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Deep Impact's Shahryar Edges Efforia in Japanese Derby

Mark Smith - Sunday May 30

The winning run of Efforia (JPN) has come to an end after he was nosed out by Shahryar (JPN) in a pulsating finish to the Tokyo Yushun (2400m) (Japanese Derby) at Tokyo racecourse on Sunday.

Sent off the short-priced favourite following four consecutive wins highlighted by his last start triumph in the Group 1 Satsuki Sho (2000m), Efforia was given every chance Takeshi Yokoyama. But the strapping son of Epiphaneia failed by inches to hold off the onrushing Shahryar.

Ridden by Yuichi Fukunaga for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, Deep Impact colt Shahryar nosed out Efforia in the final stride with Stella Veloce (Bago) one and a quarter lengths back in third.

The winner of a Newcomers race over 1800m at Kyoto at his only start at two, Shahryar opened his classic season with a third behind Efforia in the Group III Kyodo Tsushin Hai (1600m) at Tokyo in February. He prepped for the derby by defeating the talented Great Magician (Deep Impact) in course record time in the Group III The Mainichi Ha (1800m) at Hanshin on March 27.

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Shahryar becomes the seventh Japanese Derby winner for the 2005 hero Deep Impact and the fourth in succession after Wagnerian (2018), Roger Barows (2019) and Contrail last year.

Shahryar is a brother to the Group 1 Satsuki Sho and Group 1 Osaka Hai winner Al Ain who was slated to sahuttle to Chatswood Stud in 2020 before the pin was pulled due to Covid.

Their dam, Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai), was the Champion Female Sprinter in USA in 2010. Her 12 wins were highlighted by the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

She was bought for $1.1 million at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Select Breeding Stock Sale, with Shunsuke Yoshida signing the ticket for his father, Katsumi Yoshida, who owns Northern Farm in Japan.

Dubai Majesty has a 2yo colt by Heart’s Cry (JPN).

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