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SARGA.CO – Japan’s horse-racing world is in mourning. One of its most iconic champions, Gentildonna, has been reported dead at the age of 16. The 2012 Japanese Horse of the Year was a true legend on the track.
The site Idol Horse even listed her among the world’s highest-earning racehorses in its “Top 50 Richest Horses” ranking.
Gentildonna placed third among racehorses with the highest career earnings, behind Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior. Over her illustrious career, the bay mare—descended from stallions Deep Impact and Sunday Silence—earned a total of US$19.6 million.
Her name comes from Italian and means “noble woman.” Gentildonna made her racing debut in November 2011. During her career, she became only the fourth filly in history to win Japan’s Triple Crown at age three, sweeping the Oka Sho, the Oaks, and the Shuka Sho.
Gentildonna’s brilliance was no coincidence—she descended from some of the greatest racehorses in the world. She was a bay mare bred in Japan by Northern Farm in Hokkaido.
She was sired by Deep Impact, Japan’s legendary Triple Crown winner, and out of the British mare Donna Blini, winner of the 2005 Group One Cheveley Park Stakes.
Her full sister, Donau Blue, also shone on the track, winning the Kyoto Himba Stakes and Sekiya Kinen.
One of Gentildonna’s most unforgettable moments came from her fierce, neck-to-neck battle with Triple Crown champion Orfevre in the Japan Cup—a razor-thin victory that remains iconic.
Her success didn’t stop there. She went on to win the Japan Cup twice in a row, and at age five, she captured the Dubai Sheema Classic, a prestigious international G1 race. She retired in style after winning the Arima Kinen, bringing her total to seven G1 victories.
After retiring from racing, Gentildonna entered her broodmare career and produced six foals. One of them, Geraldina, won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup—earning a rare mother-and-daughter G1 achievement.
Gentildonna also produced Moana Anela (by King Kamehameha) and Marina Donna (by Lord Kanaloa).
She officially retired from broodmare duties in July 2025.
In the 2012 JRA Awards, Gentildonna was overwhelmingly voted Japan’s Horse of the Year, receiving 256 out of 289 votes. She beat out Gold Ship (21 votes), Orfevre (11 votes), and the sprinter Lord Kanaloa (1 vote).
She was unanimously named the Best Three-Year-Old Filly that same year.
Two years later, in January 2014, she won the award for Best Older Filly or Mare, capturing 274 of 280 votes.
Gentildonna again claimed Japan’s Horse of the Year in January 2015, earning 231 votes over Just A Way’s 51. She also secured her second unanimous win as Best Older Filly or Mare, chosen by all 285 voters.
Finally, on September 12, 2016, Gentildonna was inducted into the Japan Racing Association Hall of Fame.
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