Sunday Silence
Encyclopedia
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 fact a true black. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
, Sunday Silence is ranked #31. Sunday Silence was retired to Japan
, where his success as a leading sire
was confined mainly to Asia.
bought him as a "buy-back" (he had bred him), hoping to ship him to Kentucky. However, an accident kept Sunday Silence in California. Hall of Fame inducted trainer Charlie Whittingham
bought a half share of the colt and then sold half of that to Dr. Ernest Gaillard. (Ownership designate: H-G-W Partners
)
and the Santa Anita Derby
to allow him to qualify for a slot at the Kentucky Derby
.
, a rivalry developed between the West-Coast Sunday Silence and American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer
, an East-Coast Thoroughbred with superior breeding. Easy Goer
was also the media darling and favorite of the East-Coast dominated sports media, who picked him ahead of Sunday Silence in each race of the Triple Crown. In the Kentucky Derby
, the first leg of the Triple Crown, Sunday Silence and jockey Pat Valenzuela
won by 2½ lengths from Easy Goer, who was said to have had a tough time running on the muddy track that day, according to his trainer Shug McGaughey.
The media widely accepted the excuse by his trainer, and again picked "Big Red" to win the Preakness Stakes
. However, Sunday Silence again prevailed, this time by a nose, over Easy Goer. This race has been proclaimed by many experts to be the "Race of the Half Century." Some Easy Goer loyalists in the media maintained their horse's superiority, attributing the loss to the fact that Easy Goer had dwelt at the start and his jockey Pat Day
reined Easy Goer's head to the right when he had a short lead in the home stretch. In the Belmont Stakes
, known as the "Test of the Champion", the final and longest race of the Triple Crown at 1½ miles, Sunday Silence was the betting favorite with Easy Goer the underdog. Easy Goer won and defeated Sunday Silence by eight lengths in the second fastest Belmont Stakes in history, behind only Secretariat
, and denied Sunday Silence the elusive Triple Crown. In the process, Easy Goer seemed to vindicate his reputation as the reigning champion two year-old. By virtue of his two Classic wins and his runner-up performance, Sunday Silence was awarded the third $1,000,000 Visa Triple Crown Bonus for best three-year-old in the series.
After the Belmont Stakes, Sunday Silence finished second to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf
winner Prized in the Grade II Swaps Stakes
on July 23, and won the Super Derby
on September 24. Easy Goer came into the Classic with 5 consecutive Grade I wins, consisting of the Belmont Stakes, Whitney Handicap
, Travers Stakes
, Woodward Stakes
and Jockey Club Gold Cup
, with three of those wins against older horses. Easy Goer's final race before the Classic was the 1½ miles Jockey Club Gold Cup at a longer distance than the 1¼ miles of the Classic. This set up one final face-off between Easy Goer and Sunday Silence at the season-ending $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic
at Gulfstream Park
, run on November 4. The contest was dubbed the "Race of the Decade" and many believed would decide the winner of the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
award. Sunday Silence's jockey Pat Valenzuela
had earlier been suspended for cocaine use and was replaced by veteran Chris McCarron
. Sunday Silence started as the 2/1 second choice behind Easy Goer at 1/2. Sunday Silence overtook Blushing John at the top of the stretch and pulled ahead by a length. Easy Goer made one last late surge, but Sunday Silence prevailed by a neck.
At this point, Sunday Silence had won seven times in nine starts for the 1989 campaign, earning him Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
and Horse of the Year honors. In 1996, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
.
At the age of four, Sunday Silence won the Californian and placed second in the Hollywood Gold Cup
. He suffered an injured ligament that eventually led to his retirement. Out of 14 career races, he never finished worse than second. He won nine of his races and placed second in the other five.
ese breeder Zenya Yoshida to stand at his Shadai Stallion Station
in Shiraoi, Hokkaido
. Yoshida had acquired a 25% interest in Sunday Silence early in his 4-year-old season and bought out the other partners for an undisclosed amount.
Sunday Silence flourished in Japan and became their leading sire
in the last decade of his life, taking over from perennial leading sire in Japan Northern Taste
(10 time leading sire in Japan), and topping their sire list from 1995 through 2007. His progeny have won many races, mainly in Asia, including the Japan Cup
and the Hong Kong Vase
.
80 billion (approximately $800 million.)
Some of his more notable progeny includes:
_20051023_3.jpg)
Other descendants
, suffering a fatal heart attack. In May, infection in his right leg brought on laminitis in his left leg. His owners had been discussing whether to euthanize him or not for days. On the day of his death, he lay down in his stall, could not get up, and eventually died of heart failure.
Sunday Silence was buried at Shadai Stallion Station.
, Sunday Silence is one of the sires available to breed in the game. He is also pictured on one of the official game cards.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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, earning distinction as 1989 American Horse of the Year over American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer
Easy Goer
Easy Goer was an American Champion Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse, famous for earning American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors in 1988, and defeating 1989 American Horse of the Year Sunday Silence in the Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths. The victory deprived Sunday Silence of the Triple Crown...
. He was foaled in 1986, sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown
Seal brown (horse)
Seal brown is a hair coat color of horses characterized by a near-black body color; with black points, the mane, tail and legs; but also reddish or tan areas around the eyes, muzzle, behind the elbow and in front of the stifle...
, he was in fact a true black. In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
In 1999, a panel for The Blood-Horse magazine was made up of distinguished horse racing people: Howard Battle, Lenny Hale, Jay Hovdey, William Nack, Pete Pedersen, Jennie Rees and Tommy Trotter. These experts compiled a list of what they considered to be the top 100 United States thoroughbred...
, Sunday Silence is ranked #31. Sunday Silence was retired to Japan
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...
, where his success as a leading sire
Leading sire in Japan
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of racehorses in Japan for each year since 1924. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the season.-----References:* -See also:* Leading sire in Australia...
was confined mainly to Asia.
Early years
Sunday Silence was bred by Oak Cliff Thoroughbreds, Ltd. He was passed in twice at the sales ring as a yearling, before he was finally sold in California for $50,000 as a two-year-old in training. Arthur B. Hancock IIIArthur B. Hancock III
Arthur Boyd Hancock III is an American owner of Thoroughbred racehorses, the owner of Stone Farm, a 2,000 acre horse breeding operation in Paris, Kentucky, and a composer of Bluegrass music....
bought him as a "buy-back" (he had bred him), hoping to ship him to Kentucky. However, an accident kept Sunday Silence in California. Hall of Fame inducted trainer Charlie Whittingham
Charlie Whittingham
Charles Edward Whittingham was an American thoroughbred race horse trainer who is one of the most acclaimed trainers in U.S. racing history....
bought a half share of the colt and then sold half of that to Dr. Ernest Gaillard. (Ownership designate: H-G-W Partners
H-G-W Partners
H-G-W Partners represents the names of the three American partners who owned the Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse, Sunday Silence . Their colt won of a number of important American Graded stakes races including the 1989 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Breeders' Cup Classic.The three...
)
Racing record
Although he showed ability, he didn't make it to the races until late in his two-year-old season, winning a maiden special weight race and finishing second in an allowance race from three starts. In his third year, he managed to get an allowance win. In the Race to the Roses, Sunday Silence won the San Felipe StakesSan Felipe Stakes
The San Felipe Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The San Felipe is a Grade II event open to three-year-old horses. Normally held in mid-March, it is raced at a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on dirt and currently...
and the Santa Anita Derby
Santa Anita Derby
The Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
to allow him to qualify for a slot at the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
.
1989 U.S. Triple Crown
In the build up to the 1989 Triple CrownTriple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
, a rivalry developed between the West-Coast Sunday Silence and American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse Easy Goer
Easy Goer
Easy Goer was an American Champion Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse, famous for earning American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors in 1988, and defeating 1989 American Horse of the Year Sunday Silence in the Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths. The victory deprived Sunday Silence of the Triple Crown...
, an East-Coast Thoroughbred with superior breeding. Easy Goer
Easy Goer
Easy Goer was an American Champion Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse, famous for earning American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors in 1988, and defeating 1989 American Horse of the Year Sunday Silence in the Belmont Stakes by 8 lengths. The victory deprived Sunday Silence of the Triple Crown...
was also the media darling and favorite of the East-Coast dominated sports media, who picked him ahead of Sunday Silence in each race of the Triple Crown. In the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, the first leg of the Triple Crown, Sunday Silence and jockey Pat Valenzuela
Pat Valenzuela
Patrick Angel Valenzuela is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born into a racing family, his father plus three of his uncles, including Ismael Valenzuela, were jockeys. He rode his first career winner on November 10, 1978, at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico...
won by 2½ lengths from Easy Goer, who was said to have had a tough time running on the muddy track that day, according to his trainer Shug McGaughey.
The media widely accepted the excuse by his trainer, and again picked "Big Red" to win the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. However, Sunday Silence again prevailed, this time by a nose, over Easy Goer. This race has been proclaimed by many experts to be the "Race of the Half Century." Some Easy Goer loyalists in the media maintained their horse's superiority, attributing the loss to the fact that Easy Goer had dwelt at the start and his jockey Pat Day
Pat Day
Patrick Alan "Pat" Day is an American jockey. He is a four-time winner of the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1991...
reined Easy Goer's head to the right when he had a short lead in the home stretch. In the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
, known as the "Test of the Champion", the final and longest race of the Triple Crown at 1½ miles, Sunday Silence was the betting favorite with Easy Goer the underdog. Easy Goer won and defeated Sunday Silence by eight lengths in the second fastest Belmont Stakes in history, behind only Secretariat
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
, and denied Sunday Silence the elusive Triple Crown. In the process, Easy Goer seemed to vindicate his reputation as the reigning champion two year-old. By virtue of his two Classic wins and his runner-up performance, Sunday Silence was awarded the third $1,000,000 Visa Triple Crown Bonus for best three-year-old in the series.
After the Belmont Stakes, Sunday Silence finished second to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
winner Prized in the Grade II Swaps Stakes
Swaps Stakes
The Swaps Stakes is a race for Thoroughbred horses run annually at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. The race is open to three-year-old horses willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it carries a purse of $350,000.Run in mid July, this race is...
on July 23, and won the Super Derby
Super Derby
The Super Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in September at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, Louisiana.Inaugurated in 1980, the Super Derby is open to 3-year-olds and the distance is 1 1/8 miles on the dirt. A Grade II event, it's the richest race held at Louisiana Downs...
on September 24. Easy Goer came into the Classic with 5 consecutive Grade I wins, consisting of the Belmont Stakes, Whitney Handicap
Whitney Handicap
The Whitney Handicap is an American Grade 1 handicap race for Thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and older run at a distance of 1⅛ miles. In 2007, the Breeders' Cup Ltd...
, Travers Stakes
Travers Stakes
The Travers Stakes is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.First held in 1864, it was named for William R. Travers, the president of the old Saratoga Racing Association. His horse, Kentucky, won the first running of the Travers...
, Woodward Stakes
Woodward Stakes
The Woodward Stakes is an American Grade I stakes race and is one of the premier races for older thoroughbred horses in the United States. Named for prominent racehorse owner, George Nicholas Woodward, it is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt for a purse of $750,000.The Woodward was run as a handicap in...
and Jockey Club Gold Cup
Jockey Club Gold Cup
The Jockey Club Gold Cup, established in 1919, is a prestigious thoroughbred flat race open to horses of either gender three-years-old and up. It is typically the main event of the fall meeting at Belmont Park, just as the Belmont Stakes is of the spring meeting and the Travers Stakes is of the...
, with three of those wins against older horses. Easy Goer's final race before the Classic was the 1½ miles Jockey Club Gold Cup at a longer distance than the 1¼ miles of the Classic. This set up one final face-off between Easy Goer and Sunday Silence at the season-ending $3 million Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
at Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park
Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino is a racetrack and county-approved racino in Hallandale Beach, Florida, in the United States. During its annual meet, which spans December through April, it is one of the most important venues for horse racing in America....
, run on November 4. The contest was dubbed the "Race of the Decade" and many believed would decide the winner of the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year
The American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding....
award. Sunday Silence's jockey Pat Valenzuela
Pat Valenzuela
Patrick Angel Valenzuela is an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. Born into a racing family, his father plus three of his uncles, including Ismael Valenzuela, were jockeys. He rode his first career winner on November 10, 1978, at Sunland Park Racetrack in Sunland Park, New Mexico...
had earlier been suspended for cocaine use and was replaced by veteran Chris McCarron
Chris McCarron
Christopher John "Chris" McCarron is a retired American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey. He is currently working as a racing analyst for TVG Network....
. Sunday Silence started as the 2/1 second choice behind Easy Goer at 1/2. Sunday Silence overtook Blushing John at the top of the stretch and pulled ahead by a length. Easy Goer made one last late surge, but Sunday Silence prevailed by a neck.
At this point, Sunday Silence had won seven times in nine starts for the 1989 campaign, earning him Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse
The American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971....
and Horse of the Year honors. In 1996, he was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
.
At the age of four, Sunday Silence won the Californian and placed second in the Hollywood Gold Cup
Hollywood Gold Cup
The Hollywood Gold Cup is an American Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred horses inaugurated in 1938 at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California. It was run as a handicap race until 1997 when it was switched to weight-for-age conditions...
. He suffered an injured ligament that eventually led to his retirement. Out of 14 career races, he never finished worse than second. He won nine of his races and placed second in the other five.
Stud record
After being ignored by most American breeders, Sunday Silence was eventually sold to JapanJapan
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 breeder Zenya Yoshida to stand at his Shadai Stallion Station
Shadai Stallion Station
is a thoroughbred breeding facility located in Abira on the island of Hokkaido in Japan. The farm was begun in the late 1970s, early 1980s by the late Zenya Yoshida and is now run jointly by his sons , known collectively as the Shadai Group. As of 2006, the brothers own 3,000 horses worldwide...
in Shiraoi, Hokkaido
Shiraoi, Hokkaido
is a town located in Shiraoi District, Iburi, Hokkaidō, Japan. As of 31 May 2008, the town had a population of 20,371 The town was established in 1867 by the feudal lords of Sendai. Most of the area of the town is forested and parts lie within the Shikotsu-Tōya National Park.-History:Shiraoi like...
. Yoshida had acquired a 25% interest in Sunday Silence early in his 4-year-old season and bought out the other partners for an undisclosed amount.
Sunday Silence flourished in Japan and became their leading sire
Leading sire in Japan
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of racehorses in Japan for each year since 1924. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the season.-----References:* -See also:* Leading sire in Australia...
in the last decade of his life, taking over from perennial leading sire in Japan Northern Taste
Northern Taste
Northern Taste was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who raced in France and who became a legendary sire in Japan. Bred by E. P. Taylor at his Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, Northern Taste was out of the mare Lady Victoria, a daughter of Canadian Hall of Fame inductee, Victoria Park. ...
(10 time leading sire in Japan), and topping their sire list from 1995 through 2007. His progeny have won many races, mainly in Asia, including 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...
and the Hong Kong Vase
Hong Kong Vase
The Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
.
Progeny
Descendants of Sunday Silence break earnings records, mainly in Asia. Conservative estimates on total winnings made by Sunday Silence descendents place the total near JPYJapanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
80 billion (approximately $800 million.)
Some of his more notable progeny includes:
- Admire Vega (1996), won 1999 Tokyo YūshunTokyo YushunThe , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby) (JPN Domestic G1). - Agnes FlightAgnes FlightAgnes Flight was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by Sunday Silence covering Agnes Flora, and is therefore full-brother to Agnes Tachyon....
(1997), won 2000 Tokyo YūshunTokyo YushunThe , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby) (JPN Domestic G1). - Agnes TachyonAgnes TachyonAgnes Tachyon was an undefeated Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Japan....
(1998), a full brother to Agnes Flight, undefeated winner of the Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
(Japanese 2000 Guineas) (JPN Domestic G1), sired Daiwa ScarletDaiwa Scarletis a Japanese racehorse which won the 2007 Oka Sho, Shūka Sho, Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup and the 2008 Arima Kinen....
(a half sister of Daiwa Major) and Deep Sky, became 2008 leading sire in Japan. - Air Shakur (1997), won 2000 Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
(Japanese 2000 Guineas) (JPN Domestic G1), 2000 Kikuka ShōKikuka 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....
(Japanese St. Leger) (JPN Domestic G1) and fifth in 2000 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). - Daiwa Major (2001), won 2006 & 2007 Mile ChampionshipMile ChampionshipThe Mile Championship is an International Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November...
(G1), 2007 Yasuda KinenYasuda KinenThe Yasuda Kinen is a Japanese International Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held at the Tokyo Racecourse in Tokyo. Raced annually each June, the Yasuda Kinen is run at a distance of eight furlongs on turf and is open to horses three years of age and up...
(G1), 2004 Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
(JPN Domestic G1), and 2006 Tenno ShoTenno ShoThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1). - Dance in the Dark (1993), won 1996 Kikuka ShōKikuka 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....
(Japanese St. Leger) (JPN Domestic G1), sired Delta BluesDelta Blues (horse)Delta Blues is a Japanese 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....
, won 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....
. - Dance in the Mood (2001), a full sister of Dance in the Dark, first Japanese racehorse of Sunday Silence descent to run in the American OaksAmerican OaksThe American Oaks Invitational Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early July at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California...
(US-G1), but lost to English filly Ticker Tape by a length in 2004. Previously, she had won the Oka ShoOka ShoThe is a Japanese Domestic Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 1,600 metres at the Hanshin Racecourse, Takarazuka, Hyōgo in April....
(Japanese 1000 Guineas) (JPN Domestic G1), but lost in the Yushun HimbaYushun HimbaThe , also known as the is a Japanese domestic Grade 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in May....
(Japanese Oaks) (JPN Domestic G1). - Dance Partner (1992), a full sister of Dance in the Dark, winner of 1995 Yushun Himba (JPN Domestic G1) and 1996 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative CupQueen Elizabeth II Commemorative CupThe Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup is an International Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbred fillies and mares run over a distance of 2,200 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November.The race was first run in 1976 over a distance of 2,400 metres...
(JPN Domestic G1), second in 1995 Prix de la NonettePrix de la NonetteThe Prix de la Nonette is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
(G3) and sixth in Prix VermeillePrix VermeilleThe Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1897, and it...
(G1).
- Deep Impact (M) (2002), winner of the 2005 Japanese Triple Crown, 2006 Japan CupJapan CupThe 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...
(JPN-G1), 2006 Arima KinenArima KinenThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1), 2006 Takarazuka KinenTakarazuka KinenThe Takarazuka Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,200 metres at Hanshin Racecourse in late June...
(JPN Domestic G1) and 2006 Tenno Sho (Spring)Tenno ShoThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1). Also ran third in the Prix de l'Arc de TriomphePrix de l'Arc de TriompheThe Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
in France, before being disqualified to last place for a positive drug test. - Durandal (1999), won 2003 & 2004 Mile ChampionshipMile ChampionshipThe Mile Championship is an International Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November...
(G1) and 2003 Sprinters StakesSprinters StakesThe is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan open to thoroughbreds which are three-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 1,200 metres at Nakayama Racecourse, and it takes place annually in late September or early October....
(G1). - Fuji Kiseki (1992), won 1994 Asahi Hai 3 sai StakesAsahi Hai Futurity StakesThe Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes is a one mile turf stakes race for thoroughbred colts two years olds. It is considered the de facto year-end championship for Japanese thoroughbred racing in the two-year-olds division.- Winners :*2010 - Grand Prix Boss...
and sired Kane HekiliKane HekiliKane Hekili is a Thoroughbred racehorse named after "The Thunder God" in Polynesian mythology. In 2005 and 2006 he won four Grade 1 races on dirt in Japan and finished fourth to Electrocutionist in the 2006 Dubai World Cup....
(won 2005 & 2008 Japan Cup DirtJapan Cup DirtThe Japan Cup Dirt is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800 meters The Japan Cup Dirt (JPN G-1) is a race usually run a week after the Japan Cup.- Race Information :* Racecourse: Hanshin Racecourse* Distance: 1,800...
), Sun Classique (won 2008 Dubai Sheema ClassicDubai Sheema ClassicThe Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
). - Genuine (1992), won 1995 Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
(Japanese 2000 Guineas) (JPN Domestic G1) and 1996 Mile ChampionshipMile ChampionshipThe Mile Championship is an International Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November...
(G1). - Hat Trick (2001), won 2005 Mile ChampionshipMile ChampionshipThe Mile Championship is an International Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 1,600 metres on the turf at Kyoto Racecourse in November...
(G1) and 2005 Hong Kong MileHong Kong MileThe Hong Kong Mile is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
(G1). - Heart's Cry (2001), winner of the Dubai Sheema ClassicDubai Sheema ClassicThe Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
(UAE-G1) and Arima KinenArima KinenThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1), and only horse to ever beat Deep Impact in Japan. - Manhattan Cafe (1998), won 2001 Kikuka ShōKikuka 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....
(Japanese St. Leger) (JPN Domestic G1), 2001 Arima KinenArima KinenThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1) and 2002 Tenno Sho (Spring)Tenno ShoThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1), became 2009 leading sire in Japan. - Neo Universe (2000), won 2003 Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
(JPN Domestic G1), 2003 Tokyo YūshunTokyo YushunThe , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby) (JPN Domestic G1), sired Unrivaled, Logi Universe and Victoire Pisa (won 2010 Satsuki ShōSatsuki 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 2,000 metres at the Nakayama Racecourse, Funabashi, Chiba, in April....
, 2010 Arima KinenArima KinenThe 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 2011 Dubai World CupDubai World CupThe Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
). - Silence SuzukaSilence SuzukaSilence Suzuka Silence Suzuka Silence Suzuka (Japanese : サイレンススズカ, (March 1, 1994 - November 1, 1998) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Grade I Takarazuka Kinen in 1998.-External links:* *...
(1994–1998), won six consecutive races in 1998, including the Takarazuka KinenTakarazuka KinenThe Takarazuka Kinen is a Grade I flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2,200 metres at Hanshin Racecourse in late June...
(JPN Domestic G1:then). Injured in the Tenno ShoTenno ShoThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1), requiring euthanasia. - Sixth Sense (2002), winner of $2.5 million, won G2 Kyoto Kinen, second in Hong Kong vase, Sha Tin, G1, Satsuki Shō (2000 Guineas), Nakayama G1.
- Special Week (1995), won 1998 Tokyo YūshunTokyo YushunThe , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby) (JPN Domestic G1), 1999 Japan CupJapan CupThe 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...
(G1) and Tenno Sho (Spring and Autumn)Tenno ShoThe 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...
(JPN Domestic G1), retired in 1999 with lifetime winnings of $9,346,435, sired Buena Vista and Cesario (won Yushun Himba and American OaksAmerican OaksThe American Oaks Invitational Stakes is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually in early July at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California...
). - Stay GoldStay Gold (horse)Stay Gold（, Mar 24, 1994 - ）is a retired Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. He was sired by Sunday Silence out of the mare Golden Sash by Dictus.- Early years :...
(1994), earned $8,682,142 in his lifetime, won the Hong Kong VaseHong Kong VaseThe Hong Kong Vase is a Group 1 flat horse race in Hong Kong which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres at Sha Tin, and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid December....
(HK-G1) at Sha Tin racecourse and the Dubai Sheema ClassicDubai Sheema ClassicThe Dubai Sheema Classic is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Arab Emirates open to thoroughbreds which are four-years-old or above. It is run over a distance of 2,400 metres on the turf track at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, and it takes place annually during the Dubai World Cup Night in...
(UAE-G2:then) at Nad Sheba in 2001, sired Orfevre (winner of the 2011 Japanese Triple Crown), Dream Journey, and Nakayama Festa. - Still in Love (2000), winner of the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown.
- Tayasu Tsuyoshi (1992), won 1995 Tokyo YushunTokyo YushunThe , also called as the is a Grade 1 flat horse race in Japan for three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies run over a distance of 2,400 metres at the Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchū, Tokyo in late May or early June....
(Japanese Derby) (JPN Domestic G1), with lifetime total Earnings over $3,325,000 USD. - To the Victory (1996), a $5,303,281-earning mare that finished second in the 2001 Dubai World CupDubai World CupThe Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1996 and from 2010 at the Meydan Racecourse in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates...
(UAE-G1). - Zenno Rob Roy (2000), won three Domestic G1 races including the Japan CupJapan CupThe 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...
, named Horse of the Year for 2004 and champion older male by the Japan Racing Association, and earned $8,994,210 in two years.
Other descendants
- Natagora (2005), a daughter of Divine Light, who won the 2008 1,000 Guineas Stakes and 2007 Cheveley Park StakesCheveley Park StakesThe Cheveley Park Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The event was...
, and was honored as 2007 European Champion Two-Year-Old Filly.
Death
In August 2002, Sunday Silence finally lost his battle with laminitisLaminitis
Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates. It is best known in horses and cattle. Symptoms include lameness, and increased temperature in the hooves...
, suffering a fatal heart attack. In May, infection in his right leg brought on laminitis in his left leg. His owners had been discussing whether to euthanize him or not for days. On the day of his death, he lay down in his stall, could not get up, and eventually died of heart failure.
Sunday Silence was buried at Shadai Stallion Station.
Tabulated pedigree
Pop culture
In the horse racing game Derby Owners ClubDerby Owners Club
Derby Owners Club is a horse racing simulation arcade game made by Sega-AM3. The format of the game is a player uses one of several consoles at the arcade to train horses, and then races them against 11 other computer AI horses or any number of other players on tracks and G-1...
, Sunday Silence is one of the sires available to breed in the game. He is also pictured on one of the official game cards.