Kizuna on track for back-to-back Japanese titles

Kizuna looks destined to claim back-to-back Japanese sires titles, following in the trail of his legendary sire and grandsire Deep impact and Sunday Silence as a multiple champion.

While two weeks of 2025 remain, during which time the richest race in the country, the Arima Kinen, will be run on December 28, Kizuna’s progeny have banked 4.9 billion yen, 700 million more than second-placed Lord Kanaloa.

It would seem highly unlikely, given the first prize for the Arima Kinen is 500 million yen, that anyone will catch Kizuna, who has had 206 winners in 2025, 14 more than Lord Kanaloa.

Both he and Lord Kanaloa had 221 winners last year, with Kizuna’s progeny banking 4.7 billion yen when he claimed his first title.

Kizuna is building a next legacy for Deep Impact, the 11-time champion who died aged 17 in July 2019.

Kizuna also leads all Japanese sires when it comes to stakes winners with 13, one more than Lord Kanaloa. His highest earner for the season has been recent G1 Champions Cup winner W Heart Bond.