Real Impact is certainly living up to his name with his first-crop 2YO runners in Japan, adding a new winner and four new placegetters from six runners last weekend.
The dual Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact now leads the country's First Season Sires' premiership with ¥36.4 million (~$480,000) – almost ¥8.5 million ahead of another Deep Impact son and Real Impact's Shadai barn-mate Champion 3YO colt and French Group 2 winner Kizuna.
After placing on debut three weeks earlier, the filly In The Movie (ex Spokeswoman by Invincible Spirit) became Real Impact's 4th individual winner when she led, then accelerated clear of her rivals to score by 3.5 lengths over 1400 metres at Chukyo on Sunday 30 June.
Making their first raceday appearances were Real Impact's four JRA placegetters at the weekend:
- Milepost(colt ex Imprevu by Forty Niner's son Twining) – 3rd, 1200m, Hakodate
- Armbrust(colt ex Vent Fleche by Sakura Bakushin O) &Teleos Hime(filly ex Dreaming Bird by Forty Niner) – 2nd & 3rd, 1200m, Fukushima
- Vip Liverpool(colt ex Charismatic Gold by Charismatic)- 2nd, 1400m, Chukyo
These performances take Real Impact's record in Japan to 4 winners and 6 placegetters from 16 runners – enough to consolidate his early season lead on the First Season Sires' list, ahead of another Deep Impact son, 2013 Champion 3YO Colt Kizuna.
Group racing for juveniles in Japan begins in July, with the Hakodate Nisai S. 1200m G3 on 21 July, followed by the Niigata Nisai S. 1600m G3 on 25 August.
Real Impact has two fillies and a colt in the Yearling Session of next week's JRHA Select Sale, but is not represented in the Foal Session.
With rising 2YOs & yearlings and foals-to-come in Australia, Real Impact spearheads Arrowfield's Japanese stallion project, pursued on the 2019 roster by Horse of the Year Maurice & Champion Sprinter-Miler Mikki Isle, whose first Australian yearlings sell in 2020, and newcomer Dubai Group 1 winner Real Steel.
Maurice and Mikki Isle are well-represented with their first Japanese yearlings and second-crop foals in the JRHA Select Salescheduled for Monday 8 & Tuesday 9 July.
