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While the racing world was focused on Hong Kong on Sunday it was the result of a Group One race at Hanshin in Japan that will be far more significant for international breeding as it marked the first Group One success as a sire for wonder horse Frankel.

It has taken the best part of 2016 but Sunday’s win by Soul Stirring in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Championship puts the seal on a fine first season for Frankel’s progeny.

Frankel has sired 18 first crop winners across the northern hemisphere this year, adding the anticipation held for his progeny as three-year-olds when they are expected to be serious classic contenders.

His influence will also be felt in Australia next season, thanks to the foals produced by the mares he has covered to southern hemisphere time.

The unbeaten Soul Stirring is a classically-bred filly, being a daughter of French Oaks winner Stacelita. She is trained by Kazuo Fujisawa for the Shadai Race Horse Co Ltd and was ridden by Christophe Lemaire.

Stacelita was purchased privately by Shadai after a stellar career of six G1 wins in Europe and North America.

iHer first foal Southern Stars (Smart Strike) is now three and was a maiden winner in the UK in April for trainer John Gosden.

Lemaire was delighted with Soul Stirring's victory and believes the filly can emulate past Hanshin Juvenile Fillies winners such as the champions Vodka and Buena Vista by becoming a three-year-old classic winner.

"I'm ecstatic. It's so special because I used to ride her dam Stacelita and Soul Stirring is by that great horse Frankel." Lemaire said.

“She easily hit the front at the stretch and with her big strides and stamina I think she can go a little bit further in distance."