2022 News

Summary of sires results for 2021

By Masayuki Ito, The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA)

Deep Impact the general ranking champion for the 10th consecutive year

General sires ranking

In the 2021 general ranking in Japan, Deep Impact (by Sunday Silence (USA)), who produced 12 generations over his career, held the top spot in February and remained unchallenged throughout the rest of the year, leaving the competition far behind. He became the champion sire in this category for the 10th consecutive year. Among his offspring, Shahryar triumphed in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1), becoming the fourth colt of Deep Impact to win the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in as many years, and the seventh Derby winner for the sire overall. Five-year-old mare Gran Alegria notched consecutive wins in two G1 mile races—the Victoria Mile (G1) and the Mile Championship (G1)—and received the JRA Award for Best Sprinter or Miler. Four-year-old colt Contrail won the Japan Cup (G1), and collected the JRA Award for Best Older Colt or Horse. Loves Only You received the JRA Award for Best Older Filly or Mare in recognition of her victories not only in the Kyoto Kinen (G2) in Japan, but also in the Hong Kong Cup (G1), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) (Hong Kong), and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) (USA) overseas. Finally, three-year-old filly Akaitorino Musume triumphed in the Shuka Sho (G1). These results reflected the high quality across all generations produced by the sire.

In second place for a second consecutive year was Lord Kanaloa (by King Kamehameha), whose six-year-old horse Danon Smash triumphed in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1). Other notable performers in this category were the third-crop sires Kizuna (by Deep Impact) in fourth place, and Epiphaneia in eight place, who entered the top 10 for the first time. Kizuna’s mare Akai Ito dominated the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1), and Epiphaneia’s colt Efforia was voted JRA Horse of the Year in light of his victories in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1), Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1), and Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) (G1).

General two-year-old sires ranking

In the ranking for the two-year-old category, Deep Impact became the 11th champion, retaining the title for the 6th consecutive year. His colts Killer Ability and Justin Palace secured the 1st and 2nd place in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) in a graceful display of unrelenting strength. However, Deep Impact sired less than 10 foals in 2020, so it will be interesting to see which sire will manage to break his stronghold on the top spot in this category in 2022.

In second place was Epiphaneia, who moved up from fifth place last year and was gunning for the top spot. His filly Circle of Life won the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), and received the JRA Award for Best Two-Year-Old Filly. In third place was 2015 double crown winner Duramente (by King Kamehameha) who sadly passed on in 2021. His colts and fillies delivered strong performance, producing a higher number of top 5 finishers and finishes (2nd and 3rd-place finishes) than the colts and fillies of the top 2 sires in this category. For example, his filly Belle Cresta finished as runner-up in the Artemis Stakes (G3).

General first crop sires ranking

In the 2021 general first crop sires ranking, two sires remained neck and neck from the start of the races for two-year-olds through the end of the year. The top spot was held by Breeders’ Cup Sprint (USA) (G1) winner Drefong (USA) (by Gio Point (USA)). His crop of 31 foals produced 33 victories, and won 11 debut races (all in JRA races). In addition, his colt Geoglyph triumphed in the Sapporo Nisai Stakes (G3). In second place was Silver State (by Deep Impact), who never contested a graded race when he was active. His crop of 22 foals produced 32 victories and six debut race victories (five in JRA races, one in a NAR race). In addition, his filly Water Navillera notched the win in the KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy Stakes (G3). The third place was occupied by Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Isla Bonita (by Fuji Kiseki). His crop of 22 foals produced 25 victories and eight debut race victories (six in JRA races, two in NAR races). In addition, his colt Nishino Levante triumphed in the JRA 1-win class Kuromatsu Sho. In fourth place was 2016–2017 JRA Horse of the Year Kitasan Black (by Black Tide), whose crop of 13 foals produced 14 victories. The fact that he ranked just outside the Top 3 based on performance in races for two-year-olds may suggest a tendency to produce late bloomers in long-distance races. His first crop produced eight debut race victories (seven in JRA races and one in a NAR race), and his colt Equinox won the Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (G2). It will be interesting to watch to what extent his colts and fillies can narrow the gap with other runners in the classic races for three-year-olds and upward.

Sires newly introduced in 2022
・Contrail: Win record of five G1 races: Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), Japan Cup, and Hopeful Stakes
(foaled in 2017; by Deep Impact, Shadai Stallion Station)
・Danon Smash: Win record of two G1 races: Takamatsunomiya Kinen and Hong Kong Sprint
(foaled in 2015; by Lord Kanaloa, Breeders Stallion Station)　
・Mischevious Alex (USA): Win record of one G1 race: Carter Handicap (USA)　　
(foaled in 2017; by Into Mischief (USA), JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station)
・Poetic Flare (IRE): Win record of two G1 races: 2000 Guineas Stakes (UK) and St. James’s Palace Stakes (UK)
(foaled in 2018; by Dawn Approach (IRE), Shadai Stallion Station)
・Benbatl (GB): Win record of three G1 races: Dubai Turf (UAE), Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) Caulfield Stakes (AUS), and the Grosser Dallmayr Preis (GER)
(foaled in 2014; by Dubawi (IRE), Big Red Farm)

JRA = Japan Racing Association
NAR = National Association of Racing (Racing by Local Governments)

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