2026 News

Leading Sires in Japan for 2025

By The Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA)

Kizuna Claims Overall Title for Second Consecutive Year; Epiphaneia Advances to Top 2-Year-Old Rankings

Overall Leading Sires
In the 2025 overall domestic rankings, Kizuna (by Deep Impact) shone brightly as champion sire for the second year in a row. Lord Kanaloa (by King Kamehameha) secured second place for the sixth year in a row, while Kitasan Black rose to third place. Duramente, in the fourth-spot last year, held his placing.

Claiming the title for the second consecutive year, Kizuna continued to demonstrate the strength of his bloodline extending from sire Deep Impact to grandsire Sunday Silence. His progeny excelled, with W Heart Bond winning the Champions Cup (G1) and the Miyako Stakes (G3). Kizuna progeny notched 18 graded stakes races, including winning runs achieved by Sixpence in the Nakayama Kinen (G2), Queen's Walk in the Kinko Sho (G2), and Eri King in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (G2). Kizuna offspring turned in consistent performances in graded-stakes events, across both the JRA and the NAR racing circuits. While Kizuna’s warriors remain strong, the rise of other stallions promises a fierce battle ahead for the leading sire title of 2026.

The progeny of runnerup Lord Kanaloa displayed their versatility over both turf and dirt surfaces and at a variety of distances. Notable winners include Osaka Hai (G1) winner Bellagio Opera, Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) champion Satono Reve, and Costa Nova, who captured the February Stakes (G1) and the Negishi Stakes (G3). The consistency of Lord Kanaloa’s runners are a testimony to his 6-year grasp on the No. 2 spot.

Kitasan Black placed in third place with multiple graded stakes winners. Foremost among them was Croix du Nord, who captured the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1). Other Kitasan Black winners included Gaia Force, who claimed the Fuji Stakes (G2) and Piko Chan Black, first-place finisher in the Spring Stakes (G2). Fourth place Duramente produced standout performers such as Masquerade Ball, who claimed the Grade 1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), and Energico, winner of the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) (G1). In fifth place in the sire rankings was Drefong (USA), sire of Mikki Fight, who demonstrated his strength in regional racing.

Kizuna

Leading Sires of 2-Year-Olds
Consistently producing winners, most notably Firostefani, first in the Artemis Stakes (G3), Epiphaneia advanced from a 4-year run in the No. 2 spot to claim this first top placing in the 2-year-old division. Hot on his heels as division runnerup was Saturnalia. He produced multiple graded stakes winners, those led by Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (G1) winner Cavallerizzo, who was named Best Two-Year-Old Colt in the 2025 JRA Awards. Other Saturnalia winning progeny included Fantasy Stakes (G3) champ Festival Hill and Justin Vista, winner of the Kyoto Nisai Stakes (G3). Le Vent Se Leve made the rankings’ No. 3 spot, buoyed by success such as that of Tamamo Freesia, winner of the JBC Nisai Yushun.

First Crop Leading Sires
Contrail topped the 2025 first-crop sires rankings. His offspring, thanks to their consistent results in JRA events, were far ahead of the competition for earnings. Following Contrail in the list of first crop sires were Matera Sky (USA) in the No. 2 spot, Mischevious Alex (USA) in third, Chrysoberyl in fourth, and Benbatl (GB) in fifth place. Even when including progeny’s results from the NAR circuit, new stallions dominated the top ranks and raised expectations for what the next generation has to bring.

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

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