Legendary sire Deep Impact made his mark at Sha Tin with a Group I double on Sunday - Yoshito Yahagi's wonderful Deep Impact mare Loves Only You (JPN) heads into retirement with wins in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Longines Hong Kong Cup and her final two starts.
The world traveller led home a 1-2 for Japan in the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday when Yuga Kawada found a narrow seam between the Heart's Cry entire Hishi Iguazu (JPN) and Galileo x Atlantic Jewel gelding Russian Emperor (IRE).
The winner of the 2019 Japanese Oaks, Loves Only You defeated Hishi Iguazu (JPN) by a short-head with Russian Emperor (IRE) a further three-quarter of a length back in third in his best showing in Hong Kong.
"I’m really proud.She jumped well but the pace was a bit slow. She relaxed well and then I was able to get a good position," Kawada said.
“She’s given me two big presents.”
“She’s the best female horse I’ve ever ridden.
“I hope she will be a good mother.”
In February, the 5yo mare began the year with a win in the Group II Kyoto Kinen at Hanshin.
A mo
nth later, she was in Meydan finishing a close-up third behind Mishriff and fellow Japanese traveller Chrono Genesis in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Back on a plane, Loves Only You was next seen leading home a Japanese domination of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Sha Tin in April.
After a four-month break, she finished second to the snow-white Sodashi in the Group II Sapporo Kinen.
Bred by the Yoshida family's Northern Farm, Loves Only You was purchased at the JRHA Select Yearling Sale by DMM.com Co for 280m yen.
A sister to the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Real Steel and the stakes-winner Prodigal Son, Loves Only You is one of seven winners from eight to race out of the unraced Storm Cat mare Loves Only Me a half-sister to the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Rumplestiltskin (Danehill Dancer), dam of Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry.
The dam of Loves Only Me, Monevassia (Mr Prospector) is a sister to Kingmambo out of the incomparable Miesque.
The daughter of Deep Impact retires with a record of eight wins (four Group 1), two seconds and three thirds from 16 starts.
She was one of two Group I winners at the big Hong Kong meeting for Deep Impact, read about Glory Vase here.
