Horse of the Week #5: Deep Monster’s Breakthrough Group Win - The Veteran Who Finally Arrived
- Archie Brookes
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Welcome back to the Horse of the Week series on archiebrookesracing.net, where we spotlight performances that combine athletic precision, tactical awareness, and long-term conditioning. This week’s focus is on Deep Monster, a seasoned seven-year-old whose victory in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2) marked a pivotal moment in his career - a triumph shaped by persistence, refined training, and flawless race execution.
Race Dynamics and Performance Breakdown
The 60th Kyoto Daishoten (G2), contested over 2400 metres on good-soft turf, brought together 18 middle-distance contenders for a share of a ¥145.7 million purse. Serving as an important lead-up to the Tenno Sho (Autumn), the race demanded both stamina and tactical adaptability. Deep Monster, trained by Yasutoshi Ikee and ridden by Suguru Hamanaka, entered as the 5th favourite at 11.3 odds. He ultimately stopped the clock at 2:23.9, prevailing by half a length over Sunrise Earth, with Vermicelles closing fast to secure third.
Early sectionals of 1:00.1 for the first 1000m and 1:49.0 through 1800m indicated a measured pace. From Gate 3, Hamanaka positioned Deep Monster perfectly along the rail in sixth, conserving energy while maintaining striking distance. As the field fanned wide into the straight, he waited for an inside gap to open - and when it did, Deep Monster produced a 34.4-second final 600m, the fastest closing split in the race. That late burst carried him past the leader in the final 100 metres, securing his long-awaited graded win.
This was a ride defined by patience, judgement, and efficiency - the kind of performance that demonstrates how seasoned horses and riders can turn small tactical decisions into major victories.
Historical Significance and Legacy
This race marked Deep Monster’s first graded stakes victory after 28 starts, underscoring a rare late-career breakthrough. The win earned him an automatic berth in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and pushed his career earnings past ¥280 million. For a seven-year-old entire, this level of progression is exceptional in Japan’s highly competitive circuit.
Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee described the result as “a testament to how experience and management extend a horse’s prime.” He emphasised improvements in Deep Monster’s core strength and back muscle conditioning, which have helped the horse maintain speed under pressure. Hamanaka, who has ridden Deep Monster through multiple campaigns, summarised the effort succinctly:
“Everything came together - the draw, the track, the rhythm. We stayed patient, trusted the plan, and when the rail opened, he responded instantly.”
Symbolically, this win also carries weight for the Ikee stable. As one of the last remaining graded performers sired by Deep Impact, Deep Monster represents the enduring quality of Japan’s most influential modern stallion. His success reinforces how that legacy continues to shape Japanese racing even a decade later.
Pedigree and Connections
Sire: Deep Impact (Sunday Silence × Wind in Her Hair)
Dam: Sisterly Love (by Bellamy Road)
Breeder: Yano Bokujo (Hokkaido)
Owner: DMM Dream Club Co. Ltd.
Trainer: Yasutoshi Ikee (Ritto Training Centre)
Jockey: Suguru Hamanaka
Foaled 5 March 2018, Deep Monster is a dark bay entire combining the stamina, stride efficiency, and aerobic endurance characteristic of Deep Impact progeny with the physical toughness inherited from his American dam line. His ability to remain sound and competitive deep into his career enhances his reputation among syndicate owners and boosts his potential as a stallion when he eventually retires.
Form and Conditioning Development
Deep Monster’s 2025 campaign reflected a pattern of steady progression:
Niigata Kinen (G3, 2000m): 3rd, beaten 0.2s; closing 32.6s final 600m.
Kokura Kinen (G3, 2000m): 3rd; 0.4s behind England Eyes.
Meguro Kinen (G2, 2500m): 4th; strong finish from 15th.
Epsom Cup (G3, 1800m): 7th on soft ground.
Tokai TV Hai Kinko Sho (G2, 2000m): 5th; steady throughout.
American Jockey Club Cup (G2, 2200m): 10th; disadvantaged by early position.
Ikee refined his training regime mid-season, shifting from a ring bit to a standard bit to enhance relaxation and responsiveness. Complementary conditioning focused on core strength and balance, utilising controlled gallops, hydrotherapy, and hill work. These adjustments improved his stride efficiency and stamina preservation, critical elements in the Kyoto Daishoten’s decisive final stretch.
Tactical Landscape and Race Context
Kyoto’s crowd witnessed a tactically intricate race. Sunrise Earth controlled the tempo and held well despite pressure. Vermicelles, an overlooked 90.8 outsider, produced an exceptional closing run for third. Admire Terra (2.2 favourite) loomed large but lacked the late acceleration to finish it off. Shonan La Punta and Al Naseem each made late progress, indicating forward potential in upcoming races.
Despite the slightly rain-affected ground, Deep Monster displayed superior adaptability, maintaining stride integrity through variable footing. His final 600m in 34.4 seconds reflected elite endurance and turn of foot - a combination that separates top-level stayers from capable contenders.
Broader Implications and Analytical Insights
Deep Monster’s success highlights how training evolution and physiological conditioning can sustain a horse’s competitive prime. His case illustrates the cumulative effect of biomechanical optimisation, pace management, and mental composure - components that, when aligned, allow older horses to compete effectively against younger rivals.
From a developmental standpoint, his story reinforces that not every thoroughbred reaches its peak at four or five. Some, like Deep Monster, improve through repetition, muscular maturity, and tactical understanding. Within the context of the Japan Racing Association (JRA) system, where durability is as prized as speed, his journey validates the importance of adaptive training and long-term strategy.
Conclusion: Endurance Rewarded
Deep Monster’s Kyoto Daishoten victory is more than a statistical milestone - it is a demonstration of how patience, skill, and conditioning converge to create success. After seasons of consistency without breakthrough, he has finally translated potential into performance.
His Group 2 triumph affirms his reputation as a durable, intelligent competitor and reflects the continued excellence of the Ikee stable. With a Tenno Sho (Autumn) berth secured, Deep Monster enters the elite autumn races not as an outsider, but as a legitimate force.
In a sport defined by moments of precision and persistence, this was one well-earned moment of vindication.
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