At A Glance
Of the 239 foals offered, 231 were sold at a clearance rate of 96.7 per cent. The aggregate for the foal session was Yen 14.421 billion (AU$132million) while the average was Yen 62.428 million (AU$575,149) and the median Yen 42 million (AU$387,836). Between the two sessions, there were 64 lots to sell for Yen 100 million (AU$921,645) or more.
Nobody made quite as big a splash as American-based owner Mike Repole, who bought five yearlings here on Monday and added two foals to the haul on Tuesday. That played a massive part in a record number of lots [12] being secured on behalf of foreign buyers. The previous best was eight in 22 while the figure stood at just four last year.
Three foals by the unbeaten superstar Flightline sold for a combined Yen 470 million (AU$4.3 million) as a series of big-name Japanese buyers fought hard for the progeny of the Lane's End stallion.
Harry Sweeney of Paca Paca Farm offered the first ever foal anywhere in the world by Baaeed (GB). Trained by William Haggas on behalf of Shadwell, the European Horse Of The Year in 2022 won six Grade 1s all told. Lot 400 fetched Yen 56 million (AU$516,000) to Cosmo View Farm Ltd.
Lot 364, who was 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.
The overall stats left JRHA chairman and Shadai boss Teruya Yoshida describing trade as “incredible” before going on to explain his pleasure at seeing more foreign buyers in attendance.
Teruya Yoshida | courtesy of Brian Sheerin
Nobody made quite as big a splash as American-based owner Mike Repole, who bought five yearlings here on Monday and added two foals to the haul on Tuesday. That played a massive part in a record number of lots [12] being secured on behalf of foreign buyers. The previous best was eight in 22 while the figure stood at 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 a 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.”
“Nobody made quite as big a splash as American-based owner Mike Repole, who bought five yearlings here on Monday and added two foals to the haul on Tuesday.”
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 IJpn) 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 (Jon) certainly lived up to market expectation. Of the 25 horses offered by Contrail over the two days, they all found buyers, creating a massive aggregate of US$15,503,826 (AU$23,017,536). That works out at an average of US$620,153 (AU$920,523). Phenomenal stuff for a young stallion.
Mike Repole | Image courtesy of Keeneland
Yoshida concluded, “The offspring of Contrail is 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.”
Flightline foals prove popular
Three foals by the unbeaten superstar Flightline sold for a combined Yen 470 million (AU$4.3 million) as a series of big-name Japanese buyers fought hard for the progeny of the Lane's End stallion.
Two colts--Lots 419 and 436--made Yen 210 million (AU$1.9 million) apiece, to owners Tetsuhide Kunimoto and Masahiro Noda respectively, while a relatively new owner to the game Tatsuya Nakagoshi paid Yen 50 million (AU$460,000) for another.
Flightline | Standing at Lane's End
Kunimoto's red and white silks have been carried by many good horses, including Grade 1 winner Shonan Nadeshiko (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) while Noda needs no introduction given he is the man behind this year's Japanese Derby winner and poster boy for this sale Danon Decile.
Yahagi to train big-money Epiphaneia colt
Japanese St Leger-winning owner Toshihiro Hirosaki is dreaming of Derby glory in his home country with the Epiphaneia foal he purchased from Shadai Farm for Yen 370 million.
Unlike Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was trained by Yasuhito Tamura when landing the St Leger in 2022, the Epiphaneia will go into training with Yoshito Yahagi when the time comes.
Epiphaneia | Standing at Shadai Stallion Station
“This is the best foal in this catalogue so I am very pleased to be able to buy him,” the owner said afterwards. “Of course, the dream is to win the Japanese Derby with this foal.”
Big things were clearly expected from lot 384, who is out of G1 Acorn Stakes winner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon), a US$2,600,000 (AU$3.8 million) purchase by Shadai Farm at Fasig-Tipton in 2021. Carina Mia is reported to be in foal to superstar Equinox (Jpn).
Talking points
It’s not just the European mares who are big in Japan. Monday’s sale-topping yearling by Kitasan Black hailed from the former Aidan O’Brien-trained Galileo (Ire) mare Delphinia (Ire) and the Coolmore crew would have taken plenty of credit by how some of its stallions have been performing here this week as well. A St Mark’s Basilica sold for US$435,000 on Monday and the only foal by his stud mate Wootton Bassett (GB) was knocked down for Yen 52 million (AU$478,000).
The only foal by first-season sire Gun Runner in the sale commanded Yen 300 million (AU$2.76 million) to Y’s Consignment Sales, another anonymous buyer, who is understood to manage an investment company. He was consigned by Shunsuke Yoshida and is a half-brother to Grade I Arkansas Derby winner Angel Of Empire (Classic Empire).
“The only foal by first-season sire Gun Runner in the sale commanded Yen 300 million (AU$2.76 million) to Y’s Consignment Sales, another anonymous buyer, who is understood to manage an investment company.”
Harry Sweeney of Paca Paca Farm offered the first ever foal anywhere in the world by Baaeed (GB). Trained by William Haggas on behalf of Shadwell, the European Horse Of The Year in 2022 won six Grade 1s all told. Lot 400 fetched Yen 56 million (AU$516,000) to Cosmo View Farm Ltd.
The following lot provided a smattering of stardust with a Kitasan Black filly out of French 1,000 Guineas winner Dream And Do (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) selling for Yen 200 million (AU$1.84million).
Lot 400 - Baaeed (GB) x Fahan Mura | Image courtesy of the JHRA
While most of the racing on the JRA circuit is on turf, there is still some love for dirt racing in this country and the programme is expanding. Owner Yuji Hasegawa's blue and grey colours have been carried by a number of Group performers on dirt and, in Lot 333, a colt by Logotype (Jpn), he bought an obvious prospect to go down that route Yen 115 million (AU$1.06million) The colt is full-brother to Omega Guinness (Jpn), one of the best dirt performers in Japan.
