Sunday Silence

[Swaps1955]

Did anyone notice that in the 2 mile Tenno Sho (Spring) won by Deep Impact, the first three finishers were ALL by Sunday Silence, the fourth & fifth finishers were out of Sunday Silence mares and the sixth horse was by a son of Sunday Silence? (I didn't go beyond sixth place!). Anyone ever remember a major stakes races with a single stallion so predominant--particular on the sire AND dam line?

[Sam]

Not a thoroughbred one (though I'm sure it's happened) but I see it in Quarter Horses a lot with the Dash For Cash/First Down Dash lines.

[sunday_silence]

Did anyone notice that in the 2 mile Tenno Sho (Spring) won by Deep Impact, the first three finishers were ALL by Sunday Silence, the fourth & fifth finishers were out of Sunday Silence mares and the sixth horse was by a son of Sunday Silence? (I didn't go beyond sixth place!). Anyone ever remember a major stakes races with a single stallion so predominant--particular on the sire AND dam line?

This sort of thing isn't at all uncommon in big races there. The last time I got a chance to watch something TVG was covering from Japan, 11 of 16 starters had SS as sire, grandsire or broodmare sire. His success has outlived him and is unlikely to stop. In 2004, he was (of course) #1 general sire and, of the rest of the top 5, 2 others were his sons. 3 of the top 5 freshman sires that year were also his sons. A lot of the ones related to him are easy to pick out of the crowd, too, because he's one who really stamped. Buyers would cringe at the conformation of some of his get until they learned he was the sire.

[GoutHurtsMyToes]

Anyone ever remember a major stakes races with a single stallion so predominant--particular on the sire AND dam line?

I think every year for the last 5 years or so, Sadler's Wells has been represented significantly in both the Epsom and Irish Derbies.

In Germany, a horse named Lomitas (who raced briefly in California--see the chapter on him in "The Horse Whisperer) sired roughly 75% of the field for the German Derby a few years ago.

A few years ago, the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington was won by Startac, by Theatrical. Theatrical also sired 2nd place finisher Strut The Stage. And 3rd place finisher Sharp Performance. He might have also sired the 5th place finisher.

That same year, Gilded Time sired Lasersport to win the San Miguel at Santa Anita. Runner up Early Flyer was also by Gilded Time. I think the 3rd place finisher was, too, I think the name was Bills Paid or something. Early Flyer and Lasersport may have traded places running 1-2 in the San Vincente a few weeks later, too.

[Sunday Silence]

Deep Impact is an amazing horse. Too bad we don't have more 2 mile races in the USA. Come to think of it, are there any 2 mile flat races still here?

[LaTroienne]

I doubt it....if there are, they're probably not well-known.

[parlo]

Just a little correction:

Up to now Lomitas has had 10 runners in 7 German Derbys since 1999 (his first 3yo-generation). 5 of them ran in 1999 and made a tremendous start for a freshman-sire: 1st – 4th – 5th – 9th and unplaced in a field of 17 contenders.

After 1999 he had 2 runners twice with a second place as best result.

[Lucy]

Anyone ever remember a major stakes races with a single stallion so predominant--particular on the sire AND dam line?

This is nothing new - take a gander at some of the real old-timey USA races. In many major races from the 1860s-70s, the top finishers would all either be by Lexington, or by a son of Lexington, or by Australian crossed on a daughter of Lexington....you get the picture.

[louis finochio]

When Sunday Silence was trained by Charlie W. I used to look into SS eyes to look for the markings of the breeders eye.

Had I owned SS I would of kept SS on this side of the pond meaning USA.

When you find the markings of the breeders eye, the goldmine stallions will stay home.

[nferro9925]

It's sad to say that Sunday Silence may not have been the
great sire he became if he stayed here. Halo is not all that popular
with commercial breeders and he may have been a good sire, but
not a great one.

I too, wish he had stayed here, but I am glad he got the chance to
become 'Mr Big' somewhre!

[louis finochio]

When you look a the portfolio of mares SS was bred to, you will have to agree those mares were of high quality.

Whether SS would of been as successful on the US side of the pond will never be known.

[sunday_silence]

Gobs of mares were purchased with SS in mind. Not every stallion has the advantage of having books of the most compatible mares handpicked.

[adrienne]

Deep Impact is an amazing horse. Too bad we don't have more 2 mile races in the USA. Come to think of it, are there any 2 mile flat races still here?

I think small tracks usually run 1-2 2-mile races a year more as an interest thing.

We have a gelding, Scarlet Lad, who LOVED to run two miles (I sadly put in past tense as he bowed this week and will be retiring to the farm).

There is a little track in South Souix City (SD, I THINK) with a quarter mile track that runs 1 weekend a year. That means the 2 mile race they run is 8 times around, I guess jockeys have a hard time keeping count

~Adrienne

[parlo]

Looks like 6-days-racing for bicycle-riders!

Our smallest course in Germany has a nearly quadrangle-like shape of 2f each side - and this is already a circus.

[louis finochio]

Deep Impact by Sunday Silence won the Japanese TC. The Japan TC consists of these 3 races.

APRIL 16 JAPANESE 2000 Guineas 1 mile and on quarter Turf.
Nakayama Race track.

MAY 28 Japanese Derby 1 mile and one-half Turf.
Tokyo Racetrack.

October 22 Japanese St. Leger one mile and 7-eights on Turf.
Kyoto Racetrack

The Japanese TC is for TB that are bred only in Japan.

When you compare the space between our TC and the Japanese TC, one can see why so many of our TB are pushed off the cliffs edge.

I would like to see more time between our TC races and patterned after the Euro TC and the Japan TC.