2023 News

Summary of sires results for 2022

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

Deep Impact the general ranking champion for the 11th consecutive year

General sires ranking

Deep Impact

In the 2022 general ranking in Japan, Deep Impact (by Sunday Silence (USA)), who produced 13 generations over his career, and Lord Kanaloa (by King Kamehameha), who produced six generations over his career, were locked in a battle for top position throughout the year, but the former ultimately gained the edge in December, becoming the champion sire in this category for the 11th consecutive year. His three-year-old colt Ask Victor More won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1), thereby securing an impressive 12th consecutive victory for the champion sire in the classic races for three-year-olds since 2011, when Deep Impact’s first generation started entering races. In addition, his five-year-old stallion Potager won the Osaka Hai (G1). As the last crop of Deep Impact born in Japan in 2020 was small (six foals), we now may have to look to Auguste Rodin (IRE), who triumphed in the Vertem Futurity Trophy (G1) in the UK, to continue the champion sire’s winning streak for a 13th year.

In second place for a third consecutive year was Lord Kanaloa, who also topped the ranking in several months since January, including in November, but ultimately gave up his lead. His three-year-old colt Danon Scorpion was victorious in the NHK Mile Cup (G1), and his five-year-old stallion Panthalassa won both the Nakayama Kinen (G2) and the Dubai Turf (G1), although the latter victory was not reflected in the rankings. Two third-crop sires also advanced considerably in the rankings for this category: Duramente (by King Kamehameha) and Maurice (by Screen Hero). Duramente’s four-year-old horse Titleholder secured victories in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) and the Takarazuka Kinen (G1), while his three-year-old filly Stars on Earth triumphed in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) (G1) and the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1). In addition, his two-year-old colt Dura Erede won the Hopeful Stakes (G1), while his two-year-old filly Liberty Island dominated the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1). As a result of these performances, Duramente jumped from 11th place last year to fifth place. Meanwhile, Maurice’s four-year-old mare Geraldina was victorious in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1), pushing up his ranking from 16th place last year to 9th place.

General two-year-old sires ranking

Duramente

The ranking for the two-year-old category saw a generational change as Duramente overtook Deep Impact in a final spurt from 5th place in November to secure the top spot for the first time, thereby denying the latter a seventh consecutive victory. This formidable achievement was attributable to Liberty Island’s win in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) in December, and Dura Erede’s victory in the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

In second place was Epiphaneia, who appeared to be cruising in the top spot throughout the year. His colt Chance the Roses secured two victories, one of which in the Ivy Stakes (L), while his filly Moryana similarly triumphed in two races, one of which being the Cosmos Sho. Third place was held by rankings newcomer Rulership (by King Kamehameha). His undefeated colt Dolce More won three consecutive races, including the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup (G3) and the Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1), while his colt King’s Reign achieved two victories and finished 3rd in the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

General first crop sires ranking

In the general first crop sires ranking in 2022, Best Warrior (USA) (by Majestic Warrior (USA)) led the pack when the races for two-year-olds kicked off thanks to victories by his progeny in NAR dirt races, but he was later overtaken by Mind Your Biscuits (USA) (by Posse (USA)), who held on to the top spot to ultimately become the champion. His 28 colts and fillies delivered 36 victories, including a win by his colt Derma Sotogake in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun in Kawasaki. Second place was held by Real Steel (by Deep Impact), whose 19 colts and fillies notched 21 wins. His colt All Parfait secured two victories, one of which in the Daily Hai Nisai Stakes (G2). Among sires that produced their first generation, the progeny of Real Steel and Greater London (by Deep Impact) both won JRA graded races. In third place was Shanghai Bobby (USA) (by Harlan’s Holiday (USA)), whose 21 colts and fillies notched 30 wins. His colt Mandarin Hero triumphed in the principal race Haiseiko Kinen in Oi. Fourth place, by a slim margin, went to Declaration of War (USA) (by War Front (USA)) on account of a decent track record overseas. His 18 colts and fillies secured 21 victories. His colt Top Knife notched two wins, one of which in the Hagi Stakes (L), and finished 2nd in the in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) after being edged out by a nose. In addition, his colt Doctor Dolittle triumphed in a newcomer race.

Sires newly introduced in 2023
・Caravaggio (USA): Win record of two G1 races: Commonwealth Cup and Phoenix Stakes
(foaled in 2014; by Scat Daddy (USA), JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station)
・Will Take Charge (USA): Win record of two G1 races: Travers Stakes and Clark Stakes 
(foaled in 2010; by Unbridled’s Song (USA), Darley Japan Stallion Complex)
・Glory Vase: Win record of two G1 races: Hong Kong Vase (two wins)
(foaled in 2015; by Deep Impact, Breeders Stallion Station)
・Salios: Win record of one G1 race: Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes
(foaled in 2017; by Heart’s Cry, Shadai Stallion Station) 
・Omega Perfume: Win record of five top level races: four consecutive victories in the Tokyo Daishoten and one win in the Teio Sho
(foaled in 2015; by Swept Overboard (USA), Lex Stud) 

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

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