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| Staff Writer |
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The Auguste Rodin story is coming full circle as the dual Derby hero prepares for his career finale in Sunday's Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo. The son of Japanese legend Deep Impact has sparked unprecedented celebrations from the Japan Racing Association ahead of his swansong.
The significance of Auguste Rodin's participation runs deep, with his sire Deep Impact having captured this US$6.7 million contest in 2006 after sweeping Japan's Triple Crown. Other notable winners include Almond Eye (2018) and Gentildonna (2012, 2013), who both went on to earn multiple Group One successes internationally.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed the initial skepticism around Coolmore's decision to send their premium Galileo mares to Japan. That bold strategy has yielded remarkable results, with Auguste Rodin joining Saxon Warrior and Snowfall as classic winners bred on the same cross.
The six-time Group One winner will bid to add an unprecedented achievement to his glittering CV that already includes the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf. His connections - Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Westerberg - have been overwhelmed by the reception.
"I think it's very special," said O'Brien. "Obviously we wouldn't have expected it, but we really appreciate it.
"We are really amazed how respectful the Japanese public are of Auguste Rodin, and obviously he's by Deep Impact, which makes him very special. So we really appreciate it and we feel very privileged and grateful to everybody for doing this and putting it on. Everyone's been so appreciative of him coming down and competing."
The Ballydoyle maestro's late conversion to Deep Impact's talents is particularly poignant. "We never really got Deep Impacts until his last three or four years at stud. We wish we had maybe gotten there before then," he reflected.
"We thought it was a little bit strange at the time, but obviously we know why now," O'Brien continued. "Deep Impact was one of the best stallions in the world ever. Obviously as his career went on at stud, we knew that he was very special."
The proof came swiftly on the track. "We didn't fully realise it until we got some Deep Impacts to train. We only got a very small number of them, but they were classic winner after classic winner. We knew that they were very different. They had great cruise—a great ability to travel through a race—and really could quicken and had loads of personalities as well."
That potent combination of Galileo mares and Deep Impact's influence produced outstanding specimens. Auguste Rodin, out of Rhododendron, alongside Snowfall (dam Best In The World) and Saxon Warrior (dam Maybe) have flown the flag with distinction in Europe's premier events.
The Japan Cup represents more than just another top-level prize - it's a fitting tribute to Deep Impact's enduring legacy through his most accomplished European-trained son.