Delta Blues (デルタブルース, 3 May 2001 – 8 October 2024) was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup.[2] 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.
| Delta Blues | |
|---|---|
 Delta Blues | |
| Sire | Dance in the Dark (JPN) |
| Grandsire | Sunday Silence (USA) |
| Dam | Dixie Splash (USA) |
| Damsire | Dixieland Band |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 3 May 2001 |
| Died | 8 October 2024 (aged 23) |
| Country | Japan |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Northern Farm |
| Owner | Sunday Racing Co Ltd |
| Trainer | Katsuhiko Sumii |
| Record | 29: 6-2-3 |
| Earnings | 401,562,000 yen +A$3,300,000 = US$8,492,037.[1] |
| Major wins | |
| Kikuka Sho (2004) Stayers Stakes (2005) Melbourne Cup (2006) | |
| Awards | |
| JRA Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire (2004) Australian Champion Stayer (2006/07) | |
| Last updated on 1 August 2011 | |
Racing career
editDelta Blues was virtually unknown until he had his victory in the 2004 Kikuka Sho.[3] He defeated Heart's Cry and Cosmo Bulk then. Delta Blues placed third in the Japan Cup in November 2004.[4]
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.[4]
Delta Blues won the Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire JRA award in 2004.[5]
2006 in Australia
editTaken to Australia, Delta Blues finished third in the 2006 Caulfield Cup after racing wide throughout the race.[6]
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.[7][8] Delta Blues won the Melbourne Cup by a nose ahead of Pop Rock, with Maybe Better finishing in third place.[9][10] Prior to the race, stable spokesman Keita Tanaka characterised Delta Blues as a "lazy horse", and trainer Sumii characterised him as "tough".[4]
Achievements
edit- Winner of the 2004 Kikuka Sho (JPN Domestic GI, Japanese St. Leger)
- Winner of the 2004 Best Horse by Home-Bred Sire JRA award.[5]
- Winner of the 2006 Melbourne Cup
- Winner of the 2006–2007 Australian Champion Stayer
Breeding
editDelta Blues was sired by Dance in the Dark with the dam Dixie Splash (sire Dixieland Band). The breeder was Northern Farm.[3]
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".[11]
| Sire Dance in the Dark (JPN) B. 1993 |
Sunday Silence (USA) | Halo (USA) | Hail to Reason (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmah (USA) | |||
| Wishing Well (USA) | Understanding(USA) | ||
| Mountain Flower (USA) | |||
| Dancing Key (USA) | Nijinsky (CAN) | Northern Dancer (CAN) | |
| Flaming Page (CAN) | |||
| Key Partner (USA) | Key to the Mint (USA) | ||
| Native Partner (USA) | |||
| Dam Dixie Splash (USA) |
Dixieland Band (USA) | Northern Dancer (CAN) | Nearctic (CAN) |
| Natalma (USA) | |||
| Mississippi Mud (USA) | Delta Judge (USA) | ||
| Sand Buggy (USA) | |||
| Ocean Jewel (USA) | Alleged (USA) | Hoist The Flag (USA) | |
| Princess Pout (USA) | |||
| Lady Offshore (USA) | Sir Ivor (USA) | ||
| Bonnie Google (USA) |
Death
editDelta Blues died due to complications from laminitis at the Japanese thoroughbred retirement facility, Old Friends Japan, on 8 October 2024. He was 23.[12]
Namesake
editAustralian rail operator CFCL Australia named locomotive CF4401 after the horse.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Delta Blues". Australian Stud Book. Australian Turf Club Limited and Victoria Racing Club Limited. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
- ^ 2006 Melbourne Cup result
- ^ a b Delta Blues (JPN) - The Japan Association for International Horse Racing profile of Delta Blues[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c Sumii goes for Pop Rock over Delta Blues - racingandsports.com.au
- ^ a b "JRA Award 2004". Archived from the original on 9 December 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2006.
- ^ "Tawqeet wins Caulfield Cup". Sydney Morning Herald. 21 October 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ Yasunari Iwata wins the 19th World Super Jockey Series
- ^ Iwata wins World Super Jockey Series
- ^ 2006 Melbourne Cup result
- ^ Sports, Fox (7 November 2006). "Delta Blues holds on for thrilling win". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 November 2008.
- ^ International Flavour In The Caulfield Cup
- ^ "Cherished Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues dies". www.7news.com.au. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Motive Power Roundup Motive Power issue 79 January 2012 page 20
External links
edit
- ABC News - Photo gallery of Delta Blues winning the 2006 Melbourne Cup