Japanese bloodstock market

HOKKAIDO, Japan - The demand for the progeny of Kitasan Black (Jpn) continued at the JRHA Sale on Tuesday. Just 24 hours after supplying the top lot of the yearling session, a half-brother to G1 NHK Mile Cup winner Schnell Meister (Ger) topped the foal segment for the Shadai Station-based stallion at ¥410 million (approximately $2.59 million).

Lot 364, consigned by Northern Farm, is out of the German Oaks winner Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), and was bought by prominent Japanese-based owner Toshihiko Tabata. Of the 239 foals offered, 231 were sold, resulting in a clearance rate of 96.7%. The aggregate for the foal session was ¥14.421 billion ($89,647,425), with an average of ¥62.428 million ($388,080) and a median of ¥42 million ($261,090). Between the two sessions, 64 lots sold for ¥100 million ($621,645) or more.

JRHA chairman and Shadai boss Teruya Yoshida described the trade as “incredible,” expressing pleasure at seeing more foreign buyers in attendance. American-based owner Mike Repole made a significant impact, buying five yearlings on Monday and adding two foals on Tuesday. This contributed to a record number of lots (12) being secured by foreign buyers, up from eight in 2022 and just four last year.

Yoshida said, “It was an incredible auction–a very strong market. There were a lot of active buyers who were keen to bid over the past two days. This year's Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) is a graduate from this sale, and we also had Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) finish very close in the Kentucky Derby. That was one of the big reasons why buyers were very active in this sale. I am very grateful for, not only the buyers, but all of the vendors associated with the horses sold here. They did a great job in preparing them in excellent condition which brings the success of the auction.”

He added, “I am very pleased that Mike Repole bought a lot of horses during the foal and yearling sessions. He is now applying to become a licensed owner in Japan, so maybe we will see those colours running in this country shortly. Maybe next year we will have more owners buying horses here. We will have foals by Equinox (Jpn) and Titleholder (Jpn) and I am sure that will attract plenty of people. I hope we will have more good horses coming out of this sale and that our graduates can continue to perform on the world stage.”

While proven sires like Kitasan Black and Epiphaneia (Jpn) dominated over the two days, Japanese Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) certainly lived up to market expectations. All 25 horses offered by Contrail over the two days found buyers, creating a massive aggregate of $15,503,826 and an average of $620,153.

Yoshida concluded, “The offspring of Contrail are exceptional. They are not big horses but, because they have such quality, they look bigger than they are. They have good quality and you can see that there is a lot of potential.”

Three foals by the unbeaten superstar Flightline sold for a combined ¥470 million ($2.9 million) as a series of big-name Japanese buyers competed for the progeny of the Lane's End stallion. Two colts, lots 419 and 436, made ¥210 million ($1.3 million) each, purchased by owners Tetsuhide Kunimoto and Masahiro Noda, respectively. A relatively new owner, Tatsuya Nakagoshi, paid ¥50 million ($310,000) for another foal (lot 347).

Kunimoto's red and white silks have been carried by many good horses, including Shonan Nadeshiko (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), while Noda is well-known as the man behind this year's Japanese Derby winner and latest poster boy for this sale, Danon Decile.

Japanese St Leger-winning owner Toshihiro Hirosaki purchased an Epiphaneia foal from Shadai Farm for ¥370 million. The foal will be trained by Yoshito Yahagi when the time comes. Hirosaki said, “This is the best foal in this catalogue, so I am very pleased to be able to buy him. Of course, the dream is to win the Japanese Derby with this foal.”

Other notable sales included:

- Lot 384, out of GI Acorn Stakes winner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon), a $2.6 million purchase by Shadai Farm at Fasig-Tipton in 2021, sold for ¥300 million ($1.86 million).

- The only foal by Gun Runner (lot 398) sold for ¥300 million ($1.86 million) to Y's Consignment Sales.

- The first ever foal by Baaeed (GB) sold for ¥56 million ($348,000) to Cosmo View Farm Ltd.

- Lot 401, a Kitasan Black filly out of French 1,000 Guineas winner Dream And Do (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), sold for ¥200 million ($1.24 million).

- Lot 333, a colt by Logotype (Jpn), sold for ¥115 million ($715,000) to owner Yuji Hasegawa.

The auction's success and the high prices achieved highlight the strength and growing international appeal of the Japanese bloodstock market.