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Deep Impact, one of the world's greatest sires, has died in Japan at the age of 17.
A son of the revered champion Sunday Silence, Deep Impact was a Japanese Triple Crown winner who became one of the world's most influential stallions standing at Japan's Shadai Stallion Station.
Shadai issued a statement revealing that Deep Impact underwent surgery on his spine on Sunday.
He was reported to be in a stable condition after the surgery but was unable to stand on Monday morning. Subsequent x-rays indicated a cervical spine fracture.
Bred by Northern Farm, Deep Impact was purchased by Makoto Kaneko for 73.5 million yen at the 2002 JHRA Select Foal Sale.
He was unbeaten in his first seven starts at two and three including wins in the three legs of Japan's Triple Crown in 2005 – the Satsuki Sho (2000m), Tokyo Yushun (2400m) and Kikuka Sho (3000m).
Beaten only once in Japan, he also won the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring) and G1 Takarazuka Kinen in 2006 before he was sent to France to contest G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamp where he finished third before being disqualified for testing positive to a banned substance.
He returned home to win the G1 Japan Cup and his final start in the G1 Arima Kinen, retiring to Shadai with 12 wins from 13 starts and earnings of over $US12.8 million.
At stud Deep Impact became a phenomenon, siring 42 G1 winners worldwide including five Japan Derby winners, and 135 black type winners.
His sons or daughters have topped the JHRA Select Foal Sale each year since 2012 including a580 million yen ($US5.09 million) for one of his colts in 2016.
