Deep Sound, one of many outstanding runners from Runnymede’s exceptional 2008 foal crop around the world, earned group stakes credentials on February 13 by finishing a strong third in the Kyodo News Service Hai (G3) at Tokyo Racecourse.
After setting much of the pace under new jockey Masayoshi Ebina, Deep Sound battled to the wire only about 1 ½ lengths behind winner Nakayama Knight, who he had previously defeated.
Deep Sound’s performance can be seen by clicking here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_5W9RJr4pY&feature=player_embedded
The race was a prep for the classic Satsuki Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) (G1) on April 17 at Nakayama Racecourse. Deep Sound showed he could be a worthy runner in that race as among those he defeated in the Kyodo News Service Hai were favorite Danon Ballade, already a group stakes winner, and Satono O, a half brother to 2008 Satsuki Sho winner Captain Thule who was sold for $942,400 as a weanling.
Deep Sound as well as Danon Ballade and Satono O are all by Triple Crown winner Deep Impact, who broke records as Japan’s leading freshman sire in 2010.
Bred by Runnymede in Japan in partnership with Peter Callahan, Deep Sound was produced by our Danehill mare Josette, who has since returned to our farm in Paris, Kentucky. The handsome bay colt races for Yuichi Masuda and is trained by Kazuhiro Seishi; he has earned more than $300,000.
Deep Sound is one of a phenomenal four classic candidates that could represent Runnymede this year on three continents, an amazing achievement for a farm that maintains a broodmare band numbering only about 30 mares.
Other members of our 2008 foal crop include Grade 1 winner Jaycito and Grade 3 winner Rogue Romance, who finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Both are candidates for the Kentucky Derby (G1) and the Triple Crown series.
In Ireland, we have Laughing Lashes, a filly we bred in Kentucky who as a juvenile won a Group 2 race and finished second at the Group 1 level. She is expected to aim for filly classic races in Europe.