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.
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.
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 stellar career at home with his Meydan Dubai Turf G1 victory on World Cup night in 2016.
Real Steel stands at a fee of $16,500.
