The legacy of champion Japanese stallion Deep Impact has reached every corner of the globe with this year’s Epsom Derby falling to his exceptional son Auguste Rodin, who runs in the Group I Breeder’s Cup Turf at Santa Anita this weekend, but closer to home there is only one way to access his bloodline this spring in Australia and that’s through his triple Group I winner Fierce Impact (Jpn).
Retired to Leneva Park in Victoria in 2021, Fierce Impact did not lack for company in his first season at stud and has over 100 yearlings with many being prepared for major sales in 2024.
“What stands out with Fierce Impact is the consistency of quality across the board. You can pick his foals out a mile away, athletic well put together foals with natural strength, good bone, lovely heads, and easy going temperaments. There are lots of return breeders on the books and you can see why when you get around his foals,” Mick Sharkie, General Manager Leneva Park.
Fierce Impact is expected to have good representation at Magic Millions in January, Melbourne Premier, Inglis Classic, Karaka and Adelaide Magic Millions.
His former trainer Matthew Smith has sent a number of mares to Fierce Impact and is liking what he is seeing.
“Fierce Impact was an outstanding racehorse and a quality individual I couldn’t be happier with the foals that I have on the ground by the stallion. I will strengthen my support this season and have recommended my clients do the same,” he said.
A small number of weanlings by Fierce Impact were offered at sales earlier this year with Golden Grove achieving an outstanding result with their filly from stakes-winner Brilliant Bisc that sold for $105,000 at Riverside Stables to Simon Miller Racing.
“She was strong and athletic type with a huge girth and a powerful hindquarter. She is the epitome of a cracking type,” said Miller, who is renowned for producing slick juveniles in Perth where he trains.
Glowing reports on his first foals resulted in Fierce Impact covering an increased book in his second season and those foals arriving this spring include the half-sister to outstanding three year-old Steparty.
The Paul Preusker trained colt won his first five starts in a row before finishing third in the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas and after being freshened he runs this Saturday in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
“The filly from Watch Your Step is an absolute standout. She has presence and quality, great girth, good hip and a fantastic shape. She is simply outstanding,” said Gary O’Meara of Miranda Park.
As we move into November, fertility is so important for broodmare owners and Fierce Impact has that covered in spades.
“In his first two seasons at stud Fierce Impact has been Mr Reliable, with fertility percentage north of 85%, and he has carried on this season with fertility in the 90% range as scans filter through from breeders,” said Mick Sharkie.
“We’re blessed to have a horse as potent as Fierce Impact. He’s got the race record and the pedigree behind him, but when it comes to getting mares in foal he is elite. Last season we had quite a few mares come through in late October and November that had missed elsewhere, they came to Fierce and he got the job done. He’s just so reliable and breeders see the value in that.”
Fierce Impact has covered nearly 300 mares in his first two seasons and is priced at $16,500.
