanshin Daishoten as a prep race for it. I believe that this decision has been correct so far.
Following Deep Impact’s overwhelming victory at the Tenno Sho on 30th April this year, connections were agonizing over which overseas race to enter the horse into – the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. In early May, Ikee announced his overseas plan. Deep Impact would run in the Takarazuka Kinen on 25th June, and all being well following that event, he would enter the Arc.
Ikee: I had discussions with the owner, and eventually we reached the same conclusion that Deep Impact would run in the Arc, rather than Ascot. Our reasoning was that the even surface of the course at Longchamp and the timing of the event best suited the horse. Yutaka Take (Deep Impact’s jockey) also suggested Longchamp, and it certainly wasn’t the case that Ascot was unsuitable, but that Deep Impact would find the Longchamp course more comfortable.
Speaking of Longchamp, Ikee travelled to Deauville in France in the summer of 1992, to see the Japan-France International Jockeys’ Challenge.
Ikee: As soon as I arrived in France, I went on a tour of Chantilly and Longchamp. As for British horseracing, in 1995, I went to England and saw Lammtarra win the Epsom Derby. He was a small horse and made a really big impression on me when I saw him in the parade ring. I also went to Ascot and had a look around. In both France and England, I took a walk around the racecourses.
While Ikee admits that this was all a long time ago, he has a first hand knowledge and experience that allows him to make the comparison.
Interviewer: In your view, what kind of race is the Arc?
Ikee: The Arc represents a stage for world horseracing. Many winners of this race have gone on to have successful stud careers, some of them coming to Japan. I know very well that those horses will rise up to make history. That’s what horseracing is all about isn’t it? After such a victory there is nothing left to achieve, so many connections of these horses say, ‘ok, that’s enough’. For just this reason, the race has prestige. Horsemen all over the world set their sights on this race, and for me too being from overseas, it is the race that I want to win most. Even now when I think about actually taking part, it gives me a huge thrill.
Interviewer: Are you aware that Deep Impact will be representative of the nation?
Ikee: Of course I’m aware of this, only the other day the President of the Japan Racing Association kindly came to visit the stables to give encouragement and I’ve received the greatest cooperation from JRA’s Paris office. I will do my best for Japan.
At our stables, we have experience of sending our horses to Dubai and Hong Kong, and in 2001 we had great results, with Stay Gold winning the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Hong Kong Vase.
I firmly believe that going on these overseas expeditions is a far more positive experience than staying at home. With regards to the horse, wherever we go our number one priority is always to ensure that the horse is totally unfazed and unperturbed. As for the people, I think it is very important that the stable-staff maintain their normal routine and it is my job to create a calm environment.
There are three or four stables in France that are likely candidates to host us. At this stage, the only definite thing is that the selected stable will be in Chantilly.
On the 3rd July, several people, including Deep Impact’s owner, Yutaka and I will go to France to look over the stables, meet the people concerned and then make our selection based on what will be most suitable for the horse.
With regard to Deep Impact’s journey to Europe, Ikee made the following comments.
Ikee: If Deep Impact stays in France for over two months, the quarantine period when we return to Japan may take three months. If that happens, the horse will end up missing the autumn racing season in Japan. Therefore, in order to limit our stay to less than two months, we count back from the day of the Arc, which is the 1st October, so I reckon that Deep Impact will leave Japan around the 10th of August.
Interviewer: Will the Prix Foy (10th September) act as a prep race for Deep Impact?
Ikee: At present, I am totally focused on the main target. The Prix Foy is only about a couple of weeks before the Arc, if the gap was a month and a half to two months it would be a different scenario altogether. However, I don’t feel that there is any need to make him run at every opportunity that comes along. Right now, he will only run one race and that is the Arc.
Instead of a prep race, it seems that Ikee is thinking of course schooling.
Ikee: Prior to the main event, I want to make Deep Impact to get to know the racecourse ground. If we were allowed to run the horse around the Longchamp course, this of course would be a definite plus.
The head groom, Mr Akihiko Ichikawa and my assistant trainer, Mr Toshiyuki Ikee will travel with Deep Impact to France and they will stay there all the while that Deep Impact is there. Last year, we did the same thing after winning the Japanese Derby. We set ourselves some ambitious targets, and Akihiko and Toshiyuki went with Deep Impact to Sapporo, stayed there and made meticulous preparations. I believe that was a very good experience.
Even though they spend this summer planning to win on an international stage, while last year they were setting their sights on Deep Impact becoming the ‘undefeated Triple Crown winner’, Ikee feelings this time around are very different.
Ikee: The Triple Crown had a unique significance because it was a series of events. Looking back, I was aiming for one big title at a time last year and after each victory the expectations and pressure got bigger, whereas this year it is completely different - I feel less of a burden. I am very excited of course, as I’m striving to ensure that Deep Impact’s strengths are tested on an international stage.
Interviewer: At this juncture, we don’t know who Deep Impact’s challengers are, how do you feel about your chances, how confident are you, how excited?
Ikee: This race is the pinnacle of international horseracing, and the runners fielded will be world-class, and I hope Deep Impact will beat as many of them as possible.
There’s nothing I can do about the weight of 59.5kg. It shouldn’t be a problem, as in the past two races Deep Impact carried 58kg and performed well.
When we return to Japan after the Arc, there will be enough time to prepare, so I’d like to run Deep Impact in the Arima Kinen in December. As for the Japan Cup in November, I’d like to rest Deep Impact a while first, then when training restarts I’ll think about it. We will still have time to prepare and race him if we wish.
Deep Impact is currently very fit and fresh after the Tenno Sho. Soon, Ikee will be heading for France and a busy summer will begin. He says, “I’ll be in France for the first 10 days after Deep Impact’s arrival. It will be just like being in Ritto (well-known training centre in Japan), I will get a feel for the place and return home.” As this is likely to be a once in a lifetime chance, I’m using all my energy and hurling myself into the Arc experience.
(Translated on 6th July, 2006 from an article by Akihiro Shimada
in the July 2006 edition of JRA’s magazine YUSHUN.)
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/060714.html
Leviathan..I had a great time in Kyoto and managed to find a sheltered spot amongst the tv cameras at the top of the grandstand. I had a fantastic view of Deep Impact in his last Japanese run before the arc. It was quite an exciting day.
leviathan
15-08-2006, 05:44
Imaufo,
We tried getting up into the stand on Tenno Sho day but had no luck so ended up right down near the fence at about the 200m.
I managed to get some nice pictures of him both in the parade ring & also when he raced past. I loved it over there - i went to the Tokyo course on the Sat beforehand & was impressed by the size of the course & the facilities were also top class. Language difficulties the only barrier - but even that was quite funny at times.
Would certainly like to go back for say a Japan Cup trip one year or even the big Christmas Day race meeting.
I am glad you enjoyed your trip over there as well - it certainly gives you some perspective into how improvements can be made at home...
Here is one of my piks..>Deep Impact hitting the front
leviathan
16-08-2006, 09:10
Nice pics - you had the advantage of height in your picture taking - I was right down the front & had more of an action viewpoint hehe
Will try & load them up as well next time I am at that computer - I will load up my fav from the mounting yard as well as when he stormed past
Did you manage to find your photos?
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/sports/news/images/20060809p2a00m0na012000p_size6.jpg
Japanese racehorse Deep Impact sent to compete in France
Deep Impact is transferred from a vehicle to a container ahead of the flight to France on Wednesday. (Pool photo)Japanese racehorse Deep Impact, who has taken five G1 race crowns in Japan, was put on a flight at Narita Airport on Wednesday, heading for France to take part in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, one of the world's top horse races.
Deep impact arrived at the airport at 5:50 a.m. Wednesday after undergoing quarantine and other procedures at the Miura Training Center in Ibaraki Prefecture.
The horse was led into a cargo container, and put on an Air France cargo flight that left Narita at shortly after 10:30 a.m.
The race will take place in Paris on Oct. 1. A win would make Deep Impact the first Japanese racehorse to take the title. Deep impact is scheduled to be brought back to Japan on Oct. 4. (Mainichi)
Arc hope makes big Impact
20060922 15:31
Deep Impact, the colt whose Japanese connections think is the greatest thing ever to draw breath, continued his preparation for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday week at Longchamp with a racecourse gallop at Chantilly.
The Japanese star continued his build-up towards the middle-distance championship of Europe with an impressive workout over six furlongs at Chantilly yesterday.
Deep Impact has only been beaten once in 11 starts and trainer Yasuo Ikee is now planning a final gallop next week ahead of the big race.
Deep Impact impressed connections in his latest piece of serious work ahead of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Yesterday, the Sunday Silence colt covered six furlongs in a gallop, with the final furlong being clocked in an impressive 11 seconds.
The four-year-old has been stabled in Chantilly in preparation for the big race.
Trainer Yasuo Ikee was pleased the way the Japanese superstar worked in a solo spin on the gallops.
"I was very satisfied with his work," he said. "His time was not too fast but not too slow either. It was better than I expected.
"Everything is currently going according to plan and everything seems to be perfect.
Work-watchers were clearly taken by the workout and the four-year-old is down to 3-1 joint-second favourite with Ladbrokes behind Hurricane Run.
Ladbrokes' latest Arc betting: 5-2 Hurricane Run, 3 Deep Impact, Shirocco, 8 Rail Link, 12 Mandesha, Pride, Sixties Icon, 14 Sir Percy, 20 Freedonia.
http://www.clubcall.com/index.jsp?storyID=291589
The Times September 26, 2006
Fresh legs should make for an Arc to remember
http://z.about.com/d/horseracing/1/0/1/I/1/arc3.jpg
JULIAN MUSCAT ON THE LEVEL
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,379-2374664,00.html
AND so we are into the week that concludes with the race of the season in Europe: the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday. All Arcs are special but this is one that is demonstrably more special than most.
Encouraging portents abound. Even more telling than the assembled high-class cast is the restraint with which fancied horses have been campaigned this term. Freshness is key. For the connections of Shirocco and Deep Impact, it’s a case of Paris or bust. Numerous valuable prizes have been spurned in their single-minded pursuit of the Arc.
Of the other principals, Hurricane Run, Pride and Rail Link are hardly suffering from exhaustion. None has raced in earnest since July. There is a caveat here in that Shirocco, Hurricane Run, Pride and Rail Link all contested the Arc trials, but that gentle act of priming served only as fine tuning. The collective strain on the reins will be immense when runners leave the stalls on Sunday.
To have a fresh horse for the Arc is paramount. It was Vincent O’Brien who lent credence to the French way of resting their horses throughout the summer. O’Brien largely attributed Nijinsky’s Arc defeat in 1970 to an active summer campaign, and it remains a constant that St Leger winners find the Longchamp test beyond them. This does not bode well for Sixties Icon.
Pride, the French mare, can be entertained on two counts. An improved performer since finishing seventh behind Hurricane Run last year, she has been trained for the race this time. Against that, the overall standard is higher. In no small part this is down to Deep Impact, who has achieved some visually striking victories in his native Japan. There is no refuting the class of a colt who has been swamping his opponents with a sweeping outside run from the rear.
http://horseracing.about.com/library/graphics/arc00/diff1.jpg
The statue of Arc winner Suave Dancer at Longchamp
Similar tactics on Sunday will compromise Deep Impact unless he can outclass the field — and that requires a vivid imagination. Plotting a wide course around the final bend is effectively giving away ground. Nevertheless, should his jockey, Yutaka Take, make his challenge up the inner, he may find himself competing for racing room with Kieren Fallon. That is not an attractive option, either.
Fallon, of course, will be aboard Hurricane Run, last year’s winner, who annexed the King George two months ago. Those inclined to believe his hard-fought Ascot victory alluded to a dissipating talent should remember that the ground was pretty quick — as it was when he struggled home in the Irish Derby last year.
Although Hurricane Run acts on fast ground, this big, strapping colt seems more comfortable on the easy surface he will encounter on Sunday. Of greater relevance to his prospects, perhaps, was the revelation that connections considered a late switch away from the Arc trials to the infinitely more competitive Irish Champion Stakes. Quite why is hard to fathom, given the preferred Arc approach of his trainer, André Fabre.
Could it be that Fabre has been fortified by the Arc preparation of Shirocco, another in his stable? In Shirocco’s case, Fabre persuaded the horse’s German owner, Georg Von Ullmann, to bypass that country’s biggest race in his quest for the Arc. Yet Fabre contemplated the Irish option for Hurricane Run, whom he had rested from late June before winning the Arc 12 months ago. It was a curious diversion from a man who strays rarely — if at all — from the tried and trusted.
Consider, too, that Fabre brought Shirocco into last year’s Arc on the back of a rushed preparation. It was no mean feat to finish a little more than four lengths behind Hurricane Run in fourth place. Since then, Shirocco has won the Breeders’ Cup Turf, the Jockey Club Stakes and the Coronation Cup, in which he dismissed Ouija Board with his formidable strength. Oh, and he fended off Hurricane Run in the aforementioned Arc trials this month.
Shirocco, now five, has matured into a destructive galloper. Because he enjoys racing prominently, he should not encounter trouble in running. He has also improved significantly since Fabre brought him to concert pitch for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. All of which suggests that no three-year-old is likely to take his measure on Sunday.
Interestingly, in their respective ascents of the racing ladder, Hurricane Run and Shirocco have never been beaten by the same horse twice. The score between them stands at one apiece. Something has to give on Sunday.
HOW THEY BET
Coral: 11-4 Deep Impact, Hurricane Run, 3-1 Shirocco, 8-1 Rail Link, 10-1 Pride, Sixties Icon, 14-1 Mandesha, 20-1 Ouija Board, 25-1 bar.
William Hill: 5-2 Deep Impact, Hurricane Run, 11-4 Shirocco, 8-1 Rail Link, 12-1 Sixties Icon, 14-1 Pride, 16-1 Mandesha, 20-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Hurricane Run, Shirocco, 3-1 Deep Impact, 7-1 Rail Link, 10-1 Pride, 12-1 Mandesha, 20-1 Freedonia, 25-1 bar.
http://library.gmu.edu/resources/french/eiffel%20night%20blue.jpg
Deep Impact set to rule the world
A special horse from the Far East can beat Europe's best in the Arc de Triomphe
Eddie Freemantle
Sunday October 1, 2006
The Observer
The level of expectation that the Japanese colt Deep Impact has engendered in the build-up to this afternoon's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is rarely matched in the racing world. It is even rarer for the parabola of achievement to overcome the curve of hyperbole on the graph of greatness.
Take the case of Arazi. Nearly 15 years ago, Arazi gripped the racing world after an extraordinary performance from the two-year-old in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs. Arazi, coming from 15 lengths off the pace, passed horse after horse in what seemed like the blink of an eye to win by five lengths. But Arazi's genius was flawed and, though he was a fine three-year-old, he never hit the heights of which that day in Kentucky had suggested he was capable.
However, Deep Impact's reputation is not built on a single stellar performance. He has blitzed his way to 10 wins from 11 outings and his trainer Yasuo Ikee admits that his only defeat, at the hands of Heart's Cry last December, was probably his fault. That setback came at the end of a long season and Deep Impact was in need of 'an oil change' claims Ikee.
Not that he would be without a chance on that form, when he was asked to make up 12 lengths in the short home straight and failed by half-a-length. Heart's Cry travelled to England to contest the King George this summer and was a gallant, and close third, to one of today's opponents, last year's Arc hero Hurricane Run.
Thanks to the modern wonder of the internet, I have been able to watch the whole of Deep Impact's remarkable career. Anyone who remembers that extraordinary greyhound of the mid-1980's, Scurlogue Champ, will have an idea of Deep Impact's style of running. He usually falls out of the stalls and is settled at the rear by his regular jockey, Yutaka Take. But when Take presses the button, Deep Impact takes off, overtakes all his rivals and wins easily.
Watching his races is like watching Arazi's victory surge, but it happens time after time and the horses he is beating are no slouches. Lines of form from his races this season suggest he would beat Heart's Cry by around eight lengths if they met again and some of the times he has clocked are remarkable as he has won from 10 furlongs to two miles.
Putting it simply, 12 seconds a furlong is a rough benchmark for a decent horse at the end of a race, but when winning the Tenno Sho, a two-mile race, at Kyoto in April, Deep Impact ran the final three furlongs in 33.5 seconds and the final half-mile in 44.8. If he is in that sort of form then the European horses are not going to withstand his late surge today.
Deep Impact is rated better than 1999 runner-up El Condor Pasa, a compatriot, by most judges in the Far East and his European preparation seems to have gone smoothly at Chantilly. In a recent work-out over the 12-furlong distance of today's race, he completed the final two furlongs in a blistering 21 seconds.
It is difficult to imagine the British public taking a racehorse to their hearts in the way the Japanese have done with Deep Impact. For example, 137,000 turned up to watch him complete the Triple Crown in the Kikuka Sho at Kyoto last October and more than 90,000 were there to see his waltz in the Tenno Sho at the same track in April. Just about all the Kikuka Sho crowd must have backed him on the Tote with the dividend declared at 100 yen to a 100 yen stake. Punters may have only been given their money back but they will not have minded - Deep Impact gave them something that money cannot buy.
A Triple Crown winner is a rarity in any language. Bahram in 1935 and Nijinsky in 1970 were the latest to manage it in this country, while the last US Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978. It is not quite so uncommon in Japan, but only five others have managed the feat.
Deep Impact was bred to be a champion. His sire is Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sunday Silence and his dam, Wind In Her Hair, was second in the Oaks and went on to win in the highest class.
Although he faces only seven opponents and even though, apart from that one defeat, everything has come easily to Deep Impact, that does not mean it will be easy today, as Take, who made a pig's ear of riding White Muzzle in the Arc 12 years ago, says: 'It is the most difficult race in the world to win.' The other seven line up with 19 wins between them from 33 outings this year
Last year's winner Hurricane Run won the King George only after looking in trouble early in the home straight. He won because of his stamina last year, yet has not looked an entirely happy animal in recent runs. In Kieren Fallon he has the ideal partner, able to cajole the last ounce of ability out of him, but his acceleration is not immediate whereas all the evidence suggests that Deep Impact's is.
Shirocco, only fourth last year, has looked in better form in the run-up this time and has shown he possesses the tactical speed to flourish in what could be a steadily-run race. He beat Hurricane Run and Pride in the Prix Foy last time but not too much should be read into that. Pride, who was well beaten a year ago, beat Hurricane Run at Saint-Cloud in June and looks capable of much better than her Foy run, but you can expect her two old rivals to be at their peak as well.
Fabre's other runner, Rail Link, has had the typical light preparation as a three-year-old and may improve to be the main danger. Lines of form involving Youmzain and Red Rocks say that Sixties Icon will not be far behind Rail Link, if he is behind him at all. He has shown a blend of speed and stamina when winning the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and the St Leger at York.
But watching all those films of Deep Impact makes me think he is a special horse. And special horses do not come along too often.
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/horseracing/story/0,,1885081,00.html
Support for Deep Impact
Deep Impact has been the subject of heavy support for the Arc de Triomphe following an impressive racecourse workout.
The Japanese superstar finalised his preparations for Sunday's big race with a gallop at Chantilly racecourse, where he covered six furlongs with two work companions.
http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news/images/lead20061001c.jpg
not faqr back in 3rd behind rail link & pride after racing handy.
A bit flat in the stretch...thought he had it made when they went so slow.
What made it so extraordinary was the volume of Japanese money wagered at the course, which meant that Deep Impact was still trading at 1-10 on the pari-mutuel just minutes before the off.
Much better ods on Betfair, trading around 3.30-3.50 mostly before the jump.
DI also started very short on the NSW TAB.
The Times October 02, 2006
Rail Link gives Fabre platform to secure seventh Arc
From Alan Lee, Racing Correspondent at Longchamp
http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/sports/general/news/images/20061002p2a00m0sp003000p_size6.jpg
replay video
http://www.prixarcdetriomphe.com/pxarc.htm
( press access web TV left hand side)
Photos
http://62.210.169.76/fg/
HISTORY will record that a colt trained in France and owned by royalty won the 2006 running of Europe’s greatest Flat race. In years to come, only those who were here, on a Paris afternoon as barmy as it was balmy, may recall that this Arc day belonged to a quite different horse and his hero-worshipping nation.
With due deference to the incomparable André Fabre, who was winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for a staggering seventh time, the victory of Rail Link was greeted by the biggest Longchamp crowd in recent memory like flat champagne.
For several seconds inside the final furlong, it had seemed likely that this verdant corner of Paris was to be consumed by unimagined scenes. Deep Impact led, going strongly, and the 6,000 Japanese followers who had made this an Arc day like no other prepared to acclaim him with the flags, placards and cameras that had taken over a customarily decorous occasion.
Rail Link arrived with the timing of a practised party-pooper and, in time, he may prove to be an Arc winner of the highest class. Eventually, Deep Impact even surrendered second place to a storming finish from the six-year-old mare, Pride.
Out on the stands, 6,000 faces fell, along with a significant percentage of the Japanese economy.
If the race itself was exciting, what preceded it was matchless. “It was the most amazing betting race I’ve ever seen,” according to Mike Dillon of Ladbrokes.
What made it so extraordinary was the volume of Japanese money wagered at the course, which meant that Deep Impact was still trading at 1-10 on the pari-mutuel just minutes before the off.
Since the French placed the big race at the end of this sumptuous card, Arc day can be a slow burning pleasure until the climax at the cocktail hour. Not so yesterday. In part, Sergeant Cecil saw to that in the first race, evoking from the 20,000 Britons in this packed arena a roar that would have done justice to the Cotswolds in March.
Even before that, though, the sights and sounds had been distractingly different. Prince Khalid Abdulla, Rail Link’s owner, was said to be “too tired” to attend the races after a trip to America, yet planeloads of Japanese came straight here after disembarking their flights from Tokyo.
They gathered outside the gates long before opening time and, if their happy snapping was a clichéd stereotype, it was new to this stately environment. Some wore horse’s heads, many sported merchandised shirts in the yellow, black and blue design that would later be worn by their idol, Yutaka Take. All wanted a bet.
As soon as the betting booths opened, queues 30 yards long developed, every face Japanese. They created an artificial market, yet somehow sustained it almost to race time, when industry money provided a late adjustment.
Still, Deep Impact went off at 2-5 on course, and, for much of the 12-furlong journey, the implacable faith of his followers seemed justified. Take’s tactics were far more positive than those he has used over longer distances, slipstreaming the rank outsider, Irish Wells, and the winner’s more fancied stablemate, Shirocco.
Sixties Icon, the solitary British-trained contender, started at the back of the field and pretty much stayed there, beating only the deeply disappointing Shirocco. “He ran flat,” Frankie Dettori, his jockey, explained. Paul Roy, his owner, may conclude that he has used up all his good fortune for one year.
Hurricane Run, in fourth, never looked likely to repeat last year’s triumph, certainly not after he was hampered a furlong out. Kieren Fallon, glumly contemplating returning to his Irish exile at Roscommon today, said: “We were beaten by the ground, not by anything else.”
Indeed, with Longchamp having missed the previous night’s storms and the times suggesting ground quicker than good, many connections felt frustrated. Perhaps even those of Pride, who so nearly made her 24th start her most glorious — she will be retired at the end of the year.
As a three-year-old prepared for this race in the Prix Niel, Rail Link, ridden by the up-and-coming Stephane Pasquier, fitted snugly into the profile of Fabre’s Arc winners and, on good ground, may prove the equal of most.
Take, meanwhile, was left to blame the steady early gallop for his colt’s “tension” and lack of vital acceleration. “In Japan,” he said, “races are run at a much faster pace.” It will be much to the benefit of this occasion, though, if all concerned regroup and return next year.
BIG-RACE DETAILS
4.35 PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE
LUCIEN BARRIERE
(Group I: £782,740: 1m 4f)
1, RAIL LINKS Pasquier
2, PrideC P Lemaire
3, Deep ImpactY Take
ALSO RAN: Hurricane Run (4th), Best Name (5th), Irish Wells (6th), Sixties Icon (7th), Shirocco. 8 ran. Nk, ½l, 2½l, 2l, hd. A Fabre. Pari-mutuel (inc one euro stake): 24.60. 2.20, 2.10, 1.40. Straight Forecast: 91.46. Exacta: 53.10.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,379-2384224,00.html
leviathan
02-10-2006, 10:37
Imaufo,
He looked a little "stirred up" in the yard last night...before the Tenno Sho he paraded for what seemed like forever & didn't seem bothered by anything at all. There were about 50,000 people all crowded around him that day & he was very very relaxed - yesterday he was prancing around the parade ring & he seemed a little flustered - not himself last night.
The real Deep Impact would have dropped out last & swamped them to win running away by 6lens :)
I hope he goes back to Japan & wins the Japan Cup later this year - will have to be there for that!
Thats very interesting. He is normally such a cool customer, perhaps being away amongst those strange surroundings got to him a little. Although by the sounds of things there were a heap of Japanese people there to see him go around...you would have thought DI would feel right at home!
From: triple-7- Sent: 2/10/2006 5:49 PM
Interesting story on the radio today regarding D I's run overnight. Apparently there were and extra 3 to 4,000 Japanese vistors who made the trip to the course just to watch and cheer their champ. Also, an extra 167 press passes issued just for additional Japanese media people. Such was the on course support at one stage he was 1/10, and eased to started at 1/2 on the French tote, with the major English bookies he jumped somewhere around 9/4. With the weight of on course support the winner drifted to start at $23 on the French tote but was around 8/1 in England.
Seabiscuit
02-10-2006, 17:10
The real Deep Impact???? The real Deep Impact just beats up on poor old Lincoln and Eye Popper time after time
He had every chance to win the Arc. Simply was not good enough
leviathan
03-10-2006, 06:19
Yes Biscuit - they all have their chance in every race really - but it was strange he led & raced a little fiercely - thats all I am saying - take that same field over to japan & throw in a pacemaker or 2 & Deep Impact will win by 5lens as usual...
Seabiscuit
03-10-2006, 08:16
Top horses adapt to different conditions and win the big races.
Pretty good horses don't
leviathan
03-10-2006, 08:46
Its all a learning experience biscuit - he cannot win ALL the time.
It is easy be a nark big boy.. :)
At least he gave it a go - I just hope he doesnt get sick or any illness from the travel - thats the most important thing - I dont wanna see another Silent Witness type virus affect him.
If that happens - the days of travelling the best horses will cease - it wont be worth the risk...
Seabiscuit
19-10-2006, 17:28
Might be some news about to break on Deep Impact's French trip
He could be the new Ben Johnson (although at least Ben Johnson was still able to win)
cheesebeast
19-10-2006, 17:59
Lance Armstrong?
Seabiscuit
19-10-2006, 20:22
P Korda from the tennis is most appropriate as he got done for steroids but I don't think they did much for him. Fancy doing drugs and still losing.
I think Deep Impact's trainer is in for trouble in Japan.........
http://www.racingpost.co.uk/news/master.sd?psection=racingpost.co.uk&page=News&category=News&story_id=858870
by Nick Robson
JAPANESE superstar Deep Impact failed a routine drugs test taken after the colt finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The four-year-old, who had only lost once before in his 11-race career prior to his first venture on to a European racetrack, tested positive for the bannedsubstance Ipratropium, which is generally used to treat respiratory problems.
The Japan Racing Association are currently awaiting a decision from France-Galop as to whether Deep Impact will be disqualified.
"We have been informed that a banned substance was detected in the sample of Deep Impact which rain in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe," JRA president Masayuki Takahashi said in a statement.
"First I would like to say to all racing fans who went to watch the horse from many different places to give their support in this event, how immensely saddened I am that this news will cast a shadow over the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which is revered as the pinnacle in world horse racing.
"While this incident has occurred in France, I would like to say on behalf of the JRA that I intend to be meticulous and take a strong lead in raising the awareness among all connections in Japan about banned substances and how this is an international issue in horse racing."
Deep Impact, a son of Sunday Silence, has amassed over £5 million in prize money and is due to retire to stud at the end of the season.
From: cady Sent: 20/10/2006 8:33 AM
"that's a pretty strong claim barasti, although I agree there are legitimate suspicions that something very fishy is going on here...it's suddenly being reported as an undeniable fact that Deep Impact was being treated for an unspecified "respiratory condition" in the lead-up to the Arc. what was the condition? i certainly didn't read or hear a single thing about it and to keep it from the public is inexcusable
His fans have every right to feel dudded, as do the dupes who bought into the breeding syndicate. the trainer ought to stand up and take responsibility instead of making lame "I can't believe it" claims. my own feeling is the credibility of Japanese racing is at stake if Deep Impact is allowed to contest the races earmarked for his swansong ..."
From: InJapan5 Sent: 17/11/2006 9:48 AM
The story, as told by connections, is that after a training gallop one day, DI started coughing. When the Japanese vet arrived he had a look at him and called the French vet. They decided to give him the drug, via inhalation, which the French vet then received a prescription for. He had 5 days of treatment and did not have contact with the drug after that. The connections remembered that DI had gone beserk and kicked things around twice in those five days - spraying the drug everywhere. Connections believe he may have eaten some of the feed which was contaminated by the drug.
The findings of the French inquiry were basically "we found out they used the drug on him, but we don't know the details, so we believe the connections"
Apart from the fact that all this doesn't really tell us anything, I can't get over the fact that with all that attention, nobody knew he was undergoing treatment, and they kept telling everyone he was better than ever - thriving in France etc etc... The JRA must have known, and thats why access was restricted to the stables? Its all a big mess.
Anyway, looks like he'll be running next Sunday.
Deep Impact, whose attempt to find stardom on the world stage ended in disappointment and disgrace in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe eight weeks ago, rediscovered the winning touch on more familiar ground yesterday.
To the delight of a massive crowd in Tokyo, Deep Impact produced a powerful finish to win the Japan Cup by two lengths from Dream Passport. Ouija Board again carried the flag for Britain with distinction with a close third.
An emotional Yasuo Ikee was not far off tears as he explained to a press conference, so full that at least as many with credentials were locked out as managed to get in, that he alone "in spite of following all procedures" was to blame for the medication error that had resulted in the horse's disqualification from third place in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Perhaps there was a sub-text apology too - an apology for getting the national hero beaten at all.
In a country in which there is no respect for those who make excuses, no excuses were made for Deep Impact's defeat. Some knives were out for Ikee after Longchamp though. In other times, you felt, he might well have got the knives out for himself.
Whether the lack of a prep race was to blame; or the respiratory infection that necessitated the use of the inhaler whose residue brought about the disqualification; or Yutaka Take's, in retrospect, extraordinary decision to abandon the hold-up tactics that had won the horse his reputation, is hard to tell. Perhaps, as some contend, there was nothing but the Ipratropium trace to apologise for. Perhaps the horse just isn't that good.
Yesterday's evidence suggests otherwise.
Yesterday he was certainly fit again. Yesterday he was held up again. Yesterday he wheeled round his field, covering plenty of extra ground as he did so, in the style to which he has grown accustomed; and the way the son of Sunday Silence, covering the last three of the 12 furlongs in a sprinter's time of 33.3sec, drew away from a frantic Frankie Dettori and the best mare in the world back in third suggests that the millions in Japan who idolise Deep Impact are not far off the mark.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42358000/jpg/_42358468_japan203.jpg
Monday, Nov. 27, 2006
Deep Impact blasts Japan Cup competition
By BARBARA BAYER
Staff writer
Tears of joy. Tears of relief. The kind of tears that spring to your eyes when you know you're witnessing historical moments. Those were the kind of tears that sprang to eyes at Tokyo Racecourse Sunday -- for Deep Impact.
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5316292,00.jpg
Making the jump slowly, in characteristic form, Yutaka Take allowed Deep Impact to lope along behind the rest of the 11-strong field, "taking it calmly, not fighting with him."
"I wasn't worried at all about the position, 11 horses, the last position, that was OK," Take said.
With 700 meters to go, Take asked to pick up the pace in a race that was unfolding at a crawl. Deep Impact "responded immediately."
He moved up slowly on the far outside, shifting into high gear as he straightened for home. Frankie Dettori, on European Horse of the Year Ouija Board, moved in, and "I moved in with him," Take said. "That was my sign."
From, there it was clear sailing. Deep Impact "flew."
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/061126-01.jpg
"I knew it was going to be OK," Take said. "It was like, 'yes!' "
The crowd, 120,000 strong, was a wall of sound as it chanted Deep's name.
"I could hear them chanting," trainer Yasuo Ikee said. "It was really something and I was so grateful for it."
Passing horse after horse and gaining strongly, papers, hats and programs were hurtled into the air. Victory looked certain.
Gaining the top with 200 meters to go, Deep Impact put 2 lengths between him and Dream Passport by the wire.
Ouija Board battled gamely on for third place, with Cosmo Bulk in fourth and 3-year-old filly Fusaichi Pandora making the board in fifth place. Race second choice Heart's Cry shocked with a 10th place finish.
Deep Impact circled back toward the stands and Take shook his fist in triumph to the roar. Revenge was theirs.
"Today was different," Take said later. "So much had happened. I wanted to see Deep Impact show what he could do.
"I wanted him to run a race in which he was shown at his best, and as a jockey that was my job, to give him that race."
Those were words that could be said of any race, by any jockey worth his weight.
But, Take said, "It was different this time.
"I thought of his trainer, of his staff and of all the efforts they had made to win the Arc. And I thought of the fans and I just had to win. It would be like a comeback, a rebirth."
And so it was.
But it was more a rebirth for Deep Impact's fans, his owner, trainer and staff. Deep Impact had never lost heart, never given up.
"He's full of life," trainer Ikee had said before the race. "He's full of enough life for himself and me as well."
Ikee had pulled a green handkerchief from his pocket, green for the No. 6 bracket, saying, "If he wins I'll put this in my pocket."
Postrace, amid tears from reporters and owner connections and fans, Ikee remained dry-eyed, stoic, without flowery words or lavish praise.
The bright green peeking from his breast pocket said it all, however -- Deep Impact had come through for them once again.
Deep Impact, pegged for retirement to a record 5.1 billion yen syndicate, has one race left in his career.
Their days together numbered, both trainer and jockey commented on the remaining weeks.
"Nothing will change between us, to the end," trainer Ikee said.
"It's something that's been decided," Take said.
"I'd like to ride him many more times."
The colt will have his swansong on 24 December at Nakayama in the Arima Kinen, the only race he has lost in Japan, before retiring to stud. He has been syndicated at a value of £23m.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2006/sp20061127a1a.jpg
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20061127a1.html
Jockey Yutaka Take, riding on Deep Impact, acknowledges the fans at Tokyo Race Course after winning the Japan Cup on Sunday. KYODO PHOTO
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/061126-02.jpg
high
http://www.jra.go.jp/JRADB/asx/2006/06/200605060809h.asx
low
http://www.jra.go.jp/JRADB/asx/2006/06/200605060809.asx
or
http://streamctrl.bb.yahoo.co.jp/cgi-bin/yahoo/bbnews.asx?vid=prc-001-20061224-001_wm300k
Thanks to Injapan for finding these links.
Play this at the same time ( music) for a good film clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruZtiY1ghWA&mode=related&search=
Seabiscuit
25-12-2006, 19:38
"Deep Impact, whose attempt to find stardom on the world stage ended in disappointment and disgrace in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe eight weeks ago"
This quote from the story above sums up Deep Impact's career beautifully. Can never be considered an all time great as he was caught just like Ben Johnson
by Blood-Horse Staff
Last Updated: 12/24/2006 1:12:51 PM
(from Japanese Racing Association report)
http://www.channel4.com/sport/microsites/R/racing/media/feed/news/1796746.jpg
Deep Impact, which has built a cultlike following since winning the Japanese Triple Crown in 2005, is being put out to stud after capturing the country's biggest cup, the Arima Kinen Memorial on Sunday.
Deep Impact demolished a field of Japan's best horses to record his seventh grade I win and end his career on a tremendous high over 2,500 meters at Nakayama racecourse.
The four-year-old colt, ridden by Yutaka Take, recorded his 12th victory in 13 races in Japan — seven at Grade One level — and increased his winnings to 1.5 billion yen, or $12.6 million. Deep Impact equaled the record for Grade One victories by a Japan-bred horse.
http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5342757,00.jpg
"Deep Impact is the strongest horse in the world," Take said at the post-race press conference. "Today he was calmer and in better condition than ever."
In front of a huge crowd, many of whom had lined up for days before the gates opened, champion Japanese jockey Yutaka Take took Deep Impact, as usual, to the back of the field immediately after the start.
Admire Main led the field by a big ways until the final 800 meters when he was gradually overhauled. One of the first to move was third favorite Daiwa Major who had been second throughout most of the race. Meisho Samson tried to go with him. Second choice Dream Passport was sitting behind Pop Rock during the race but both had trouble getting into the clear at the top of the straight.
Take made his move on Deep Impact on the home turn and the champion responded.
After beginning his run as the field began to round the final turn, Deep Impact hit the lead in a flash, and the race was over at the 200-meter mark. Daiwa Major battled away on the fence, and Pop Rock and Dream Passport challenged him. But Deep Impact was in a race of his own, and Take was able to ease him down after checking how far he was ahead over his shoulder on the big screen inside the racecourse.
The official margin was three lengths, with Pop Rock finishing well under Olivier Peslier to get second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Daiwa Major, who just held off the unlucky Dream Passport for third place by a nose.
Owned by Kaneko Makoto Holdings and trained by Yasuo Ikee, Deep Impact equaled the record for grade I wins for a Japanese trained horse.
This was the last race for the 4-year-old son of Sunday Silence (out of Alzao mare Wind In Her Hair), and after last year's shock when he was held off in the final straight by Heart's Cry, retires with a victory in Japan's biggest race on his resume. In total he raced 14 times with 12 wins and one second. The 180 million yen first prize Sunday takes his career winnings to approximately US$13 million.
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/061224-01.jpg
Sold to a syndicate of breeders for 5.1 billion yen in October, Deep Impact is credited by the Japan Racing Association with helping slow a slide in revenue. The association generated 4 trillion yen in sales in 1997 compared with 2.9 trillion yen last year, but the drop in 2005 was the smallest in the eight-year slide. (Bloomberg)
http://japanracing.jp/_news2006/images/061224-02.jpg
``I wish I could have Deep Impact run for another year,'' Kaneko said at a press conference yesterday. ``But he has an important duty to contribute to the next generation of race horses while he is still in healthy condition.''
Deep Impact will retire to Shadai Corp.'s Northern Farm in Hokkaido, where his sire Sunday Silence stood for twelve years until his death in 2002.
Sunday Silence's offspring captured a season record 9.4 billion yen in prize money last year, according to JRA figures. Five horses in yesterday's Arima Kinen, including Deep Impact, were Sunday Silence offspring.
Seeking Replacements
The sire's progeny have won leading international races including the Hong Kong Vase, the American Oaks and Australia's Melbourne Cup in recent years.
Finding the sire's replacement, whose last offspring are now racing as three-year olds, is critical for the continued strength of Japanese thoroughbreds, according to the latest issue of the JRA's Japan Racing Journal.
To breed their mares with Deep Impact, owners outside the syndicate will be charged a Japanese record 12 million yen. There's no guarantee that outlay will produce race winners, Yoshiharu Ueno, racehorse hospital manager at the JRA, said.
``There is some talk that the bloodlines in Japanese racing are becoming too confined to Sunday Silence,'' he said. ``What is clear is that Deep Impact's children are going to be very expensive, especially in the first three years until we start to see how they race.''
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Stunning farewell for all-conquering Impact
MURRAY BELL
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42385000/jpg/_42385495_impact203.jpg
I still believe he is the fastest racehorse in the world," said jockey Yutaka Take, who rode him in all of his races.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The best racehorse in the world retired to the breeding barn on Christmas Eve.
Deep Impact, the best thoroughbred on the planet in 2005 and 2006, was simply stunning in his farewell victory in the Arima Kinen (2,500 metres) at Nakayama.
With three-year-old Admire Main racing out 10 lengths in front, Deep Impact was probably 25 lengths off the lead in the middle stages. But the champion reeled them in quickly down the side of the track and a massacre was at very short odds when he turned for home only three lengths off the lead.
Ultimately, Yutaka Take gave Deep Impact the same sort of final furlong that Danny Nikolic gave Sacred Kingdom. Three lengths was the margin, but it may as well have been eight as the superstar hacked up from Melbourne Cup runner-up Pop Art as a raging 1.2 favourite.
Deep Impact was sold as a foal by the Yoshida family of Shadai Farm, but they know a winner when they see one and the great one has been bought back at the equivalent of HK$300 million as the replacement stallion for his famous sire, Sunday Silence.
He retires with a scoreline of 12 from 14, but anyone who follows this incredible athlete will have little doubt he should be unbeaten.
His lone defeat in Japan was at the hands of Heart's Cry, a Japanese tragedy played out in real life. But even that defeat looked so much more respectable when Heart's Cry led throughout to easily win the US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic - the world's equal-richest race on turf.
The other was his third to three-year-old Rail Link and champion mare Pride in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 1, when having his first start since late June and his only foray out of Japan. Take inexplicably rode him upside down, and the colt's big finish simply was not there.
That Deep Impact was ultimately disqualified for a positive swab to a therapeutic drug that is allowed in Japan, but not in France, should not tarnish what he had already achieved and has done since.
His two starts since the Arc have been effortless wins in Japan's two biggest races - the Japan Cup and the Arima Kinen. In the Japan Cup, he ruthlessly disposed of the best local three-year-old, Dream Passport, and Europe's two-time Horse of the Year and seven-time Group One winner Ouija Board.
http://www.sportal.com.au/photos/news/092734news.jpg
Deep Impact is the best turf horse I've seen in 35 years of following the sport.
For lovers of horse racing, here's the link to the Japan Racing Association's web page of Group One replays and judge the Arima Kinen winner for yourself:
http://japanracing.jp/information/d-list2006.html
http://racing.scmp.com/freeservice/news/news20061228c.asp
Seabiscuit
21-01-2007, 20:12
Deep Impact has been snubbed for World Champion racehorse title. A choker so does not deserve the title
Went to Invasor instead
Not surprising given their previous bias towards European horses.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/images/Deep-Impact-Sumiyoshi.jpg
Deep Impact, the 2005 Japanese Triple Crown winner who won five of his six starts last season, has been voted the Japanese Racing Association’s Horse of the Year for the second straight year.
A Sunday Silence horse out of German high weight Wind in Her Hair (Ire), by Alzao, Deep Impact received 287 out of 289 possible votes, exceeding the 285 of 291 votes he earned in 2005. Deep Impact joins Hoyo Boy (1980-’81), Symboli Rudolf (Jpn) (1984-’85), and Symboli Kris S (2002-’03) as repeat winners.
Prior to retiring to a stud career at Shadai Stallion Station, Deep Impact earned $12,825,285 over three years. Trained by Yasuo Ikee for Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd., the bay horse was ridden by Yutaka Take in all 14 of his career starts over three seasons and earned 12 wins and one runner-up finish.
The bay horse also received 288 of 289 votes for best older horse honors and was named champion three-year-old colt in 2005.
Deep Impact opened his previous campaign by winning the Hanshin Daishoten prior to earning consecutive victories at Kyoto in the Tenno Sho and Takarazuka Kinen. He also captured the Japan Cup on November 26 at Tokyo Racecourse prior to winning the Arima Kinen in his final career start on December 24 at Nakayama.
Five-year-old Deep Impact suffered his lone defeat last season in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1), a race on October 1 at Longchamp that he was disqualified from third and placed eighth in after testing positive for a banned breathing medication.
Take was named the grand prize jockey and also earned top rider honors in terms of races won, winning percentage, and money earned. The 37-year-old rider won 184 of his 828 starts in 2006.
Trainer Tsutomu Setoguchi, who retired at the conclusion of last season, conditioned Meisho Samson, the top three-year-old colt, and Maruka Rascal, the top steeplechase horse.
Other award winners included:
*Two-year-old colt—Dream Journey
*Two-year-old filly—Vodka
*Three-year-old filly and best horse by homebred sire—Kawakami Princess
*Older filly or mare—Dance in the Mood (Jpn)
*Sprinter or miler—Daiwa Major
*Dirt horse—Alondite
*Best trainer, training technique—Hideyuki Mori
*Best trainer, winning percentage—Yasutoshi Ikee
*Best trainer, money earned—Hiroyoshi Matsuda
*Steeplechase jockey—Makoto Nishitani
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/international-news/2007/January/23/Deep-Impact-repeats-as-JRAs-Horse-of-the-Year.aspx
cheesebeast
10-01-2008, 17:21
Japanese star race horse Deep Impact sires female foal
2 hours ago
TOKYO (AFP) — Japan's most popular race horse Deep Impact has sired a female foal, already attracting speculation on whether she will grow up to be a victory racer like her father, the owner said Thursday.
The retired colt was a favourite in 2006 to be the first Asian horse to win the Arc de Triomphe, Europe's most prestigious racing award. But Deep Impact came in third and was later embroiled in a doping scandal.
His first foal was healthy after being born Wednesday night on a farm on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, said Kazuyoshi Torii, the owner of the farm who assisted the mother, Long Delight, in labour.
"She has a white S-shaped falling star on her forehead," Torii told AFP by telephone.
Torii said he paid 12 million yen (109,300 dollars) to have Long Delight impregnated by Deep Impact, whom he does not own.
"I intend for the foal to become a race horse," he said.
The foal, who measures 110 centimetres (44 inches), stood up 45 minutes after being born. Torii has not yet weighed her or given her a name.
Yutaka Take, Deep Impact's former jockey, said it was a "memorable first child" for the five-year-old colt.
"This gives me some feeling of pride," Take told a Japanese sports daily.
"Although it will be a while until she grows up, I would like to ride her as soon as possible. I am the only jockey to ride Deep Impact. That means that I am the only one who can tell whether riding the two are similar," he said.
Deep Impact was embraced by the Japanese public during his two-year career, in which he won 12 out of 14 races and earned a total of 1.45 billion yen (12 million dollars).
Deep Impact had been the 1/2-on favourite to become the first foreign horse to win at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in 2006. But he finished third and then was disqualified for testing positive to a substance banned in France.
The substance, Ipratropium, is used to treat lung disorders and is permitted in Japan.
The racehorse is standing at stud for the rest of his life in Hokkaido.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hzFJJAFFXmJMnfi7hv4VcGzMLiSQ
Seabiscuit
11-01-2008, 13:36
They can call the horse Miss Longchamp Flop
She has a white S-shaped falling star on her forehead," Torii told AFP by telephone.
Why not Superstar?
Seabiscuit
20-01-2008, 17:17
Maybe the S stands for super slow mo
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