Bungeishunju to Release 'Sports Graphic Number' Issue 1144: '20th Anniversary Retirement Special: The Genes of Deep Impact' on May 21
Bungeishunju will release the 1144th issue of the sports magazine 'Sports Graphic Number' on May 21, featuring a special report on the 20th anniversary of the retirement of legendary horse Deep Impact.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 15:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 06:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 06:34 (2 min after Collected)
Bungeishunju (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Naruyuki Iwakubo) will release the 1144th issue of its sports magazine, 'Sports Graphic Number,' on May 21. This issue features a special report commemorating the 20th anniversary of the retirement of the legendary horse Deep Impact.
Comment from Satoshi Nakagawa, Desk Editor for Number 1144:
'Waiting at the back of the pack, only to surge forward with an unmatched burst of speed in the final stretch—this is Deep Impact. Trainer Yuichi Fukunaga, who competed against him on the turf, famously admitted, "There was just nothing you could do against him." A legendary horse who achieved a 14-start, 12-win record, including becoming only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner in history after Symboli Rudolf. It has been 20 years since his last race at the Arima Kinen.
Following his retirement, he reigned as the leading sire for 11 consecutive years, and his offspring have shown remarkable success. This includes Contrail, the first undefeated Triple Crown winner father-son duo; Shahryar, who made a comeback after initially announcing his retirement from stud duty; Gentildonna, the Triple Crown filly who passed away last year; and Kizuna, who earned the leading sire title in both 2024 and 2025. We cover their journeys and current status, along with the competition among successors including Forever Young and this year's Satsuki Sho winner, Robchen.
Sunday Silence, featured in our 1129th issue last autumn, brought innovation to Japanese horse racing. We hope you enjoy the trajectory of the 'crystal of modern Japanese horse racing,' which expanded that impact with even greater force.
We must not forget the Japanese Derby coming up on May 31. Many three-year-old horses carrying Deep Impact's bloodline, including Robchen, are scheduled to run. Please pay close attention to the genes that still dominate the Japanese horse racing world.'
'Sports Graphic Number' Issue 1144
20th Anniversary Retirement Special
The Genes of Deep Impact
Comment from Satoshi Nakagawa, Desk Editor for Number 1144:
'Waiting at the back of the pack, only to surge forward with an unmatched burst of speed in the final stretch—this is Deep Impact. Trainer Yuichi Fukunaga, who competed against him on the turf, famously admitted, "There was just nothing you could do against him." A legendary horse who achieved a 14-start, 12-win record, including becoming only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner in history after Symboli Rudolf. It has been 20 years since his last race at the Arima Kinen.
Following his retirement, he reigned as the leading sire for 11 consecutive years, and his offspring have shown remarkable success. This includes Contrail, the first undefeated Triple Crown winner father-son duo; Shahryar, who made a comeback after initially announcing his retirement from stud duty; Gentildonna, the Triple Crown filly who passed away last year; and Kizuna, who earned the leading sire title in both 2024 and 2025. We cover their journeys and current status, along with the competition among successors including Forever Young and this year's Satsuki Sho winner, Robchen.
Sunday Silence, featured in our 1129th issue last autumn, brought innovation to Japanese horse racing. We hope you enjoy the trajectory of the 'crystal of modern Japanese horse racing,' which expanded that impact with even greater force.
We must not forget the Japanese Derby coming up on May 31. Many three-year-old horses carrying Deep Impact's bloodline, including Robchen, are scheduled to run. Please pay close attention to the genes that still dominate the Japanese horse racing world.'
'Sports Graphic Number' Issue 1144
20th Anniversary Retirement Special
The Genes of Deep Impact
FAQ
What is featured in Number issue 1144?
It features a special report on the 20th anniversary of Deep Impact's retirement, along with content on active horses, successors, and celebrity interviews.
Where can I purchase it?
It is available at bookstores, convenience stores, and e-book stores throughout Japan.
Are there features other than horse racing?
Yes, it includes serials and interviews featuring athletes like Shunsuke Nakamura, Ai Miyazato, and Kasumi Ishikawa.