# Sunday Silence

Sunday Silence (March 25, 1986 – August 19, 2002) was an American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In 1989, he won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes but failed to complete the Triple Crown when he was defeated in the Belmont Stakes. Nevertheless, he won the Breeders' Cup Classic and was voted American Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and American Horse of the Year that same year. Sunday Silence's racing career was marked by his rivalry with Easy Goer, whom he had a three to one edge over in their head-to-head races. Easy Goer, the 1988 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt finished second to Sunday Silence in the Kentucky Derby the Preakness, and the Breeders' Cup Classic. However, Easy Goer prevailed by eight lengths in the Belmont, denying Sunday Silence the Triple Crown. Both horses were later voted into the American Hall of Fame.
After his retirement from racing, Sunday Silence attracted little support by breeders in the United States and was exported to Japan. He was the leading sire in Japan on thirteen occasions, surpassing the previous record of ten titles by Northern Taste. Although the relatively insular nature of Japanese racing at the time meant that Sunday Silence's success was initially restricted to his home territory, his descendants have in recent years won major races in Australia, France, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the United States and Dubai. Blood-Horse pedigree expert Anne Peters speculated, "Had Sunday Silence retired in Kentucky, it's almost certain he would have tanked commercially and been exported in disgrace, but he found his perfect gene pool and thrived instead." He would later be the leading broodmare sire in North America in 2016.
In the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, Sunday Silence was ranked #31.

## Early years

Sunday Silence was foaled on March 25, 1986, at Stone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. He was sired by Halo out of Wishing Well by Understanding. Though he was registered as a dark bay/brown, he was in fact a true black.
He was bred by Oak Cliff Thoroughbreds, Ltd. and escaped death twice: first as a weanling when he nearly died from a freak virus; and later at age two, traveling in a van when the driver experienced a heart attack and the van flipped over. He was passed over twice at the sales ring as a yearling before he was sold in California for $50,000 as a two-year-old in training. Arthur B. Hancock III bought him as a "buy-back" (he had bred him), hoping to ship him to Kentucky. However, the van accident kept Sunday Silence in California. Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham bought a half share of the colt and then sold half of that to Ernest Gaillard. (Ownership designate: H-G-W Partners.)

## Ownership

H-G-W Partners (Hancock-Gaillard-Whittingham) represents the names of the three partners who owned the horse.The three partners were:
* Arthur B. Hancock III (b. 1943) - 50% partner, who is a horse breeder and the owner of Stone Farm near Paris, Kentucky.
* Charlie Whittingham (1913–1999) - 25% partner, who was the horse's Hall of Fame trainer;
* Ernest Gaillard (1913–2004) - 25% partner, who was a 1938 graduate of the University of Louisville and active in the organizing of the Kentucky Derby, and a medical doctor with the Eighth Army Air Forces during World War II.

## Racing record
### 1988: two-year-old season

Although Sunday Silence showed ability, he didn't make it to the races until late in his two-year-old season, finishing second in a maiden race, then winning a maiden special weight race and finishing second in an allowance race from three starts.

### 1989: three-year-old season

Sunday Silence began his three-year-old year by winning an allowance race at Santa Anita by four lengths which opened the door of Kentucky Derby potential. His next race was a victory in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes, and then he won the G1 Santa Anita Derby by eleven lengths to qualify for a start in the Kentucky Derby.

#### Kentucky Derby

In what became an iconic rivalry, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer would only meet four times, the first of which was the 1989 Kentucky Derby on May 6. In the buildup to the 1989 Triple Crown, the rivalry developed between the West Coast-based Sunday Silence and the East Coast-based Easy Goer, winner of the 1988 Eclipse Award for Champion Two Year Old Colt. Easy Goer was coming in off of a victory in the Wood Memorial and a record breaking performance in the Gotham Stakes. Unknown to the public however, Easy Goer had a small crack in his left front. The favorite was Easy Goer, with Sunday Silence as the 3:1 second choice.
Kentucky Derby day was a cold one at 44°, the coldest in 72 years, with rain creating a slow muddy track. After stalking the pace and making his move around the turn, Sunday Silence and jockey Pat Valenzuela defeated Easy Goer by 2+1⁄2 lengths, in the slowest time (2:05) for a Kentucky Derby since 1958. Sunday Silence ducked in and out sharply throughout the stretch run, with his jockey switching from left and right handed urging trying to keep him running straight. Even with ducking in and out, the champion Easy Goer was unable to make up ground. Daily Racing Form writer Dan Illman stated after Sunday Silence's victory that "the best horse won that afternoon." Daily Racing Form chairman Steve Crist stated his opinion that "Easy Goer had a legitimate explanation for his defeat, as he didn't handle the muddy Churchill track."

#### Preakness Stakes

While both horses were preparing for the 1+3⁄16-mile Preakness two weeks after the Derby, each had minor ailments. Sunday Silence came up lame after a gallop seven days before the race. Trainer Whittingham contacted well-known Kentucky veterinarian Alex Harthill, who diagnosed a bruise under the sole, a common injury that "wasn't a serious problem but it had happened at a serious time." Harthill had Sunday Silence step on a clean sheet of white paper which was subsequently faxed to Ric Redden of Lexington, Kentucky, and from which Redden prepared a set of aluminum bar shoes. Redden and his assistant then flew via rented jet to Baltimore with the bar shoes and X-ray machine to confirm that no fracture was involved. After the shoes were fitted, Sunday Silence resumed training four days before the race. After his connections saw the colt's "remarkably" rapid recovery from the injury, the bar shoes were removed the day before the race. With all the uncertainty over Sunday Silence's soundness, he would go on to be second choice once again to Easy Goer at 2:1.
Meanwhile, unknown to the public at his rival's stable, throughout Preakness week (as late as Friday, the day before the race), Easy Goer's front feet were being soaked in tubs of Epsom salts due to small scratches or cracks on both heels. An ultrasound was also performed on his ankles and knees. Some wondered if these ailments could compromise the chances of both horses. Easy Goer had "problematic, puffy" ankles that he dealt with throughout his career.
The 1989 Preakness Stakes on May 20 is one that continues to live in racing lore as one of the best races ever run, and one of the most iconic stretch duels. It was added into Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, placing at #70. Easy Goer broke slow, and Sunday Silence was bumped at the start, then the pair settled into their sports. After three-quarters of a mile, Day guided Easy Goer to the front where Sunday Silence dug in and went with him. The legendary stretch duel was fought the entire length of the stretch, with neither Sunday Silence or Easy Goer giving an inch. Sunday Silence prevailed in the photo finish, with a finishing time of 1:53 4/5, the third fastest Preakness at the time.
Some Easy Goer loyalists in the media maintained their horse's superiority, attributing the loss to the fact that Easy Goer had leapt in the air at the start and his jockey, Pat Day, reined Easy Goer's head to the right when he had a short lead in the home stretch. Day, who lodged a failed objection against Valenzuela, has called his ride "a mistake."

#### Belmont Stakes

In 1989, New York was the only state in America that banned all race-day drugs and medications, including the now-commonly used medication Lasix. In the three weeks between the Preakness and Belmont, Whittingham was angered that the controversial veterinarian Alex Harthill, who treated Sunday Silence earlier for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, was not licensed in New York and prohibited from practicing. The day before the 1+1⁄2-mile Belmont Stakes, Sunday Silence, with exercise rider Pam Mabes up, was spooked and kicked trainer Whittingham in the temple, a glancing blow that came close to killing the trainer.
Belmont Park received several inches of rain in the days leading up to the race, but by race day on June 10 the track was rated fast with Sunday Silence this time the 4:5 post time favorite, and the entry of Easy Goer and Awe Inspiring at 8:5. While initially planning on going to the lead, Sunday Silence settled into second behind the longshot French colt Le Voyageur. Easy Goer was never too far behind either. When Sunday Silence made his move on the turn, Easy Goer made a faster one and swept to the front. Easy Goer defeated Sunday Silence by eight lengths in the time of 2:26, producing the second-fastest Belmont Stakes in history, behind only Secretariat, and denied Sunday Silence the Triple Crown, and thus a $5M bonus. However, by virtue of his two Classic wins and his runner-up performance, Sunday Silence was awarded the third $1,000,000 Visa Triple Crown Bonus for best three-year-old in the series.

#### Breeders' Cup Classic

After the Belmont Stakes, the pair went their separate ways with Sunday Silence returning to California where he finished second to eventual Breeders' Cup Turf winner Prized in the Grade II 1+1⁄4-mile Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park on July 23. From there he went to Louisiana Downs where he won the Grade I Super Derby on September 24, giving him six weeks' rest going into the Breeder's Cup Classic. Over in New York, Easy Goer won 4 successive Grade I stakes after the Belmont... the Whitney Handicap, Travers Stakes, Woodward Stakes, and the Jockey Club Gold Cup, giving him 27 days' rest going into the Classic.
This set up one final face-off between the rivals at the season-ending $3 million 1+1⁄4-mile Breeders' Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park, on November 4. The contest was expected to decide the winner of the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year. Sunday Silence's jockey Pat Valenzuela had earlier been suspended for cocaine use and was replaced by Hall of Fame rider Chris McCarron. Sunday Silence was the post time 2:1 second choice behind Easy Goer at 1:2.
The race started as usual for Sunday Silence who settled five lengths behind the leader, but Easy Goer broke slow and was 11 lengths from the front for much of the race. On the backstretch, Sunday Silence inched closer to the lead with Easy Goer noticeably and suddenly getting into stride with three quarters of a mile to go, with track announcer Tom Durkin commenting during the race "he is five lengths behind Sunday Silence and now he's beginning to roll!" and near the half mile pole he continued, "Sunday Silence bracing for the oncoming power of Easy Goer, whose right at his neck!" On the turn however, Sunday Silence continued to gain on the leader, leaving Easy Goer behind. Sunday Silence took control with about an eighth of a mile to go, with Easy Goer three lengths behind. Jockey Chris McCarron continued with a hand ride, and was able to withstand a strong late charge by Easy Goer to win the Classic by a neck. The victory solidified a 3:1 advantage in Sunday Silence's favor.
At this point, Sunday Silence had earned what was then a single-season record $4.59 million and won seven times in nine starts for the 1989 campaign, earning him Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Male Horse and Horse of the Year honors. For the latter award, Sunday Silence received 223 of 242 votes, making him the most decisive winner since John Henry eight years earlier. Even with the championship honors, debate continues decades after their careers on who was the better horse.

### 1990: four-year-old season

At the age of four, Sunday Silence won the Californian and placed second in the Hollywood Gold Cup behind Criminal Type by a head, while giving away 5 pounds. He suffered an injured ligament that eventually led to his retirement. Out of 14 career races, he won nine and placed second in the other five.

### Accomplishments

In 1996, Sunday Silence was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He was ranked #31 in the Bloodhorse Top 100 Horses of the 20th Century, while Easy Goer ranked #34. Blood-Horse stated that its rankings "will generate debate for years to come." The electoral friction was ultimately reflected in the introduction to the Blood-Horse's "Top 100 Racehorses" book, which said, "For all the work and dreaming that went into it... one approaches the list... with a nagging sense of its folly as a rational exercise and of the maddening arbitrariness of its outcome. However, one views this list of horses, whether in peace and contentment—or shock and dismay—all such judgments, of course, are entirely subjective, a mixture of whim, wisdom, and whatever prejudices howl through the back of the mind."
Since the Breeders’ Cup Classic was instituted in 1984, Alysheba and Sunday Silence were the only two horses to win three legs of a four-race sequence that was defined in 2015 as the Grand Slam of Thoroughbred racing: The Triple Crown races, plus the Breeders' Cup Classic, and Sunday Silence was the first horse to win three legs of the modern Grand Slam in the same year. As the Breeders' Cup began after the 1978 Triple Crown win of Affirmed, the potential for a sweep of all four races only became possible in 1984, and did not occur until 2015 when American Pharoah won the Triple Crown and eventually the Grand Slam.

## Stud record

Sunday Silence was sold to Japanese breeder Zenya Yoshida, to stand at his Shadai Stallion Station in Shiraoi, Hokkaido. Yoshida had acquired a 25% interest in Sunday Silence early in his 4-year-old season and bought out the other partners for $7.5 million in 1991.
Sunday Silence flourished in Japan and became their leading sire from 1995 through 2008, taking over from Northern Taste (ten-time leading sire in Japan). He was particularly successful with daughters from the Northern Dancer sire line. However, breeders were generally not successful expanding his influence outside of Japan. His progeny have won many races in Japan, including 20 out of 22 JRA Grade 1 flat races (the only exceptions are the NHK Mile Cup and the Japan Cup Dirt). His progeny also have won International Grade 1 race including the Hong Kong Vase, Hong Kong Mile and Dubai Sheema Classic.
Descendants of Sunday Silence have broken many earnings records, in part because he was active at the start of the "big crop" era (siring about 2000 foals) and also because the average purses in Japan are significantly higher than the rest of the world. Conservative estimates on the earnings of Sunday Silence descendants place the total near JPY 80 billion (approximately $730 million according to Equibase).
He was also the leading broodmare sire in North America in 2016 with Japanese racehorse Lani's entry in the Kentucky Derby that year with a Grade II win in Dubai, followed by off the board finishes in the Derby and Preakness, and a third-place finish in the Belmont. Once qualified to appear on the broodmare sire list, Sunday Silence then got enhancements from his Japanese runners, where there is a substantial disproportion between North American purses and the significantly higher purses in Japan.

### Major winners

c = colt, f = filly
Grade one winners :
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 1992 | Dance Partner | f | Yūshun Himba, Queen Elizabeth II Cup |
| 1992 | Fuji Kiseki | c | Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes |
| 1992 | Genuine | c | Satsuki Shō, Mile Championship |
| 1992 | Marvelous Sunday | c | Takarazuka Kinen |
| 1992 | Tayasu Tsuyoshi | c | Tokyo Yūshun |
| 1993 | Bubble Gum Fellow | c | Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes, Tennō Shō (Autumn) |
| 1993 | Dance in the Dark | c | Kikuka Shō |
| 1993 | Ishino Sunday | c | Satsuki Shō |
| 1994 | Silence Suzuka | c | Takarazuka Kinen |
| 1994 | Stay Gold | c | Hong Kong Vase, Dubai Sheema Classic |
| 1995 | Special Week | c | Tokyo Yūshun, Japan Cup, Tennō Shō (Spring and Autumn) |
| 1996 | Admire Vega | c | Tokyo Yūshun |
| 1996 | Stinger | f | Hanshin Sansai Himba Stakes |
| 1996 | To the Victory | f | Queen Elizabeth II Cup |
| 1997 | Agnes Flight | c | Tokyo Yūshun |
| 1997 | Air Shakur | c | Satsuki Shō, Kikuka Shō |
| 1997 | Cheers Grace | f | Oka Shō |
| 1998 | Agnes Tachyon | c | Satsuki Shō |
| 1998 | Believe | f | Sprinters Stakes, Takamatsunomiya Kinen |
| 1998 | Manhattan Cafe | c | Kikuka Shō, Arima Kinen, Tennō Shō (Spring) |
| 1998 | Mejiro Bailey | c | Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes |
| 1999 | Admire Max | c | Takamatsunomiya Kinen |
| 1999 | Durandal | c | Mile Championship, Sprinters Stakes |
| 1999 | Gold Allure | c | February Stakes |
| 1999 | Sunday Joy | f | Australian Oaks |
| 2000 | Admire Groove | f | Queen Elizabeth II Cup (twice) |
| 2000 | Heavenly Romance | f | Tennō Shō (Autumn) |
| 2000 | Neo Universe | c | Satsuki Shō, Tokyo Yūshun |
| 2000 | Orewa Matteruze | c | Takamatsunomiya Kinen |
| 2000 | Peace of World | f | Hanshin Juvenile Fillies |
| 2000 | Still in Love | f | Japanese Triple Tiara (Oka Shō, Yūshun Himba, Shūka Shō) |
| 2000 | Zenno Rob Roy | c | Japan Cup, Arima Kinen, Tennō Shō (Autumn) |
| 2001 | Daiwa el Cielo | f | Yūshun Himba |
| 2001 | Daiwa Major | c | Mile Championship, Yasuda Kinen, Satsuki Shō, Tennō Shō |
| 2001 | Dance in the Mood | f | Oka Shō |
| 2001 | Hat Trick | c | Mile Championship, Hong Kong Mile |
| 2001 | Heart's Cry | c | Dubai Sheema Classic, Arima Kinen |
| 2001 | Suzuka Mambo | c | Tennō Shō (Spring) |
| 2002 | Air Messiah | f | Shūka Shō |
| 2002 | Daring Heart | f | Queen Stakes |
| 2002 | Deep Impact | c | Japanese Triple Crown (Satsuki Shō, Tokyo Yūshun, Kikuka Shō), Japan Cup, Arima Kinen, Takarazuka Kinen, Tennō Shō (Spring) |
| 2002 | Shonan Peintre | f | Hanshin Juvenile Fillies |
| 2002 | Suzuka Phoenix | c | Takamatsunomiya Kinen |
| 2003 | Fusaichi Pandora | f | Queen Elizabeth II Cup |
| 2003 | Matsurida Gogh | c | Arima Kinen |
Other winners :
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 1992 | Bright Sunday | m | 1995 Sapphire Stakes |
| 1992 | Prime Stage | m | 1994 Sapporo Sansai Stakes |
| 1992 | Magic Kiss | m | 1996 TV Nishinppon Corp.Sho Kitakyushu Kinen |
| 1992 | Daitaku Surgeon | c | 1996 Osaka Jo Stakes |
| 1992 | Silent Happiness | m | 1995 Sankei Sports Sho Yonsai Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1992 | Sunday Well | c | 1995 R.F.Radio Nippon SHO St.Lite Kinen |
| 1992 | Summer Suspicion | c | 1995 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho |
| 1992 | Silent Happiness | m | 1995 Sankei Sports Sho Yonsai Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1992 | King of Daiya | c | 1997 Nakayama Kinen |
| 1993 | Rosen Kavalier | c | 1997 American Jockey Club Cup |
| 1993 | Royal Touch | c | 1996 Kisaragi Sho |
| 1993 | Silent Hunter | c | 1999 Sankei Osaka Hai |
| 1993 | Sakura Keizan O | c | '96 Choshi Tokubetsu |
| 1993 | She's Grace | m | 1995 Fuyo Stakes |
| 1993 | Sericite Dandy | c | 1997 Tuf Hai |
| 1993 | Hornet Pierce | m | 1998 Sumidagawa Tokubetsu |
| 1994 | Big Sunday | c | 1998 Yomiuri Milers Cup |
| 1994 | Waltz Dancer | m | 1999 Ichikawa Stakes |
| 1994 | Air Wings | m | 1997 Sankei Sports Hai Hanshin Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1994 | Orange Peel | m | 1997 Sankei Sports Sho Yonsai Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1995 | Meisho Odo | c | 2000 Sankei Osaka Hai |
| 1995 | Divine Light | c | 2000 TV Yamanashi Hai |
| 1995 | Jo Big Bang | c | 1999 Hakodate Kinen |
| 1995 | Tayasu Again | c | 1998 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho |
| 1995 | Egao o Misete | m | 1998 Sankeisports Hai Hanshin Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1996 | Chokai Ryoga | c | 2003 May Stakes |
| 1996 | T.M.Sunday | c | 2003 Silk Road Stakes |
| 1996 | Rosado | c | 2002 Sankei Sho All Comers |
| 1996 | Maruka Candy | m | 2001 Fuchu Himba Stakes |
| 1996 | Fusaichi Airedale | m | 1999 Hochi Hai Yonsai Himba Tokubetsu |
| 1996 | Black Tuxedo | c | 1999 R.F.Radio Nippon Sho St.Lite Kinen |
| 1996 | Painted Black | c | 1999 Sports Nippon Sho Stayers Stakes |
| 1996 | Thrilling Sunday | c | 2001 Narutaki Tokubetsu |
| 1996 | Eishin Rudens | m | 2001 Laurel R.C.Sho Nakayama Himba Stakes |
| 1996 | Kiss Me Tender | c | 2003 Dotombori Stakes |
| 1996 | Saikyo Sunday | c | 1999 Chunichi Sports Sho Yonsai Stakes |
| 1996 | Silent Cruise | c | 2002 AM Kobe Sho Chushun Tokubetsu |
| 1997 | Yamanin Respect | c | 2002 Hakodate Kinen |
| 1997 | Yukino Sun Royal | c | 2005 Nikkei Sho |
| 1997 | Future Sunday | m | 2000 Daily Hai Queen Cup |
| 1997 | Meisho Dominica | g | 2003 Fukushima Kinen |
| 1997 | Nihon Pillow Neil | c | 2002 Murasaki Sho |
| 1997 | New England | c | 2001 STV Hai |
| 1997 | Bailarina | m | 2000 Sweetpea Stakes |
| 1997 | Fusaichi Zenon | c | 2000 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho |
| 1997 | Tokai Oza | c | 2001 Copa Republica Argentina |
| 1997 | Admire Boss | c | 2000 R.F.Radio Nippon Sho St.Lite Kinen |
| 1997 | Apatheia | c | 2003 Hayama Tokubetsu |
| 1997 | Win Marvelous | c | 2003 Kyoto High Jump |
| 1997 | Ammirare | c | 2001 Keiyaki Stakes |
| 1998 | Royal Cancer | c | 2003 NST Open |
| 1998 | Millennium Bio | c | 2002 Yomiuri Milers Cup |
| 1998 | Miscast | c | 2001 Principal Stakes |
| 1998 | Trust Fire | c | 2001 Radio Tampa Sho |
| 1998 | Noblesse Oblige | m | 2003 Emerald Stakes |
| 1998 | Happy Path | m | 2003 Kyoto Himba Stakes |
| 1998 | Hallelujah Sunday | c | Fukushima TV Open |
| 1998 | Dark Wizard | g | 2002 Inari Tokubetsu |
| 1998 | Diamond Biko | m | 2002 Sankeisports Hai Hanshin Himba Stakes |
| 1998 | Daiwa Rogue | m | 2000 Niigata Sansai Stakes |
| 1998 | Cheers Brightly | c | 2003 Keihan Hai |
| 1998 | Sunrise Pegasus | c | 2005 Mainichi Okan |
| 1998 | Seiko Sunday | c | 2002 Spica Stakes |
| 1998 | Coin Toss | c | 2002 Shirafuji Stakes |
| 1998 | Admire Rich | m | 2005 Miyabi Stakes |
| 1998 | Isao Heat | c | 2004 Kanetsu Stakes |
| 1998 | Win Radius | c | 2004 Keio Hai Spring Cup |
| 1998 | Agnes Gold | c | 2001 Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes |
| 1999 | Monopole | c | 2006 Tomoe Sho |
| 1999 | Monopolizer | c | 2002 Port Island Stakes |
| 1999 | Yamanin Seraphim | c | 2002 Keisei Hai |
| 1999 | Pop Jewel | m | 2004 Tuf Hai |
| 1999 | Tosen Humming | c | 2004 Abukuma Tokubetsu |
| 1999 | Hustler | c | 2004 Banshun Stakes |
| 1999 | Bash Earth | g | 2004 Hakuryo Memorial |
| 1999 | Tiger Cafe | c | 2007 April Stakes |
| 1999 | Daiwa Raiders | c | 2005 Tanabata Sho |
| 1999 | Cheers Stark | c | 2002 Kyodo News Service Hai |
| 1999 | Chapel Concert | m | 2004 Yonago Stakes |
| 1999 | Chokai Flight | c | 2006 Oguninuma Tokubetsu |
| 1999 | Shinin' Ruby | m | 2002 Daily Hai Queen Cup |
| 1999 | Win Duel | c | 2004 Onuma Styakes |
| 1999 | Emerald Isle | m | 2004 Shiranui Tokubetsu |
| 1999 | Er Nova | m | 2004 HTB Hai |
| 2000 | Vita Rosa | m | 2003 R.F.Radio Nippon Sho St.Lite Kinen |
| 2000 | Reminiscence | m | 2005 Tsukiyoka Tokubetsu |
| 2000 | Black Cafe | c | 2006 Uzuki Stakes |
| 2000 | Tokai Elite | c | 2006 Orion Stakes |
| 2000 | Dancing On | c | 2004 Mr. C.B. Memorial |
| 2000 | Cheers Message | m | 2005 Kyoto Himba Stakes |
| 2000 | Cheerful Smile | m | 2006 Keenland Cup |
| 2000 | Chunyi | m | 2003 Daily Hai Stakes |
| 2000 | T M Tanrai | c | 2007 Tajima Stakes |
| 2000 | Super Chance | c | 2006 Umeda Stakes |
| 2000 | Starry Heaven | m | 2004 Utopia Stakes |
| 2000 | Spicule | c | 2004 Betelguise Stakes |
| 2000 | Silent Deal | c | 2003 Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes |
| 2000 | Sakura President | c | 2003 Sapporo Kinen |
| 2000 | Superieure | m | 2005 Takaragaike Tokubetsu |
| 2000 | Catch the Gold | m | 2005 Awaji Tokubetsu |
| 2000 | Quiet Day | c | 2007 March Stakes |
| 2000 | Alfajores | c | 2006 Kintei Stakes |
| 2000 | Albireo | c | 2005 Commemorative Race Of Yukio Okabe |
| 2001 | Vril | c | 2004 Ireland Trophy |
| 2001 | Valparaiso | m | 2004 Mimosa Sho |
| 2001 | Wadi Rum | m | 2006 Yonago Stakes |
| 2001 | Lord Marshal | c | 2004 Fukujuso Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Lady in Black | m | 2004 Anemone Stakes |
| 2001 | Legolas | c | 2008 Ryogoku Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Les Clefs d'Or | m | 2004 Kansai Telecasting Corp.Sho Rose Stakes |
| 2001 | Ribbon Art | m | 2006 Suzaku Stakes |
| 2001 | Rikiai Silence | c | 2007 October Stakes |
| 2001 | Meteor Burst | c | 2003 Icho Stakes |
| 2001 | Mejiro Nicolas | g | 2005 Shikotsuko Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Meisho Ho O | c | 2007 Nigai Times Hai |
| 2001 | Mystic Age | c | 2004 Komakusa Sho |
| 2001 | Mile de Paris | m | 2007 Asuka Stakes |
| 2001 | Maino Chikara | m | 2006 Chushu Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Beluga | c | 2008 Shumbo Stakes |
| 2001 | Pretty Princess | m | 2006 Kuta Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Plasma | c | 2005 Oguninuma Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Black Tide | c | 2004 Fuji TV Sho Spring Stakes |
| 2001 | French Idea | m | 2005 Hita Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Firenze | c | 2006 Suma Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Fine Cela | m | 2006 Moiwayaka Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Pisa no Kukai | c | 2004 Principal Stakes |
| 2001 | Hikaru Dokisei | m | 2004 Tokai Teio Memorial |
| 2001 | Higher Game | c | 2004 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho |
| 2001 | Dolce Limone | m | 2004 Wasurenagusa Sho |
| 2001 | Stratagem | c | 2004 Sakaiminato Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Swift Current | c | 2006 Kokura Kinen |
| 2001 | Sunday Stream | g | 2005 Commemorative Race of New Hakodate City |
| 2001 | Silence Gold | g | 2005 Aoshima Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Gorgeous Dinner | c | 2006 Dannoura Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Great Journey | c | 2006 Lord Derby Challenge |
| 2001 | Kyowa Roaring | c | 2007 Nishinippon Corp.Sho Kiyakyutsu Kinen |
| 2001 | Kyowa Splendor | c | 2003 Clover Sho |
| 2001 | Capital Flight | c | 2006 Yokote Tokubetsu |
| 2001 | Air Shady | c | 2008 American Jockey Club |
| 2001 | Admire Big | c | 2003 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes |
| 2001 | Azuma Sanders | m | 2005 Kyoto Himba Stakes |
| 2002 | Lofty Aim | m | 2006 Fukushima Himba Stakes |
| 2002 | Lord Anthem | c | 2006 Senriyama Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Rosenkreuz | c | 2007 Kinko Sho |
| 2002 | Rhett Butler | c | 2008 TV U Fukushima Sho |
| 2002 | Raise Your Dream | c | 2006 Enoshima Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Race Pilot | m | 2005 Mimosa Sho |
| 2002 | Yamanin Ariel | m | 2007 Okazaki Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Megaton Cafe | c | 2005 Oriental Sho |
| 2002 | Meisho Ote | c | 2006 Kotobuki stakes |
| 2002 | Maruka Sieg | c | 2006 Ogori Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Machikane Kirara | c | 2006 April Stakes |
| 2002 | Machikane Aura | c | 2006 Toyota Sho Chukyo Kinen |
| 2002 | Bonaparte | g | 2005 Soma Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Penny Whistle | m | 2005 Sapporo Nikkan Sports Hai |
| 2002 | Peer Gynt | c | 2004 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes |
| 2002 | Princess Lucita | m | 2007 Nayabashi Stakes |
| 2002 | Princess Grace | m | 2005 Kitano Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Principe del Sol | c | 2008 Nishigo Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Brave Heart | c | 2008 Abukuma Stakes |
| 2002 | Pisa no Patek | c | 2009 UHB Hai |
| 2002 | Pixie Dust | m | 2008 Uzushio Stakes |
| 2002 | Passional Dance | m | 2006 Yamakunigawa Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Perfect Match | m | 2005 Haramachi Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Hulk Banyan | c | 2007 Isezaki Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | New York Cafe | c | 2006 Yunokawa Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Tokai Wild | c | Nikkei Shinsun Hai |
| 2002 | Dia de la Novia | m | 2005 Sankei Sports Sho Flora Stakes |
| 2002 | Dantsu Kitcho | c | 2005 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho |
| 2002 | Double Timpani | c | 2007 Orion Stakes |
| 2002 | Soldier's Song | c | 2008 Okutama Stakes |
| 2002 | Jadeite | m | 2005 Wasurenagusa Sho |
| 2002 | Six Sense | c | 2006 Kyoto Kinen |
| 2002 | Thanks a Lot | m | 2007 Seibunikkan Sports Hai |
| 2002 | Samurai Heart | c | 2005 Doncaster Cup |
| 2002 | King's Trail | c | 2005 R.F. Radio Nippon Sho St. Lite Kinen |
| 2002 | Eishin Lighten | c | 2006 Boso Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Air Sabbath | c | 2006 Kiyotaki Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Ibuki Revolution | c | 2005 Yukiyanagi Sho |
| 2002 | African Beat | c | 2007 Rokusha Tokubetsu |
| 2002 | Admire Japan | c | 2005 Keisei Hai |
| 2002 | Agnes Treasure | c | 2008 Murasaki Sho |
| 2003 | Russell Barows | c | 2006 Higashiyama Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Maruka Shenck | c | 2005 Daily Hai Nisai Stakes |
| 2003 | Magic Hour | g | 2006 Atago Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Fusaichi Junk | c | 2006 Wakagoma Stakes |
| 2003 | Hagino Princess | m | 2008 Akanko Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Nirvana | c | 2008 Kokura Nikkei Open |
| 2003 | Trophy Deal | c | 2008 Biwako Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Tosen Shana O | c | 2006 R.F. Radio Nippon Sho St. Lite Kinen |
| 2003 | Tudor Rose | c | 2007 Sakurayama Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Chokai Sunday | c | 2006 Zao Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Tagano Eiger | c | 2007 Mino Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Saint Victoire | m | 2006 Elfin Stakes |
| 2003 | King Arthur | c | 2008 Koto Stakes |
| 2003 | Captain Vega | c | 2008 Sekigahara Stakes |
| 2003 | F Seiko | c | 2006 Wakatake Sho |
| 2003 | Eterno | g | 2009 Sakaiminato Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Air Magdalene | m | 2007 Kamomejima Tokubetsu |
| 2003 | Win Legend | c | 2006 Aoi Stakes |
| 2003 | Admire Main | c | 2006 TV Tokyo Hai Aoba Sho |
| 2003 | Admire Kiss | m | 2006 Kansai Telecasting Corp. Sho Rose Stakes |
| 2003 | Axion | c | 2010 Nikkai Sports Sho Nakayama Kimpai |

### Sire of sires

Many of Sunday Silence's sons have gone on to become successful breeding stallions, with at least seventeen of them siring Group or Grade I winners. These include:
* Fuji Kiseki sired Kane Hekili, Straight Girl, Sun Classique (Dubai Sheema Classic) and Isla Bonita.
* Dance in the Dark sired Delta Blues, the winner of Australia's Melbourne Cup.
* Stay Gold sired Orfevre, Gold Ship, Dream Journey, Nakayama Festa, Fenomeno, Oju Chosan, Red Reveur (Hanshin Juvenile Fillies), Admire Lead (Victoria Mile), Rainbow Line, Win Bright and Indy Champ.
* Agnes Gold sired Silence Is Gold, Abu Dhabi, Mais Que Bonita, Abidjan, Antonella Baby, Ivar, Energia Fribby, Hevea, Honra Real, Nathan, Olympic Kremlin, Culo e Camicia, Olympic Jhonsnow, Orfeu Negro, Olympic Las Palmas, Janelle Monae, In Love, Online, Look Of Love, No Fear, Doutor Sureño and Neverwalkalone.
* Divine Light sired Natagora.
* Special Week sired Toho Jackal (Kikuka Sho), Buena Vista and Cesario; who in turn foaled Epiphaneia, Leontes, and Saturnalia.
* Manhattan Cafe sired Grape Brandy (February Stakes), Hiruno d'Amour (Tenno Sho), Jo Cappuccino (NHK Mile Cup) Red Desire (Shuka Sho) and Queens Ring (Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup).
* Neo Universe sired Unrivaled (Satsuki Shō), Logi Universe, Victoire Pisa, and Neorealism. Victoire Pisa in turn sired the Oka Sho winner Jeweler.
* Zenno Rob Roy sired Saint Emilion (Yūshun Himba)
* Daiwa Major sired Curren Black Hill (NHK Mile Cup), Major Emblem, Admire Mars, Resistencia, Serifos, Double Major, and Ascoli Piceno.
* Hat Trick sired Dabirsim and King David (Jamaica Handicap).
* Deep Impact sired Gentildonna, Deep Brillante, Kizuna, Harp Star, A Shin Hikari, Makahiki, Shonan Pandora, Beauty Parlour (Poule d'Essai des Pouliches), Ayusan, Verxina, Tosen Ra, Mikki Isle, Dee Majesty, Spielberg (Tennō Shō), Lachesis (Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup), Danon Shark (Mile Championship), Shonan Adela, Danon Platina, Real Impact, Mikki Queen, Marialite, Real Steel, Sinhalite, Danon Premium, Vivlos, Satono Diamond, Al Ain, Saxon Warrior, Study of Man, Fierement, Fierce Impact, Wagnerian, Gran Alegria, Roger Barows, Loves Only You, Contrail, Fancy Blue, Ask Victor More, and Auguste Rodin.
* Suzuka Phoenix sired Meiner Ho O (NHK Mile Cup)
* Gold Allure sired Espoir City, Smart Falcon (Tokyo Daishōten, Teio Sho, Kawasaki Kinen), Copano Rickey (February Stakes), Gold Dream (February Stakes), Chrysoberyl (Japan Cup Dirt, Champions Cup), and Naran Huleg.
* Heart's Cry sired Just A Way, Admire Rakti, Cheval Grand, Nuovo Record (Yūshun Himba), One And Only, Lys Gracieux, Suave Richard, Yoshida, Time Flyer, Salios, Do Deuce, and Continuous.
* Black Tide sired Kitasan Black, who in turn sired Equinox and Sol Oriens
* Suzuka Mambo sired Meisho Mambo and Sambista (Champions Cup)
In addition to his sons, his daughter Sun is Up was the dam of 2014 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Karakontie. Sunday Silence is also the damsire of Screen Hero (foaled by Running Heroine), Duramente (foaled by Admire Groove), and Almond Eye (foaled by Fusaichi Pandora), among others.
When Blood-Horse magazine started to include Japanese earnings in their stallion rankings in 2016, Sunday Silence was the leading broodmare sire of the year. In 2022, Gendarme (a grandson of Sunday Silence through his daughter Believe) won the G1 Sprinters Stakes, the same race his dam won in 2002.

## Death

Sunday Silence died on August 19, 2002. He had been treated for laminitis for the previous 14 weeks and had developed an infection in one leg as well. He had been given a stronger dose of a different painkilling medication the previous day to provide him relief, and apparently as a result, he had become comfortable enough to lie down for the first time in a week. The following morning, he appeared unable to rise, and while veterinarians were discussing what to do, he died, apparently of heart failure.

## Pedigree

Pedigree of Sunday Silence (USA), brown or black stallion, 1986 :
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Hail To Reason brown 1958 | Turn-To (IRE) bay 1951 | Royal Charger (GB) |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Hail To Reason brown 1958 | Turn-To (IRE) bay 1951 | Source Sucree (FR) |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Hail To Reason brown 1958 | Nothirdchance bay 1948 | Blue Swords |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Hail To Reason brown 1958 | Nothirdchance bay 1948 | Galla Colors |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Cosmah brown 1953 | Cosmic Bomb dark brown 1944 | Pharamond (GB) |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Cosmah brown 1953 | Cosmic Bomb dark brown 1944 | Banish Fear |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Cosmah brown 1953 | Almahmoud chestnut 1947 | Mahmoud (FR) |
| Sire Halo black 1969 | Cosmah brown 1953 | Almahmoud chestnut 1947 | Arbitrator |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Understanding chestnut 1963 | Promised Land gray 1954 | Palestinian |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Understanding chestnut 1963 | Promised Land gray 1954 | Mahmoudess |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Understanding chestnut 1963 | Pretty Ways brown 1953 | Stymie |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Understanding chestnut 1963 | Pretty Ways brown 1953 | Pretty Jo |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Mountain Flower bay 1964 | Montparnasse (ARG) brown 1956 | Gulf Stream (GB) |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Mountain Flower bay 1964 | Montparnasse (ARG) brown 1956 | Mignon (ARG) |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Mountain Flower bay 1964 | Edelweiss bay 1959 | Hillary |
| Dam Wishing Well brown 1975 | Mountain Flower bay 1964 | Edelweiss bay 1959 | Dowager (Family: 3-e) |

## In popular culture

In the horse racing game Derby Owners Club, Sunday Silence is one of the sires available to breed in the game. He is also pictured on one of the official game cards.