The late, great Deep Impact, whose champion son Danon Platina stands at Mauritzfontein, enjoyed another notable posthumous success when his daughter Loves Only You captured Saturday’s G1 Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.
A first Breeders’ Cup winner for her legendary sire, Loves Only You split favoured War Like Goddess and My Sister Nat to land Saturday’s $2 million contest.
In April, Loves Only You won the FWD Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Sha Tin, leading home four Japan-based runners. It marked the first time Japan-based runners had taken the top four spots in that top Hong Kong event.
Prominently placed in fourth or fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf throughout by jockey Yuga Kawada, Loves Only You was patient as she encountered traffic in the lane before finding a seam inside the sixteenth pole to deliver her winning surge.
Loves Only You prevailed by a half-length over My Sister Nat; completing the 1 3/8-mile race in 2:13.87 on firm turf. War Like Goddess held third, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of dual English classic winner Love in fourth.
A full-sister to G1 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel, five-year-old Loves Only You is set to return to Hong Kong for the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting Dec. 12, where connections have accepted an invitation for the $3.85-million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.
Nine times champion sire in Japan, Deep Impact has had another fantastic posthumous year, with his other flagbearers including triple Oaks winner Snowfall and G1 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes king Profondo.
His G1 winning son Danon Platina, Japan’s Champion 2YO Colt of 2014, is set to have his first yearlings on sale in 2022.
