The rise of Sunday Silence

[Starine]

What great photos. The wins by the two Japanese fillies were the highlight of the Breeders' Cup for me.

[Gemini]

What great photos. The wins by the two Japanese fillies were the highlight of the Breeders' Cup for me.

Agreed! The F/M Turf was the best race of the entire weekend-- four talented, courageous mares battling to the wire.

[tachyon]

What great photos. The wins by the two Japanese fillies were the highlight of the Breeders' Cup for me.

Agreed! The F/M Turf was the best race of the entire weekend-- four talented, courageous mares battling to the wire.

And the Distaff will be remembered by many Japanese fans as the race of the decade..
Most Japanese had thought that it would be more difficult for a Japanese bred & trained horse to win a US dirt G1 than to win the Arc at Longchamp. And that was the prestigious Distaff!!!
If I had a vote for the JRA Award this year, Marche Lorraine will be not only the Horse of the Year but also the Horse of the Century!!
Yes the race was perfectly set up for the closer and she was just lucky.
But I will never forget the moment when the Sunday Silence sire-line revived a Japanese old lineage in the biggest racing day in the US.
Japanese racing really owes what it is to the great Sunday Silence!!

''Marche Lorraine's Japanese Lineage Shines Through in BC''
https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing ... ough-in-bc
.
(I'm sorry. A good deal of time has passed after that race. But I'm still excited!)

[tachyon]

Kizuna(JPN)(Deep Impact) sired his first G1 winner, when his 4yo daughter Akai Ito(JPN)[o/o Wadjet(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA)] won the QE2 Cup 2200m turf at Hanshin under Hideyuki Miyuki on Nov 14th 2021 off odds 64/1.





-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfxFaww7dbk
1st 16 Akai Ito(JPN) [Kizuna(JPN) x Wadjet(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA)] F4 56 02:12.1
2nd 5 Stellaria(JPN) [Kizuna(JPN) x Pollenator(IRE) by Motivator(GB)] F3 54 02:12.4 2
3rd 2 Clavel(JPN) [Epiphaneia(JPN) x Dia de la Madre(JPN) by King Kamehameha(JPN)] F4 56 02:12.5 NK
4th 11 Soft Fruit(JPN) F4 56 02:12.5 NK
5th 4 Izu Jo no Kiseki(JPN) F4 56 02:12.5 NS
6th 1 Lei Papale(JPN) F4 56 02:12.6 NK
7th 3 Akaitorino Musume(JPN) F3 54 02:12.6 NK
8th 12 Des Ailes(JPN) F4 56 02:12.7 NK
9th 6 Rambling Alley(JPN) M5 56 02:12.8 1
10th 15 Win Kiitos(JPN) F4 56 02:12.8 HD
11th 8 Terzetto(JPN) F4 56 02:13.0 3/4
12th 10 Musica(JPN) F4 56 02:13.0 1/2
13th 17 Kotobuki Thetis(JPN) F4 56 02:13.2 1
14th 13 Lune Rouge(JPN) M6 56 02:14.5 8
15th 7 Shamrock Hill(JPN) F4 56 02:14.5 NS
16th 9 Win Marilyn(JPN) F4 56 02:14.7 1 1/2
17th 14 Rose Amour(JPN) M5 56 02:16.7 DS

-- JRA review
''Tenth Pick Akai Ito Scores Upset Victory in This Year's Queen Elizabeth II Cup''
https://japanracing.jp/_news2021/pdf/211114.pdf

Akai Ito(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001234714/
30-5-4-1

Kizuna(JPN)

photo: @nabecci
standing at Shadai Stallion Station

[Ridan_Remembered]

Marche Lorraine(JPN), 2016M. Orfevre(JPN) x Vite Marcher(JPN) by French Deputy(USA), scored her first G1 title by a nose under superb Oisin Murphy in the G1 Breeders Cup Distaff 9F dirt at Del Mar on Nov 7th 2021.
Her race record is now 21-9-2-2.
That’s the first time the Triple Crown winner Orfevre (by Stay Gold) sired his group winner outside of Japan.

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m5SpF7JAbo
1st. Marche Lorraine
2nd. Dunbar Road
3rd. Malathaat

Marche Lorraine(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001215728/

Tachyon, I'm late to this celebration of the Japanese Breeders Cup wins. Congratulations to you and all Japanese owners, breeders, horsemen and, of course, the immortal Sunday Silence. I'm absolutely thrilled beyond measure at Orfevre's success as a sire. He is one of my favorite Japanese-bred horses and is among the most beautiful Thoroughbreds ever, in my opinion. I could not be happier for everyone concerned.

Orfevre and his blonde tail.

[tachyon]

Marche Lorraine(JPN), 2016M. Orfevre(JPN) x Vite Marcher(JPN) by French Deputy(USA), scored her first G1 title by a nose under superb Oisin Murphy in the G1 Breeders Cup Distaff 9F dirt at Del Mar on Nov 7th 2021.
Her race record is now 21-9-2-2.
That’s the first time the Triple Crown winner Orfevre (by Stay Gold) sired his group winner outside of Japan.

-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m5SpF7JAbo
1st. Marche Lorraine
2nd. Dunbar Road
3rd. Malathaat

Marche Lorraine(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001215728/

Tachyon, I'm late to this celebration of the Japanese Breeders Cup wins. Congratulations to you and all Japanese owners, breeders, horsemen and, of course, the immortal Sunday Silence. I'm absolutely thrilled beyond measure at Orfevre's success as a sire. He is one of my favorite Japanese-bred horses and is among the most beautiful Thoroughbreds ever, in my opinion. I could not be happier for everyone concerned.

Orfevre and his blonde tail.

Thank you!
I was watching the BC Distaff live on breederscup.com website with my laptop.
When Marche Lorraine started to gain ground rather effortlessly through the far turn, I felt something very very unusual could be happening.
''What, what's this?''
I couldn't help but to stand up to cheer her in a loud voice when they come down the stretch and I really got tears when I knew she was the winner. I'm a Japanese and now located in Japan, but the North American racing is my second home and that's the only reason I'm posting on this board. I knew how difficult it would be to win a dirt G1 especially on the BC day.
I've been a racing fan for more than 50 years but that was definitely a once-in-a-life-time experience.
Her trainer Yoshito Yahagi commented ''Now I can die at any time'' and most of the Japanese seriously in love with the North American racing must have had the same feeling.
And, yes, I'm glad that she is by Orfevre, the champion horse from the Sunday Silence-line's Stay Gold branch.
As if to celebrate Marche Lorraine's success in the BC Distaff, Orfevre 4yo colt Authority(JPN) won a G2 at Tokyo on the following day and he is likely to become a stallion when he retires from racing.
Orfevre, very very popular among the racing fans, was once completely forgotten by the industry and only given 52 mares in 2019.
Hopefully he will be re-evaluated by the breeders in Japan, and may be in overseas, too.

[Ridan_Remembered]

Thank you!
I was watching the BC Distaff live on breederscup.com website with my laptop.
When Marche Lorraine started to gain ground rather effortlessly through the far turn, I felt something very very unusual could be happening.
''What, what's this?''
I couldn't help but to stand up to cheer her in a loud voice when they come down the stretch and I really got tears when I knew she was the winner. I'm a Japanese and now located in Japan, but the North American racing is my second home and that's the only reason I'm posting on this board. I knew how difficult it would be to win a dirt G1 especially on the BC day.
I've been a racing fan for more than 50 years but that was definitely a once-in-a-life-time experience.
Her trainer Yoshito Yahagi commented ''Now I can die at any time'' and most of the Japanese seriously in love with the North American racing must have had the same feeling.
And, yes, I'm glad that she is by Orfevre, the champion horse from the Sunday Silence-line's Stay Gold branch.
As if to celebrate Marche Lorraine's success in the BC Distaff, Orfevre 4yo colt Authority(JPN) won a G2 at Tokyo on the following day and he is likely to become a stallion when he retires from racing.
Orfevre, very very popular among the racing fans, was once completely forgotten by the industry and only given 52 mares in 2019.
Hopefully he will be re-evaluated by the breeders in Japan, and may be in overseas, too.

Maybe the reason Orfevre hasn't had the success we wish for him is because his offspring prefer dirt racing? There are definite dirt influences in his pedigree, so who knows...anyway, I hope Marche Lorraine's win does cause breeders to take a fresh look at him.

I'm very glad you are on this board. You bring a wonderful perspective to discussions here. I'm an American, but worked most of my career for Nissan and Toyota. So I became acquainted with Japanese culture and admire it greatly. Also, I lived in the Gardena, California area for 40 years. Gardena used to be the center of Japanese-American homes and businesses in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County for many decades. It's where I learned to love Japanese food, among other things.

[tachyon]

Gran Alegria(JPN), 2016M. Deep Impact(JPN) x Tapitsfly(USA) by Tapit(USA), defended her Mile Championship title successfully to become the first back-to-back winner since Daiwa Major(JPN)(Sunday Silence)(2006-07) at Hanshin turf on Nov 21st 2021, ending her stellar racing career with six G1 titles.
Her trainer Kazuo Fujisawa scored his 34th JRA-G1 and 6th Mile Championship victory rewriting his own record for most Mile Championship titles won .
Her jockey Christophe Lemaire, who also enjoyed consecutive Mile Championship victories along with Gran Alegria, has reached milestones of 40 JRA-G1 victories and 1,500 JRA wins.






-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1_K58K9ym8
1st 12 Gran Alegria(JPN) [Deep Impact(JPN) x Tapitsfly(USA) by Tapit(USA)] M5 55 01:32.6
2nd 3 Schnell Meister(GER) [Kingman(GB) x Serienholde(GER) by Soldier Hollow(GB)] C3 56 01:32.7 3/4
3rd 13 Danon the Kid(JPN) [Just a Way(JPN) x Epic Love(IRE) by Dansili(GB)] C3 56 01:32.8 1/2
4th 7 Indy Champ(JPN) H6 57 01:32.8 NS
5th 1 Ho O Amazon(JPN) C3 56 01:33.0 1 1/4
6th 4 Salios(JPN) C4 57 01:33.1 NK
7th 8 Darlington Hall(GB) C4 57 01:33.2 1/2
8th 5 Sound Chiara(JPN) M6 55 01:33.2 NK
9th 11 Catedral(JPN) H5 57 01:33.2 NK
10th 6 Cadence Call(JPN) H5 57 01:33.3 NK
11th 16 Rainbow Flag(JPN) H8 57 01:33.4 1/2
12th 10 Lotus Land(USA) F4 55 01:33.5 3/4
13th 9 Grenadier Guards(JPN) C3 56 01:33.8 1 3/4
14th 2 Kurino Gaudi(JPN) H5 57 01:33.9 NK
15th 14 Ripresa(JPN) C3 56 01:34.7 5
16th 15 Sound Kanaloa(JPN) H5 57 01:35.2 3

Gran Alegria(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001220947/
15-9-2-2

-- JRA review
''Gran Alegria Defends Mile Championship Title in Final Career Start''
https://japanracing.jp/_news2021/pdf/211121.pdf

[Starine]

Silent Runner Graduates To Stakes Winner In Frost King At Woodbine
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/thor ... -woodbine/

[tachyon]

Silent Runner Graduates To Stakes Winner In Frost King At Woodbine
https://www.paulickreport.com/news/thor ... -woodbine/

Thanks for sharing!
I like the name of the stakes race Silent Runner won, too.
Frost King(CAN) was the runner-up to Mairzy Doates(USA) in the inaugural Japan Cup in 1981.



-- replay of the 1981 Japan Cup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRtSJa2BID4
1st. (#14) Mairzy Doates(USA) M6. Cash Asmussen
2nd. (#1) Frost King(CAN) G4. Lloyd Duffy
3rd. (#11) The Very One(USA) M7. Richard Migliore
4th. (#3) P'Tite Tete(FR) H6. Willie Shoemaker

[tachyon]

Thank you!
I was watching the BC Distaff live on breederscup.com website with my laptop.
When Marche Lorraine started to gain ground rather effortlessly through the far turn, I felt something very very unusual could be happening.
''What, what's this?''
I couldn't help but to stand up to cheer her in a loud voice when they come down the stretch and I really got tears when I knew she was the winner. I'm a Japanese and now located in Japan, but the North American racing is my second home and that's the only reason I'm posting on this board. I knew how difficult it would be to win a dirt G1 especially on the BC day.
I've been a racing fan for more than 50 years but that was definitely a once-in-a-life-time experience.
Her trainer Yoshito Yahagi commented ''Now I can die at any time'' and most of the Japanese seriously in love with the North American racing must have had the same feeling.
And, yes, I'm glad that she is by Orfevre, the champion horse from the Sunday Silence-line's Stay Gold branch.
As if to celebrate Marche Lorraine's success in the BC Distaff, Orfevre 4yo colt Authority(JPN) won a G2 at Tokyo on the following day and he is likely to become a stallion when he retires from racing.
Orfevre, very very popular among the racing fans, was once completely forgotten by the industry and only given 52 mares in 2019.
Hopefully he will be re-evaluated by the breeders in Japan, and may be in overseas, too.

Maybe the reason Orfevre hasn't had the success we wish for him is because his offspring prefer dirt racing? There are definite dirt influences in his pedigree, so who knows...anyway, I hope Marche Lorraine's win does cause breeders to take a fresh look at him.

I'm very glad you are on this board. You bring a wonderful perspective to discussions here. I'm an American, but worked most of my career for Nissan and Toyota. So I became acquainted with Japanese culture and admire it greatly. Also, I lived in the Gardena, California area for 40 years. Gardena used to be the center of Japanese-American homes and businesses in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County for many decades. It's where I learned to love Japanese food, among other things.

I know many Japanese live there.
My uncle family emigrated from Japan to LA in the 1970s, too.

As for Orfevre, I think that he has been one of the most underrated stallions of all time in Japan.
He suffered reputational damages caused by harmful rumors and misinformation on the internet.
He may have lacked in the consistency a little bit as his first crop's winners/starters rate (in JRA) stayed at around 30%.
But he managed to sire two G1 winners Epoca d'Oro and Lucky Lilac from his first crop and his average improved in his second crop.
Orfevre is the most powerful Japanese runner (with a bit of strange quirks, haha!) I've ever seen.
If he gets right mares at stud, I believe that he can sire top-notch horses who can show the fundamental power on either surface.
Let's hope we see more Orfevre babies coming to try on the US dirt!!

[tachyon]

The 2020 Triple Crown winner Contrail(JPN), 2017C. Deep Impact(JPN) x Rhodochrosite(USA) by Unbridled's Song(USA), won his swansong beautifully under emotional Yuichi Fukunaga in the G1 Japan Cup 2400m turf at Tokyo on Nov 28th 2021!!!





-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1RLShC5RcQ
1st 2 Contrail(JPN) [Deep Impact(JPN) x Rhodochrosite(USA) by Unbridled's Song(USA)] C4 57 02:24.7
2nd 7 Authority(JPN) [Orfevre(JPN) x Rosalind(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA)] C4 57 02:25.0 2
3rd 4 Shahryar(JPN) [Deep Impact(JPN) x Dubai Majesty(USA) by Essence of Dubai(USA)] C3 55 02:25.2 1 1/2
4th 12 Sanrei Pocket(JPN) H6 57 02:25.4 3/4
5th 6 Grand Glory(GB) M5 55 02:25.5 3/4
6th 14 Uberleben(JPN) F3 53 02:25.5 NK
7th 11 Shadow Diva(JPN) M5 55 02:25.6 1/2
8th 18 Japan(GB) H5 57 02:25.7 NK
9th 9 Aristoteles(JPN) C4 57 02:25.8 1
10th 5 Kiseki(JPN) H7 57 02:26.0 1
11th 3 Broome(IRE) H5 57 02:26.1 1/2
12th 16 You Can Smile(JPN) H6 57 02:26.2 1
13th 13 Mozu Bello(JPN) H5 57 02:26.5 1 1/2
14th 15 Makahiki(JPN) H8 57 02:26.5 NK
15th 10 Lord My Way(JPN) H5 57 02:27.0 3
16th 1 Muito Obrigado(JPN) H7 57 02:27.0 NK
17th 8 Windjammer(JPN) G4 57 02:27.0 HD
18th 17 Wagnerian(JPN) H6 57 02:27.1 NK


@berry29051387

Contrail(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001237042/
11: 8-2-1

[Ridan_Remembered]

Congratulations to the mighty Contrail and all his connections. That was a spectacular win.

[tachyon]

-- from japanracing.jp

''Loves Only You, Glory Vase triumph in 2021 HKIR''
https://japanracing.jp/_news2021/211214-02.html

Loves Only You(JPN), 2016M. Deep Impact(JPN) x Loves Only Me(USA) by Storm Cat(USA), grabbed her 4th G1 title under Yuga Kawada in the Hong Kong Cup 2000m turf at Sha Tin on Dec 12th 2021, becoming the first Japan-based horse to win three overseas G1 races in a single year in her swansong!!!




-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih69n6p5AI0
1st. Loves Only You(JPN)(Deep Impact)
2nd. Hishi Iguazu(JPN)(Heart's Cry)


Glory Vase(JPN), 2015H. Deep Impact(JPN) x Mejiro Tsubone(JPN) by Swept Overboard(USA), won the G1 Hong Kong Vase 2400m turf at Sha Tin with jockey Joao Moreira for a repeat of the team’s win in 2019.




-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9HJZBElukw

[tachyon]

Do Deuce(JPN), 2019C, Heart's Cry(JPN) x Dust and Diamonds(USA) by VIndication(USA), won the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes 1600m turf at Hanshin on Dec 19th 2021 to remain unbeaten with 3 wins from 3 starts!
His dam Dust and Diamonds was the MGSW & runner-up of the 2012 BC Filly and Mare Sprint.
Jockey Yutaka Take took out the Asahi Hai for the first time.






-- replay (English)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy6EzHAQfwQ
1st 9 Do Deuce(JPN) [Heart's Cry[/b](JPN) x Dust and Diamonds(USA) by VIndication(USA)] C2 55 01:33.5
2nd 4 Serifos(JPN) [Daiwa Major(JPN) x Sea Front(FR) and Le Havre(IRE)] C2 55 01:33.6 1/2
3rd 7 Danon Scorpion(JPN) [Lord Kanaloa(JPN) x Lexie Lou(CAN) by Sligo Bay(IRE)] C2 55 01:33.7 1/2
4th 3 Al Naseem(JPN) C2 55 01:34.0 1 3/4
5th 13 Geoglyph(JPN) C2 55 01:34.0 NS
6th 12 Toshin Macau(JPN) C2 55 01:34.0 NS
7th 11 Dobune(JPN) C2 55 01:34.5 3
8th 8 Purpur Ray(JPN) C2 55 01:34.6 1/2
9th 14 Tudo de Bom(JPN) C2 55 01:34.7 1/2
10th 10 Sprit the Sea(JPN) F2 54 01:34.7 NK
11th 5 Via Dolorosa(JPN) C2 55 01:35.0 1 3/4
12th 6 Otaru Ever(JPN) C2 55 01:35.0 NK
13th 2 Sekkachi Cane(JPN) C2 55 01:35.1 NK
14th 1 Kaju Faith(JPN) C2 55 01:35.4 1 1/2
15th 15 Sin Limites(JPN) C2 55 01:37.4 DS

Do Deuce(JPN)
https://www.jbis.jp/horse/0001312226/
3: 3-0-0

-- JRA review
https://japanracing.jp/_news2021/pdf/211219.pdf

[tachyon]

Dabirsim(FR)(Hat Trick) is having a wonderful year!

By wins or by winners, Dabirsim is the best French-based sire of 2yo in EU as of 2021.12.20.

[tachyon]

Aww.. the champ is back!!
Japan's legendary jumper Oju Chosan(JPN), 2011H. Stay Gold(JPN) x Shadow Silhouette(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA), won his 3rd Nakayama Daishogai Jump-G1 4100m turf at Nakayama to score his 8th Jump-G1 title on Dec 25th 2021.
The 10yo has won a Jump-G1 every year since 2016 and will remain in training next year!!






-- replay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39dIsw_8SuU
1st 3 Oju Chosan(JPN) [Stay Gold(JPN) x Shadow Silhouette(JPN) by Symboli Kris S(USA)] H10 63 04:46.6
2nd 10 Blason d'Amour(JPN) [Deep Impact(JPN) x Medaglia d'Amour(USA) by Medaglia d'Oro(USA)] H6 63 04:47.1 3
3rd 2 Leo Beyond(JPN) [Dunkirk(USA) x Watashi Matteruwa(JPN) by Orewa Matteruze(JPN)] H5 63 04:48.0 5
4th 5 Love and Pop(JPN) H8 63 04:48.3 1 1/2
5th 13 Village Eagle(JPN) C4 63 04:48.4 1/2
6th 6 Meiner Prompt(JPN) G9 63 04:48.9 3
7th 4 Tagano Espresso(JPN) H9 63 04:49.0 NK
8th 7 Asakusa Genki(USA) G6 63 04:49.7 4
9th 14 Thinking Dancer(JPN) G8 63 04:49.9 1 1/4
10th 11 Kitano Teio(JPN) H6 63 04:50.3 2 1/2
11th 8 Earth Dragon(JPN) H5 63 04:50.3 HD
12th 12 Haruki Stone(JPN) H6 63 04:51.0 4
13th 9 Baby Step(JPN) H7 63 04:51.5 3
14th 1 Blue Guardian(JPN) H9 63 04:52.7 7

-- JRA review
''Oju Chosan Reemerge as Champion in Eighth J-G1 Triumph at Nakayama Daishogai''
https://japanracing.jp/_news2021/pdf/211225.pdf

[BaroqueAgain1]

I think only in Japan will you find an about-to-be 11yo hurdler-chaser who is still an entire.
I hope he ends up on a farm that will use him to possibly sire a new generation of jumpers.

[tachyon]

I think only in Japan will you find an about-to-be 11yo hurdler-chaser who is still an entire.
I hope he ends up on a farm that will use him to possibly sire a new generation of jumpers.

I'm hoping that Oju Chosan will end up a stallion for the National Hunt in Europe.
And I would think that it's not just a dream.
If it happens, I wonder if the Sunday Silence sire-line will become popular in the Jump Racing in Europe, too.
The Stay Gold branch is the best source of the stamina.

[Starine]

I'm hoping that Oju Chosan will end up a stallion for the National Hunt in Europe.

Wouldn't that be something?