Sayonara to the World Traveller Loves Only You

Mark Smith - Sunday December 12

Legendary sire Deep Impact made his mark at Sha Tin with a Group I double on Sunday - Yoshito Yahagi's wonderful Deep Impact mare Loves Only You (JPN) heads into retirement with wins in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Longines Hong Kong Cup and her final two starts.

There was a gap and she did not flinch (image HKJC)

The world traveller led home a 1-2 for Japan in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday when Yuga Kawada found a narrow seam between the Heart's Cry entire Hishi Iguazu (JPN) and Galileo x Atlantic Jewel gelding Russian Emperor (IRE).

The winner of the 2019 Japanese Oaks, Loves Only You defeated Hishi Iguazu (JPN) by a short-head with Russian Emperor (IRE) a further three-quarter of a length back in third in his best showing in Hong Kong.

Advertisement

"I’m really proud.She jumped well but the pace was a bit slow. She relaxed well and then I was able to get a good position," Kawada said.

“She’s given me two big presents.”
“She’s the best female horse I’ve ever ridden.
“I hope she will be a good mother.”

In February, the 5yo mare began the year with a win in the Group II Kyoto Kinen at Hanshin.

A mo

nth later, she was in Meydan finishing a close-up third behind Mishriff and fellow Japanese traveller Chrono Genesis in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Back on a plane, Loves Only You was next seen leading home a Japanese domination of the Group 1  Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Sha Tin in April.

After a four-month break, she finished second to the snow-white Sodashi in the Group II Sapporo Kinen.

Bred by the Yoshida family's Northern Farm, Loves Only You was purchased at the JRHA Select Yearling Sale by DMM.com Co for 280m yen.

A sister to the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Real Steel and the stakes-winner Prodigal Son, Loves Only You is one of seven winners from eight to race out of the unraced Storm Cat mare Loves Only Me a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Rumplestiltskin (Danehill Dancer), dam of Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry.

The dam of Loves Only Me, Monevassia (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Kingmambo out of the incomparable Miesque.

The daughter of Deep Impact retires with a record of eight wins (four Group 1), two seconds and three thirds from 16 starts.

She was one of two Group I winners at the big Hong Kong meeting for Deep Impact, read about Glory Vase here.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1500 Weanling Becomes $525,000 Top Lot at MM National Yearling Finale
A colt by Harry Angel set a new benchmark in Australia for his sire and topped the final day of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale when selling for $525,000 to conclude a hugely successful two weeks of sales.
Second Winner For Ghaiyyath As Observer Scores By Five
Second on debut when just three parts of a length off the winner at Pakenham, the James Cummings’ trained Observer (Ghaiyyath) looked sensational as he made a mess of his rivals to score over 1400m in the Tile Importer Handicap on the Sandown Lakeside course.
Impressive First Winner for St Marks Basilica
Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) was the 2021 European Horse of the Year and the son of Siyouni is on the board as a sire with his first winner after Rogue Supremacy scored an impressive debut victory.
Pride of Jenni to Visit I Am Invincible - Match Made in Heaven
Three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible has been confirmed as the first mating for reigning Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year Pride Of Jenni, who will head to the breeding barn this season following a phenomenal racing career.
Stakes Performed Zousain Filly Too Good At Doomben
Third in the Listed Calaway Stakes two starts back, lightly raced two-year-old Zousain filly Sweet Pretender produced the goods at Doomben, charging late to win the Mullins Lawyers QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1350m).
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Almanzor Colt Wins G2 Italian Derby
Wootton Bassett sired the winner of the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) on Sunday in Camille Pissarro and then overnight his champion Cambridge Stud based son Almanzor (Fr) produced the winner of the Group II Derby Italiano (2200m).
Pencarrow Stud hits a hundred winners in stellar season
Pencarrow Stud has celebrated an outstanding achievement with a century of homebred winners for the season.
Winx to Visit Too Darn Hot
World champion racehorse Winx is set for a new chapter in her stud career this spring with an announcement from her ownership group of Peter Tighe, Debbie Kepitis and Elizabeth Treweeke that Too Darn Hot (GB) is the chosen one.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.