Deep Brillante

Japanese Triple Crown winner Deep Impact’s son, Deep Brillante notched the 2400 metres Tokyo Yahsun (Japanese Derby), the world’s richest Derby, in a pulsating finish at Tokyo, Japan. Veteran rider Yasunari Iwata partnered the colt trained by Yoshito Yahagi.

Breaking out well from ten draw, Deep Brillante headed to the fence swiftly and lay fourth early, behind the pace setter Zelos and Tosen Homareboshi. The field spread out as they headed left, to take the final turn and with two furlongs left Tosen Homareeboshi emerged in front. Deep Brillante responded to the rider’s urgings on the straight and bridged the gap with a forceful gallop and sped ahead inside the last furlong. Fenomeno made a late bid towards the closing stages but the effort went in vain, falling short by the proverbial hairline at the wire. Tonsen Homareboshi finished third, three parts of a length adrift, ahead of World Ace.

In a touching gesture, Yasunari Iwata said, "Praise him not me, it was his guts that won it, as he was completely empty at the finish. I have always thought he was the best horse in this generation so we trained him very hard to get a big success. We thought he was the best one and I am proud that we could prove it."