2024 News

Summary of sires results for 2023

By Shoichi Narita, The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA)

Duramente becomes general ranking champion for the first time

General sires ranking

Duramente

In the 2023 general ranking in Japan, Lord Kanaloa (by King Kamehameha), who produced seven generations over his career, consistently occupied the top spot from the start of the year, but Duramente (by King Kamehameha), who produced four generations over his career and had similarly held on to 2nd place throughout the year, ultimately gained the lead in the Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix) in December, becoming the champion sire in this category for the first time. In the Arima Kinen race, Stars on Earth and Titleholder finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively, winning just over 300 million yen in prize money. Until the week prior, Lord Kanaloa retained the edge with a difference of over 100 million yen, but the Arima Kinen race reversed the ranking, giving Duramente the lead with a difference of approximately 200 million yen. His three-year-old filly Liberty Island swept the Triple Crown races for fillies, his three-year-old colt Champagne Color triumphed in the NHK Mile Cup (G1), and his three-year-old colt Durezza won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1).

In 2nd place for a fourth consecutive year was Lord Kanaloa, who topped the ranking from January to November, but ultimately gave up his lead. His three-year-old filly Brede Weg was victorious in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1), his seven-year-old stallion First Force won the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1), and his six-year-old horse Panthalassa won the Saudi Cup (G1), although the victory was not reflected in the ranking.

Kizuna (by Deep Impact) moved up from 5th place last year to 3rd. His five-year-old mare Songline secured consecutive victories in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) and Victoria Mile (G1).　

Deep Impact (by Sunday Silence (USA)), the champion sire in the 11 consecutive years until 2023 who produced 14 generations over his career, dropped to 5th place. His five-year-old stallion Justin Palace won the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1). The sire’s unparalleled legacy of producing winners of classic races for three-year-olds in 13 consecutive years continued as his overseas colt Auguste Rodin (IRE) won the Epsom Derby (G1) in England and the Irish Derby (G1) in Ireland.

In other developments, Kitasan Black (by Black Tide) secured 6th place, breaking into the top 10 from 16th place in 2022, thanks to the strong performance of his colt Equinox, the highest-rated horse in the world. His three-year-old colt Sol Oriens won the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (G1).

General two-year-old sires ranking

Kizuna

The ranking for the two-year-old category saw Kizuna become the champion for the first time, moving up from 13th in 2022. While still in 2nd place in November, he ultimately gained the lead. Among his progeny in this generation, 33 colts and fillies won 39 races, but none of the victories were in graded races.  

In 2nd place was Epiphaneia (by Symboli Kris S (USA)). Although his progeny in this generation did not produce any winners in graded races, his filly Stellenbosch finished 2nd in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), while his colt Jun Gold secured two victories. Meanwhile, 3rd place went to Suave Richard (by Heart’s Cry), who newly entered the ranking despite being a first crop sire. His filly Regaleira won the Hopeful Stakes (G1).

General first crop sires ranking

Suave Richard

In the general first crop sires ranking in 2023, Moanin (USA) (by Henny Hughes (USA)) led the pack when the races for two-year-olds kicked off thanks to numerous victories by his progeny in NAR dirt races. In August, however, he was overtaken by Suave Richard, who held on to the top spot and ultimately became the champion. His 21 colts and fillies secured 26 victories, including a win by his filly Regaleira (already mentioned above). His filly Corazon Beat won the Keio Hai Nisai Stakes (G2), and finished 3rd in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. In 2nd place was Bricks and Mortar (USA) (by Giant’s Causeway (USA)), whose 14 colts and fillies notched 19 wins. His colt Gonbade Qabus secured two victories, one of which in the Saudi Arabia Royal Cup (G3), and his colt Aigle Noir won the Hyogo Junior Grand Prix and finished 2nd in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun. The two first crop sires mentioned thus far secured victories in JRA graded races through their progeny. In third place was Moanin (USA) whose 44 colts and fillies notched 61 wins, with many of the victories secured in NAR races. Finally, 4th place, by a slim margin, went to New Year’s Day (USA) (by Street Cry (IRE)), whose 23 colts and fillies secured 26 victories.

Sires newly introduced in 2024
・Sharp Azteca (USA): Win record of one G1 race: Cigar Mile Handicap
(foaled in 2013; by Freud (USA), JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station)
・Palace Malice (USA): Win record of two G1 races: Belmont Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap
(foaled in 2010; by Curlin (USA), Darley Japan Stallion Complex)
・Westover (GB): Win record of two G1 races: Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
(foaled in 2019; by Frankel (GB), Yushun Stallion Station) 
・Panthalassa: Win record of two G1 races: Saudi Cup and Dubai Turf
(foaled in 2017; by Lord Kanaloa, Arrow Stud) 
・Equinox: Win record of six G1 races: Including the Japan Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic
(foaled in 2019; by Kitasan Black, Shadai Stallion Station) 
・Titleholder: Win record of three G1 races: Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), Tenno Sho (Spring) and Takarazuka Kinen
(foaled in 2018; by Duramente, Lex Stud)

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

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