Shadai Stallion Station-based son of Sunday Silence had been pensioned since 2021
The Japan Racing Authority (JRA) announced the death of pensioned stallion Heart's Cry (Sunday Silence) on Friday morning. He was 22.
Winner of the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) in 2006 and the previous year's Grade 1 Arima Kinen (2500m) when he defeated Deep Impact (Sunday Silence), Heart's Cry stood his entire career at Shadai Stallion Station. He was pensioned in 2021.
Shadai Farm's CEO Teruya Yoshida said: "I heard from the Shadai staff that he was happy and healthy until the end. He produced so many top horses as a stallion, and he was also the horse who helped to break through the barriers and anxieties of overseas racing trips.
"After retiring from stud duties, he spent his time comfortably in the field. I wanted him to enjoy his retirement for longer and I'm sorry we had to say goodbye so quickly."
To date, Heart's Cry has produced 44 Group / Graded winners and he is also beginning to make his mark as a top-class broodmare sire.
His leading earners include 2019 Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner Lys Gracieux, who also emulated her sire when winning the Armira Kinen in December 2019 on her final career start. Suave Richard, who now stands at Shadai Stallion Station won the 2019 Grade 1 Japan Cup (2400m), while fellow Shadai Stallion Station-based Just A Way was a multiple Grade 1 winner, with his victories including the Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in 2014.
Farewell Heart's Cry
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) March 10, 2023
What a legacy he leaves! #競馬 #ハーツクライ pic.twitter.com/rVHZWsKWdJ