Japan’s great sire Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) enjoyed yet another big weekend with his son Al Ain lifting the spoils in Sunday’s classic Gr1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), to win the 77th running of the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown by a neck.

The same day saw another son of the former Japanese Triple Crown winner Akihiro stamp his Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club claims when narrowly touched off in the Gr3 Prix Noailles at Chantilly.
Akihiro, winner of the Gr3 Prix des Chenes as a two-year-old, could bid to become the second French classic winner for Deep Impact, whose daughter Beauty Parlour lifted the 2012 Gr1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas).

Al Ain, the second Deep Impact son in as many years to win the Satsuki Sho (his sire himself won the classic back in 2005), provided trainer Yasutoshi Ikee with a 1-2 finish, with the conditioner also saddling the runner up Persian Knight (Harbinger).

The colt, whose dam, Dubai Majesty (Essence Of Dubai) won the 2010 Gr1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, has now won four of just five starts and he is the 29th Gr1 winner for Deep Impact.

The latter, who is currently well clear on the 2017 Japanese General Sires List, has been represented by six stakes winners world wide this year, including 2017 Gr1 Dubai Turf winner Vivlos.

Deep Impact has been champion sire in Japan on five occasions and is the sire of 94 stakes winners to date. Among his best progeny are champions Gentildonna, the above mentioned Beauty Parlor, dual Gr1 winner A Shin Hikari, Australian Gr1 winner Real Impact, and Vivlos and Real Steel –both winners of the Gr1 Dubai Turf.
He has at least 13 official champions to his credit and is without doubt one of the world’s elite stallions.