Deep Impact Colt Flies Home in Japanese Derby

Fourth favourite Shahryar (Deep Impact-Dubai Majesty, by Essence of Dubai) has taken out the 2021 Gr1 Japanese Derby (2400m) in Tokyo after a finishing burst that has to be seen to be believed. Known colloquially as the Tokyo Yushun, the blue-riband is the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown for 3YOs, sandwiched between the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, 3,000m). Heading into what is Japan’s third richest race with a ¥200 million purse (AUD$2.361 million), there were some familial clues for pedigree followers – Shahryar’s full-brother Al Ain won 2017’s Satsuki Sho. This was the seventh Japanese Derby winner for sire Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) after Deep Brillante (2012), Kizuna (2013), Makahiki (2016), Wagnerian (2018), Roger Barows (2019) and Contrail (2020). Ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga, who also won the Derby aboard Wagnerian and Contrail, Shahryar turned in a terrific turn of speed as soon as he was freed from traffic in the run, engaging in a duel with hitherto undefeated 2021 Satsuki Sho winner Efforia (Epiphaneia) in the last 100 metres. The winning margin was a nose, with a further 1.25-lengths to third-placed Stella Veloce (Bago). In claiming his maiden Group 1 at his fourth start, Shahyrar shaved 0.1 seconds off the race record.