Real Steel’s sister wins Japanese Oaks
Real Steel is not only a Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact, he's also from one of the world's very best female families. (PHOTO: J. Fukuda)
Arrowfield’s new sire Real Steel already has plenty to recommend him, as a Group 1-winning son of Japan’s supersire Deep Impact descended from the great racemare and genuine “blue hen” Miesque.
On Sunday his full sister Loves Only You burnished that solid-gold pedigree when she stormed to a record-breaking victory in the ~A$3 million Yushun Himba 2400m G1 (Japanese Oaks).
Loves Only You came into the race unbeaten in three starts, including a 3-length win in last month’s 2000-metre Hanshin Wasurenagusa Sho LR, but had missed the traditional lead-up in the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas).
She showed an incredible burst of speed and stretched beautifully. She has a heart of steel and can’t stand to lose.
– Jockey Mirco Demuro on Loves Only You
She left no doubts about her brilliance and stamina when she burst through to challenge Curren Bouquetd’or (also by Deep Impact) less than 100 metres from the post, winning in 2:22.8 – 0.8 seconds faster than two-time Horse of the Year Gentildonna won the race in 2012.
World’s richest Oaks, the G1 2400m Japan Oaks at Tokyo won by LOVES ONLY YOU (Deep Impact X Loves Only Me 🇺🇸) in record time of 2.22.8
12.5 – 10.9 – 11.7 – 11.9 – 12.1 – 12.2 – 12.3 – 12.2 – 11.7 – 11.4 – 11.6 – 12.3
JRA Tote held ¥17,484,302,600pic.twitter.com/X8QMVSfkiS
— G (@LongBallToNoOne) May 19, 2019
Bred by Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm, and raced by DMM Dream Club Co. Ltd, Loves Only You is the third stakeswinner her dam Loves Only Me (by Storm Cat) has left to Deep Impact, after Real Steel and Listed winner Prodigal Son. She also has an unraced 2YO filly by the 7-time Champion Sire, once again in his customary position at the head of Japan’s 2019 General Sires’ Premiership.
Real Steel and Loves Only Me are closely related to French Derby G1 winner Study Of Man (also by Deep Impact from a Storm Cat daughter of Miesque). Other major international performers on their shared pedigree page include multiple Group 1 winner and Champion Sire Kingmambo, Champion 3YO Fillies Alpha Centauri & East Of The Moon, Champion 2YO Filly Rumplestiltskin and Breeders’ Cup Mile G1 winner Karakontie.
A debut winner at two, Real Steel capped a top-class career at home with his Meydan Dubai Turf G1 victory on World Cup night in 2016 and retired to stud at Shadai with earnings of more than $7 million.
