Donna Blini

Two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Gentildonna has died at the age of 16. The news was announced by Sunday Racing, who raced the daughter of Deep Impact throughout her 19-start career. Bred by Northern Racing, and trained by Sei Ishizaka, the bay won at two and would go on to become the fourth Triple Tiara winner at three, as well as champion sophomore filly and Horse of the Year. After winning her first G1 Japan Cup in 2012, she ran second in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in 2013...

HOKKAIDO, Japan--Don't say we didn't warn you. Contrail (Jpn) has been the name on most people's lips around the sales ground at the JRHA Select Sale and when the first foals by the Triple Crown-winning son of Deep Impact (Jpn) took to the ring on Tuesday it wasn't long before the hype became reality. What's really important, of course, is what happens in two or three years' time when these youngsters make it to the track, but the first test, on the commercial market, has been passed with flying colours....

HOKKAIDO, Japan--Things are hotting up in the Northern Horse Park, literally and figuratively. As the mercury nudged 30 degrees on Saturday, the English and Irish in town for the JRHA Select Sale swooned and wilted while the many attendants showing the horses, mostly clad in jackets, went manfully and womanfully about their hot and tiring work without so much as a whimper. Both they and the young horses in their care are well prepared for the two inspection days ahead, despite having only arrived on the sales ground that morning....