In the following spring he ran prominently in several major races including the Satsuki Sho before stepping up in distance and winning the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

He was from the second crop of foals sired by Deep Impact who was the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2006, winning races including the Tokyo Yushun, Tenno Sho, Arima Kinen and Japan Cup.

Deep Brillante took the lead 400 metres rom the finish and won "comfortably" by three lengths from the 54/1 outsider Fujimasa Emperor.

[9] In the JRA Awards for 2011 Deep Brillante finished third behind Alfredo and Adam's Peak in the poll to determine the champion Japanese two-year-old colt of 2011.

[10] On his 2012 debut Deep Brillante started odds-on favourite for the Grade 3 Kyodo Tsushin Hai over 1800 metres at Tokyo on 12 February.

[11] Deep Brillante started third favourite for the Grade 1 Satsuki Sho at Nakayama on 15 April and finished third of the eighteen runners behind Gold Ship and World Ace.

In an extremely tight finish Deep Brillante held on to win by a nose from Fenomeno, with Tosen Homareboshi, World Ace, Gold Ship and Cosmo Ozora close behind.

"[15] After his win at Tokyo, Deep Brillante's connections took the unusual decision to send the colt to England and match him against older horses in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on 21 July.