.gif)
Delta Blues (horse)
Encyclopedia
Delta Blues is a Japan
ese Thoroughbred
racehorse
best known for winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup
. He was the first Japanese horse to win the Cup. In doing so he defeated Pop Rock
, another Japanese horse, also trained by Katsuhiko Sumii
.
. He defeated Heart's Cry and Cosmo Bulk then. Delta Blues placed third in the Japan Cup
in November 2004.
Other runs by Delta Blues include wins in the Domestic Grade One Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in October 2004, the Domestic Grade Two Stayers Stakes in December 2005, a third in the Grade Two Hanshin Daishoten on 19 March 2006 fifth in the Arima Kinen
, and 10th in the Domestic Grade One Tenno Sho
(Spring) on 30 April 30.
Delta Blues won the Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire JRA award in 2004.
after racing wide throughout the race.
In the 2006 Melbourne Cup
, Delta Blues was ridden by Japanese jockey Yasunari Iwata
who was the winner of the 2005 19th World Super Jockey Series. Delta Blues won the Melbourne Cup by a nose ahead of Pop Rock
, with Maybe Better
finishing in third place. Iwata Prior to the race, stable spokesman Keita Tanaka characterised Delta Blues as a "lazy horse", and trainer Sumii characterised him as "tough".
Dance in the Dark won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), and was the son of "magnificent US-bred Sunday Silence
, the ill-fated sire who has been unmatched in Japanese breeding history".
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
best known for winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup
2006 Melbourne Cup
The 2006 Melbourne Cup was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.The winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup was Delta Blues, ridden by Yasunari Iwata, which won by a nose ahead of Pop Rock, with Maybe Better coming in third place....
. He was the first Japanese horse to win the Cup. In doing so he defeated Pop Rock
Pop Rock (horse)
is a Japanese racehorse trained by Katsuhiko Sumii. Pop Rock is best known for having placed second in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Damien Oliver. It was Damien Oliver's 17th time racing in the Melbourne Cup....
, another Japanese horse, also trained by Katsuhiko Sumii
Katsuhiko Sumii
is a Japanese horse trainer.He trained the first and second placing horses in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues and Pop Rock.- Famous Horses :* Delta Blues - Won Melbourne Cup , Kikuka Sho (born March 28, 1964, Kanazawa, Ishikawa) is a Japanese horse trainer.He trained the first and second...
.
Racing career
Delta Blues was virtually unknown until he had his victory in the 2004 Kikuka ShoKikuka Sho
The is a Japanese Domestic Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 3,000 metres at the Kyoto Racecourse, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture in October....
. He defeated Heart's Cry and Cosmo Bulk then. Delta Blues placed third in the Japan Cup
Japan Cup
The is the most prestigious horse race run in Japan. It is contested at the end of November at Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Tokyo at a distance of 2400 meters over the grass. With a purse of ¥476 million , the Japan Cup is one of the richest races in the world.The Japan Cup is an invitational event...
in November 2004.
Other runs by Delta Blues include wins in the Domestic Grade One Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) in October 2004, the Domestic Grade Two Stayers Stakes in December 2005, a third in the Grade Two Hanshin Daishoten on 19 March 2006 fifth in the Arima Kinen
Arima Kinen
The Arima Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan open to Thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,500 metres at Nakayama Racecourse, and it takes place annually in late December...
, and 10th in the Domestic Grade One Tenno Sho
Tenno Sho
The Tennō Shō is a horse race held twice a year in Japan, once in the spring and once in the autumn. "Tenno" means "Emperor of Japan". The races are both International Grade I races. Prior to the 2007 races, both Tenno Sho races were Japanese domestic Grade I races.-Spring:The Spring Tenno Sho...
(Spring) on 30 April 30.
Delta Blues won the Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire JRA award in 2004.
2006 in Australia
Taken to Australia Delta Blues finished third in the 2006 Caulfield CupCaulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup, one of Australia's richest Thoroughbred horse races and the richest of its type in the world is held annually by the Melbourne Racing Club. The race is a handicap like the Melbourne Cup, which means that horses that compete in the Caulfield Cup are capable of running on the...
after racing wide throughout the race.
In the 2006 Melbourne Cup
2006 Melbourne Cup
The 2006 Melbourne Cup was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.The winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup was Delta Blues, ridden by Yasunari Iwata, which won by a nose ahead of Pop Rock, with Maybe Better coming in third place....
, Delta Blues was ridden by Japanese jockey Yasunari Iwata
Yasunari Iwata
is a Japanese jockey who rode the winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup, Delta Blues. It was Iwata's first race outside of Japan.In 2005, Iwata won the 19th World Super Jockey Series .-Major wins: Australia...
who was the winner of the 2005 19th World Super Jockey Series. Delta Blues won the Melbourne Cup by a nose ahead of Pop Rock
Pop Rock (horse)
is a Japanese racehorse trained by Katsuhiko Sumii. Pop Rock is best known for having placed second in the 2006 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Damien Oliver. It was Damien Oliver's 17th time racing in the Melbourne Cup....
, with Maybe Better
Maybe Better
Maybe Better is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2006 Group 3 Saab Quality and finished 3rd in the 2006 Melbourne Cup when ridden by Chris Munce. Maybe Better started in 29 races for 6 wins, 3 2nds and 2 3rds, with earnings of A$959,600....
finishing in third place. Iwata Prior to the race, stable spokesman Keita Tanaka characterised Delta Blues as a "lazy horse", and trainer Sumii characterised him as "tough".
Achievements
- Winner of the 2004 Kikuka ShoKikuka ShoThe is a Japanese Domestic Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 3,000 metres at the Kyoto Racecourse, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture in October....
(JPN Domestic GI, Japanese St. LegerSt. Leger StakesThe St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
) - Winner of the 2004 Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire JRA award.
- Winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup2006 Melbourne CupThe 2006 Melbourne Cup was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, in Melbourne, Australia.The winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup was Delta Blues, ridden by Yasunari Iwata, which won by a nose ahead of Pop Rock, with Maybe Better coming in third place....
- Winner of the 2006-2007 Australian Champion StayerAustralian Champion StayerThe Australian Champion Stayer is awarded annually to the Thoroughbred horse whose performances in Australia over distances of 2,200 metres and greater are deemed to be the superior to its rivals....
Breeding
Delta Blues was sired by Dance in the Dark with the dam Dixie Splash (sire Dixieland Band). The breeder was Northern Farm.Dance in the Dark won the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), and was the son of "magnificent US-bred Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence
Sunday Silence was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in...
, the ill-fated sire who has been unmatched in Japanese breeding history".
External links
- ABC News - Photo gallery of Delta Blues winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup