Summary of the 2009 JRHA July Select Sale <16th Mar 09>

*Dates
July 13th, Monday-Yearling Session
	Session starts at noon. The pre-sale group-showing is not organized in the morning of the sales day. Buyers can inspect the yearlings at the barn area.

July 14h, Tuesday & July 15th, Wednesday-Foal Session
	Session starts at 11:00a.m. Pre-sale group-showing starts at 8:30a.m.

*Number of lots offered

Approximately 150 yearlings Approximately 300 foals

*Inspection of sale horses

Inspection/Showing times are from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. on July 11th, Saturday & July 12th, Sunday. Please confirm the horse’s arrival time.

*Veterinary Repository

Hours Viewing at Veterinary Repository is available from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. on July 11th Saturday & July 12th, Sunday. On July 13th, Monday, it opens from 9:00a.m. until the end of the sales session.

*To be held at

Northern Horse Park in Tomakomai City

*Conducted by

Japan Race Horse Association<JRHA>

<Service for buyers>

JRHA July Select Sale starts the following new incentive buyers.

*JRHA gives the Premium Service.

If you buy a yearling/foal at JRHA July Select Sale, you will receive a Select Sale Premium when your horse wins the JRA two-year-old graded stakes (including Dirt Graded Races).

Grade	Bonus fee (YEN)
G1(JPN1)	10,000,000
G2(JPN2)	3,000,000
G3(JPN3)	1,000,000

*Premium Service fee will be 1/2 of above for Dirt Graded Races.

*Online service is available for Repository materials.

	Radiographs and the animation of upper respiratory tract for the yearlings can be viewed at JRHA website.
	**The service will start on July 3rd, Friday.

*Walking video is available at JRHA website.

	In addition to the horse’s photo, catalogue pedigree and 3-cross pedigree, the walking video can be viewed at JRHA website.
	**The service will start on July 3rd, Friday.

KANE HEKILI recorded his seventh G1 victory in the Kawasaki Kinen. <28th Jan 09>

 Running the 58th G1 Kawasaki Kinen took place at NAR-Kawasaki Racecourse on January 28th, and the most favorite Kane Hekili partnered with Christophe Lemaire ranged up outside the Masayuki Kawashima's four-year-old Furioso and overtook him in the final strides. The 2002 JRHA Select Sale graduate and a grandson of Sunday Silence had succeeded to be undefeated in three G1 starts and grabbed his seventh G1 win, which is most tie record along with Symboli Rudolf, T M Opera O, Admire Don, Deep Impact and Blue Concorde.
 Purchased for 20,000,000yen by the owner Makoto Kaneko, the seven-year-old Kane Hekili debuted in turf race and had disappointing performances over the surface, but he had been a dramatic change in form when he was shifted to dirt, winning by seventh lengths. He swept the Japan's best dirt races for three-year-olds in Japan Dirt Derby and Derby Grand Prix before winning the Japan Cup Dirt in the same year. Kane Hekili recaptured his Japan Cup Dirt title last year in his second race up after the long layoff of more than two years due to the tendon injury. He also shook off the champion Vermilion in a tenacious rally by side by side in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten last time.

"Champion vs. Champion--the winner was KANE HEKILI in running the 54th G1 Tokyo Daishoten" <29th Dec 08>

 Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii's Kane Hekili came into his own to grab his second straight G1 victories in the Tokyo Daishoten at Oi Racecourse on December 29th.
 Under jockey Christophe Lemaire, the second pick Kane Hekili ranged up outside the field in the final stretch. The favorite Vermilion came close to him, and the two fought the finish out side by side in the final strides, with Kane Hekili eventually going to the line to win by a neck in the end. Furthermore, the seven-year-old horse covered the last three furlongs in a brilliant 35.4 seconds.
 Bred at Northern Farm, Kane Hekili by Fuji Kiseki out of Deputy Minister mare Life Outthere was bought by Makoto Kaneko for 20,000,000Yen in 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale.
 Kane Hekili took his first graded stakes success in the 2005 G3 Unicorn Stakes, and captured three G1 wins in the year including Japan Dirt Derby, Derby Grand Prix and Japan Cup Dirt. He won the G1 February Stakes in 2006 before he was fourth to Electrocutionist in the G1 Dubai World Cup, however he had to sideline over two years because of the tendon injury. Well rested and rejuvenated over the long vacation, Kane Hekili was out to re-establish his place among the elites in the Japan Cup Dirt and displayed his talent to win the race. According to trainer Sumii, Kane Hekili will target the G1 February Stakes (1600m, Tokyo).

The JRHA Select Sale graduate made another history in the 2008 G1 Japan Cup Dirt <08th Dec 08>

 Running the 9th Japan Cup Dirt took place at Hanshin Racecourse for the first time, and Kane Hekili who was purchased at 2002 JRA Select Foal Sale took his second time Japan Cup Dirt title under the French jockey Christophe Lemaire. The six-year-old horse by Fuji Kiseki out of Deputy Minister mare Life Out There shaked off the strong challengers by Meisho Tokon and Vermilion in a tenacious rally side by side and won by a head.
 Bred at Northern Farm, Kane Hekili was purchased for 20,000,000Yen by Makoto Kaneko, and he is trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, a well-known trainer for the brilliant one-two finish in the 2006 G1 Melbourne Cup with Delta Blues and Pop Rock, and 2007 Japanese Derby with Vodka.
 Debuted in 2004, Kane Hekili grabbed the first time graded-race in the G3 Unicorn Stakes before taking second straight G1 victories in the Japan Dirt Derby and Derby Grand Prix in 2005. He became the Japan Cup Dirt champion in 2005 and took the G1 February Stakes in the following season. He was fourth to Electrocutionist in the 2006 G1 Dubai World Cup in March and second in the G1 Teio Sho, however he had to layoff more than two years because of the tendon injury. His first race up since the long vacation was the G3 Musashino Stakes in November, however he was sandwiched badly and eventually finished ninth. The lifetime records of Kane Hekili are 16-9-2-0-5.

OKEN BRUCE LEE gained the classic title in the G1 Kikka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) <27th Oct 08>

 JRHA Select Sale graduate, Oken Bruce Lee proved his favoritism and claimed his first classic title in the final leg of the triple crown race, the Kikka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) over 3000m turf at Kyoto Racecourse on October 26th.
 Oken Bruce Lee who was a son of Jungle Pocket was purchased by Akira Fukui for 30,000,000yen at 2005 JRHA July Select Sale. He was the first foal that Fukui bought in the JRHA July Select Sale, so "Oken Bruce Lee" came from Fukui's favorite actor "Bruce Lee".
 Oken Bruce Lee debuted six days after the first leg of the triple crown, Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) and took his first win seven days after the Japanese Derby. However, trainer Hidetaka Otonashi made his decision to aim at the final leg of the 3yo classic when he saw the horse's performance in Aganogawa Tokubetsu, the middle-class stakes race in August. Oken Bruce Lee showed a powerful turn of foot in the following trial, G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai as well, and he finished 0.1 second behind the Japanese Derby winner Deep Sky and was qualified to the final leg of the triple crown.
 The runner-up Flotation is another JRHA July Select Sale graduate. He is purchased by Hiroyoshi Usuda for 52,000,000yen at 2005 JRHA July Select Sale. The Special Week colt who was sent to 15th pick traveled from even last turning for home, but accelerated brilliantly in the stretch to finish second. Oken Bruce Lee will run the G1 Japan Cup on November 30th, according to trainer Otonashi.

<Day#3, JRHA Select Foal Sale> <15th Jul 08>

 Takaya Shimakawa, the Sendai-based businessman who runs natural foods company, paid 100,000,000yen to secure the colt by Deep Impact out of Mill Grain.
 This is the lot which I like the most in the catalogue" said Shimakawa about the brother to Fine Grain, the winner of G1/Takamatsuomiya Kinen in March this year. Mill Grain is the own sister to Pure Grain, the winner of the Irish Oaks.
 When I visited Shadai Farm to inspect their consignments, I fell in love with this colt, and Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm strongly reommended this colt, saying this is one of the best Deep Impact. I have determined to buy him". Shimakawa also said the trainer who trains this colt is not decided.
 The gross sale on Wednesday, 2,867,500,000yen, is 14.0% decline, and the average price on Wednesday, 29,260,204 yen, is 5.2% decline, as compared with the figure of Wednesday last year. The buy-back rate on Wednesday is 34.2%, which saw significant rise from the last year's 23.4%.
 The total sale of foals session, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, 7,339,000,000yen, is 11.5% decline, and the average price of foal session, 33,058,558yen, is 4.3% decline, as compared with the last year's foal session. The buy-back rate at the foal session is 29.3% while it was 24.3% last year.
 And over all sale during three days at the 2008 JRHA July Sale, 9,686,600,000yen, is 16.3% decline, and the average price for three days, 29,622,630yen, is 10.9% decline, as compared with the last year. The buy-back rate through three days is 29.7%, while it was 25.5% last year.
 It is solid market", said Teruya Yoshida, vice chairman of the Japan Racing Horse Association. "In other words, it is the acceptable result, under the current circumstances of business in Japan and all over the world. I am very happy to see the quality of Japanese-breds is very high now, and I am also happy to see more than 500,000,000yen was put into this market by the buyers from forign countires. I am quite confident the horses who will be exported to the countries of the buyers will run well there, and I hope they will encourage more buyers to come from foreign countries at this morket in near future."

<Day#2, JRHA Select Foal Sale> <15th Jul 08>

 Takaya Shimakawa paid 220,000,000yen to buy Hip#242, a colt by Deep Impact out of Biwa Heidi at the second session of Japan Racing Horse Association's July Select Sale, conducted at Northern Horse Park on Tuesday.
 Biwa Heidi is the Champion 2-y-o filly in Japan in 1995, and has produced two Graded Stakes winners as the broodmare.
 Many of my friends and advisers suggested me this is the horse to buy today," said Takaya Shimakawa after the purchase. "The price is more than I thought. I thought I would not go further than 200 million yen, but something pushed my back." Shimakawa also said he has not decided which trainer would train him. Riichi Kondo was the under-bidder.
 On Tuesday, 18 foals of Deep Impact were offered and all of them were sold. On Tuesday, five lots were bought for more than 100 million yen, and three of them are the first crop by Deep Impact.
 A big buyer who did not buy an offspring by Deep Impact was John Ferguson, representing Darley Japan. John Ferguson bought seven foals and four of them are foals by Agnes Tachyon, the current leading sire in Japan.
 I do not intend to avoid Deep Impact", said John Ferguson. "I understand Deep Impact is the great horse and great stallion prospect, while Agnes Tachyon is the proven sire. I am just more confident to buy Agnes Tachyon than Deep Impact at this stage".
 The biggest purchase by John Ferguson on Tuesday is Hip#319, own sister to Vodka, the filly who won the Japanese Derby beating colts in 2007, who cost 105,000,000yen.
 I understand Vodka is one of the best filly in training in the world. The hip319 is a full sister to Vodka, and she should be very very valuable as the future broodmare. I do not know yet where she is going to run, but she should be top class horse at any place."
 The gross sale on Tuesday is 4,471,500,000yen, which is 9.8% decline, and the average price 36,060,483yen is 4.0% decline, as compared with the Tuesday's session of last year.
 The third and final session of the JRHA Sale will start at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

<Day#1, JRHA Select Foal Sale> <14th Jul 08>

 Mr.Riichi Kondo spent 245,000,000yen to secure the brother to Kurofune, the winner ofG1/Japan Cup Dirt, and Bella Bellucci, MGSW in USA, at the opening session of the JRHA July Select Sale conducted on Monday at Northern Horse Park.
 The colt is by Agnes Tachyon, the current leading sire in Japan, and is consigned by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm.
 245,000,000yen is slightly lower than the record price of yearling session, however, as it is converted to US dollor, $2,289,719 is the new record price at the yearling session.
 This is the pick of day", Riichi Kondo said about the colt after the purchase. "When I inspected all lots at Northern Farm three weeks ago, I am so much impressed with his walking, which is fantastic. Then, I saw him again a week ago and I am determined I must buy him.
 Asked about who is going to train the colt, Kondo said, "I am using 14 to 15 trainers. I am going to send this colt to the trainer, who will earn the most for me, from today until the Derby day in 2009. This is a kind of prize to the trainer.
 Notable new face at the sale is Mr.Nathan Tinkler from Australia. The prominent buyer at the sales at his home nation attended at the JRHA Sale for the first time and bought 3 lots for total sum of 96,500,000yen under the name of Patinack Farm.
 Mr.Tinkler, who hopes to establish his racing operarion all over the world, plans to make his purchases at the Keeneland September and the Tattersalls October later the year.
 The total sale of the opening session, 2,347,600,000yen, is 28.5% decline, and the average price 22,358,095yen is 26.4% decline, as compared with the previous year. And the buy-back rate 30.5% is slightly higher than the last year's 28.0%.
 As we consider the general economy in this country, this is the figures we expected", said Teruya Yoshida, the vice chairman of the JRHA. He continued, "I am happy with the quality of yearlings offered today, and I believe the buyers should be happy with the horses they bought. As far as they are happy, I believe they will come back at this market.
 Tuesday's foal session starts at 11:00a.m. at the Northern Horse Park.

163 yearlings and 336 foals are catalogued.
Index for 2008 sake is now available. <28th May 08>

  Please get into index and catalogue from this page.

ASIAN WINDS takes Victoria Mile <19th May 08>

 The Japan Racing Horse Association's July Select Sale produced another G1 winner on May 18th.
The Victoria Mile, Graded One event for fillies and mares at Tokyo Racecourse, went to Asian Winds, bought by Yoshimi Ota at the 2004 July Select Sale for 18,000,000yen.
 Hideaki Fujiwara, JRA trainer based at Ritto Training Center, fell in love with the filly by Fuji Kiseki as he looked her at Shadai Farm for the first time and recommended Yoshimi Ota, long-time client for Fujiwara, to buy her at the JRHA Sale.
 Fujiwara understood this filly would be late-developed horse and gave her very light campaign as she was three.
 Fujiwara thought she is matured enough to compete in the top class as she became four, and Asian Winds won the G2/Hanshin Himba Stakes on April 12th, last time out.
 Asian Winds’ sire Fuji Kiseki by Sunday Silence is having fantastic season this year. Asian Winds is the third Graded One Stakes winner sired by Fuji Kiseki this year, after Sun Classique, the winner of G1/Dubai Duty Free, and Pure Grain, the winner of G1/Takamatsunomiya Kinen.
 Asian Winds will head to America to run the G2/Cash Call Mile at Hollywood Park on July 5th.

ADMIRE JUPITER is honored Emperor's Cup <07th May 08>

 The spring edition of the prestigious Emperor's Cup, the Graded One Stakes over two miles at Kyoto Racecourse's grass course on May 4th, was won by Admire Jupiter, the JRHA July Sale's graduate.
 Admire Jupiter was widely recognized as the prospective Classic winner in prior to the Triple Crown in 2006, however, a leg fracture forced him to sideline for 16 months. He returned to the track last summer, and captured the first Graded Stakes as he won G2/Copa Republica Argentina in November at Tokyo, while keeping a coupe of screws in his leg. The talented son of French Deputy proved that he has enough stamina to compete on the Emperor's Cup, as he won the G2/Hanshin Daishoten over 15 furlongs at Hanshin in March last time out.
 It was the ding-dong battle between Admire Jupiter and Meisho Samson, who tried to complete the back-to-back win of this race, throughout the homestretch, and Admire Jupiter was a nose ahead of Meisho Samson as the pair passed the finishing line.
 Admire Jupiter was bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and bought by Riichi Kondo at the 2003 JRHA Select July Sale for 41,000,000yen. While Admire Jupiter is now eligible to run the Melbourne Cup in November at Flemington, he will stay at home this year and may try the Sheema Classic in Dubai in 2009, according to Riichi Kondo.

Summary of the 2008 JRHA July Select Sale <07th Mar 08>

Dates
July 14th, Monday, Yearling Session
 *Session starts at noon,

Two JRHA graduates received JRA Award <08th Jan 08>

 The 2007 JRA Awards is announced and Admire Moon, the graduate of JRHA Select Sale, is awarded as the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2008.
 In addition to G1/Takarazuka Kinen and G1/Japan Cup, the most important and prestigious two events in the racing calendar in Japan, Admire Moon went to Dubai in March and captured G1/Dubai Duty Free, beating the top class horses from all over the world. His performance was regarded highly at the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Ranking, published at the same time as the JRA Awards, in which Admire Moon ranked the seventh best among all racehorses in the world.
 Admire Moon carried the silk of Riichi Kondo, who bought Admire Moon at the 2003 JRHA Select Sale from Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, as he won the Dubai Duty Free and the Takarazuka Kinen, and then wore the color of Darley Japan Farm, which acquired the major steak of Admire Moon as the future stallion standing there, as he won the Japan Cup.
 Apart from Admire Moon, Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>'s Select Sale produced another winner of 2007 JRA Awards.
 Asakusa Kings, the winner of G1/Kikka Sho, the Japanese St.Leger, is named as the Japanese Champion 3-y-o colt.
 Asakusa Kings is owned by Keiko Tahara, whose late-husband Genichiro Tahara bought him from Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm at the 2004 JRHA Select Sale. Asakusa Kings, trained by Ryuji Okubo, finished second to Vodka in the Japanese Derby in May, and then, took the final leg of Japanese Triple Crown in October.
 The official handicappers gave him the rating 115 to his performance in the Kikka Sho, and recognize him as the Champion 3-y-o Stayer in 2007. Asakusa Kings is kept in training in 2008.

ADMIRE MOON won Japan Cup and retired <26th Nov 07>

 Admire Moon, bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm and sold to Riichi Kondo at the 2003 JRHA Select Sale for 16,000,000yen, won the G1/Japan Cup on November 25th at Tokyo impressively.
 After the G1/Takarazuka Kinen in June, Riichi Kondo received the offer from Sheikh Mohammed and Admire Moon was sold to Darley Japan Farm, the Sheihk Mohammed's breeding operation in Japan, for 4 billion Yen. Admire Moon carried the purple silk of Darley Japan Farm in two outings in autumn. The G1/Emperor's Cup Autumn in October found a shape in rough race, where many runners including Admire Moon could not have clear run, and he finished disappointing sixth. However, Admire Moon bounced up at the top in the G1/Japan Cup, defeating the quality field which included top local horses, such as Meisho Samson, Pop Rock, Vodka, and Delta Blues, and the strong foreign raiders, such as Saddex from Germany, Papal Bull from U.K, and Artiste Royale from U.S.A.
 Japan Cup was the third Graded One Stakes Admire Moon won, after G1/Dubai Duty Free in March at Nad Al Sheba and G1/Takarazuka Kinen in June at Hanshin.
 Admire Moon has run his last race, and was send to the Darley Japan Farm in Monbetsu, Hokkaido, where he will start his stud duty from 2008, and his stud fee is announced as 5 million Yen.

Another Classic winner from JRHA <22th Oct 07>

 The final leg of the 3-y-o triple crown G1/Kikka Sho, Japanese St/Leger, ran at Kyoto Racecourse on October 21st, was won by Asakusa Kings, who was bought by late Genichiro Tahara at the 2004 JRHA Select Foals Sale for 71,000,000yen, approximately US$657,000 at the exchange rate of the sale’s date.
 Asakusa Kings by White Muzzle, trained by Ryuji Okubo at Ritto, was runner-up to Vodka in the Japanese Derby in May, and was supported as the 74 ? 10 fourth favorite by the punters in the 18 runners’ field of the Kikka Sho.
 After broke the gate well, Asakusa Kings was settled well at the fifth position by the jockey Hirofumi Shii, hit the front at the top of the stretch, and held of the late challenge by Al Nasrain.
 Asakusa Kings has now earned more than 300 million yen, US$2.5 millions.
 It is expected Asakusa Kings will be representing the home nation at the Japan Cup, on November 25th at Tokyo. Asakusa Kings was bred and consigned at the sale by Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm.

Day#3 at JRHA 2007, the second foal session <11th Jul 07>

 It was the tendency of the JRHA Select Sale in the past that the catalogue of the second day of foals' session is slightly weaker than the first day. However, it is not true at the 2007 edition of the JRHA Select Sale, where six lots were sold for more than 100 million yen on the second day, while only three lots surpassed the bar of 100 million on the first day.
 The first excitement of the day was seen as Hip No.389, a colt by King Kamehameha, was sent on the sales ring. The half brother to Flying Apple, the winner of this year's G2/Spring Stakes, was bought by Masahiro Noda of Danox Co.Ltd., for 108,000,000yen. While Flying Apple is the America-bred and bought by a Japanese interest at the Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale, the foal of 2007 is the Japanese-bred, because the dam, Roza Robata, the MGSW in USA, was imported to Japan by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm as she was in foal to Vindication in 2004.
 Yoshimi Ichikawa, who was the under-bidder to the sales topper both on Monday and Tuesday, was finaly able to send his winning bid to the auctionner through Yoshiomi Onizuka of Rohill Thoroughbred Management, as the Hip No.407 was sold for 135,000,000yen. The colt by Kurofune out of Fusaichi Airedare, the MGSW in Japan, is a full brother to Fusaichi Richard, the 2-y-o Champion in Japan in 2005. and it is likely that the colt will be trained by Toshiaki Shirai at Ritto Training Center.
 Nobutaka Tada, a Tokyo-based bloodstock agent who made a history as he signed the ticket of the filly out of To the Victory for 600,000,000yen, the world record price for foals, at the 2006 JRHA Sale, bought the Hip No.421, a colt by Kingmambo for 110,000,000yen. While standing in Kentucky, Kingmambo has been sending many successful runners in Japan, including El Condor Pasa, the Japanese Horse of the Year in 1999, and the colt is expected to add anotnher remarkable record for his sire in Japan.
 Hip No.428, a colt by Manhattan Cafe out of Daring Danzig, has the black-type from the United States and Japan in his close family, as Ecton Park, the winner of G1/Super Derby, is his older brother, and Darling Heart, who finished second in the G1/NHK Mile Cup, is his older sister. The colt with attractive pedigree is consigned by Terry Yoshida of Shadai Farm and bought by Takaya Shimakwa for 102,000,000yen.
 The family of Rustic Belle has brought so much profit on to Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, and Hip No.434 has become the newest sample of that. The Agnes Tachyon colt out of Rustic Belle, a brother to Fusaichi Airedare, the MGSW herself and the dam of Fusaichi Richard, the 2-y-o Champion in Japan in 2005, was bought by Takaya Shimakawa of JHS Ltd for 155,000,000yen.
 The roster of the freshman sires in Japan in 2006 was very exciting, and one of the remarkable name in the roster was Zenno Rob Roy, the Japanese Horse of the Year and was runner-up to Electrocutionist in the G1/International S at York. The Hip No.469, a colt out of Argentine Star, consigned by Shadai Farm, is one of the first crop by Zenno Rob Roy, and bought by 10,000,000yen, by Nobutaka Tada. While Tada did not disclse the name of the client as usual, it is supposed the colt is bought for the owner who bought the 600 million yen filly at the 2006 JRHA Sale.
 Tha gross sales of the day, 3,334,500,000yen, is 4.9% more than the same day at 2006 Sale, and the average price of the day, 30,875,000yen, shows a slight increase as compared with the last year's figure. The buy-back rate of the day, 23.4%, is much better than the last year's rate, 27.9%
 The gross sales of the two days' foals' session, 8,292,500,000yen, is 0.5% down of the 2006, and the average price of the foals' session, 34,552,083yen, is 8.4% down of the 2006.
  The buy-back rate of the foals' session, 24.2%, is better than the previous year's figure, 27.3%.
 Total sales of the three days' session of 2007 JRHA July Select Sale, 11,576,900,000yen, is 1.5% down of the previous year, and the average price of the three days' session, 33,266,954yen, is 6.6% down of the previous year, while the overall buy-back rate, 25.4%, is much better than the rate in 2006, 29.6%
 Teruya Yoshida, the vice chairman of the Japan Racing Horse Association said of this year's sale, "This is good and consistant sale. The middle market was very strong and I have the feeling that the middle market was widely supported by new comers at the sale. The existence of those new buyers is very important. The lots with beautiful pedigree and the lots with wonderful confirmation were both sold well, and I am very happy with that. The catalogue of next year will be featuring the first crop by Deep Impact, and I do believe it will attract" more buyers from all over the world."

Day#2 at JRHA 2007, the first foal session <10th Jul 07>

 Riichi Kondo, who was featured in the headline on newspapers of the morning as the buyer of yearling sold for the Japanese record price on the first day of JRHA Sale, came under the spotlight again on Tuesday at the second day of 2007 JRHA July Sale.
 The Hip.No262, a colt by King Kamehameha out of Must Be Loved, created a much heated battle, which included various names familier for the market watchers, such as Osamu Hirata and Masahiro Noda. In the end, noboby tried to outbid the Riichi Kondo's call of 155,000,000yen, and Kondo got the half bother to Rhein Kraft, the winner of G1/Oka Sho, the Japanese 1000 Guineas.
 The ding-dong battle performed for the sale topper on Monday was created again for the sale topper on Tuesday. Riichi Kondo, who bought a yearling colt half bother to Admire Moon on Monday for 250,000,000yen, bought a foal colt half brother to Admire Moon on Tuesday for 300,000,000yen. Yoshimi Ichikawa, who was the under-bidder for the highest price yearling by French Deputy on Monday, was again the underbidder for the highest price foal by Kurofune on Tuesday. Riichi Kondo said the colt will be trained by Hiroyoshi Matsuda at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto.
 The highest price filly of the day was the Hip No.312, a half sister to The Deputy, the winner of G1/Santa Anita Derby, and to King Kamehameha, the winner of G1/Japanese Derby. The filly by Agnes Tachyon was consigned by Northern Racing, and bought by The Grand Prix Ltd, the publisher of the teaching materials owned by Kitagawa Family based at Osaka, for 120,000,000yen.
 The gross sales of the day, 4,958,000,000yen, is 3.9% down of the previous year, and the average price 37,560,606yen is 14.1% down of the previous year. On the other hand, the buyback rate of the day, 25.0%, is better than the previous year's 26.7%.
 The third and final session of JRHA July Sale starts at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Day#1 at JRHA 2007, Yearling Session <09th Jul 07>

 The first wireworks on the first day of JRHA's July Select Sale was made as the Hip.31, a gray colt by Kurofune out of Fusaichi Airedale, went through the sales ring. The full brother to Fusaichi Richard, the 2-y-o Champion in Japan in 2005, was bought by Yoshiomi Onizuka of Rosehill Thoroughbred Management, the Hokkaido-based bloodstock agency, for 14,000,000yen. Onizuka is not willing to disclose the name of his client.
 The dam Fusaichi Airedare is the winner of four Graded Stakes, in addition to finishing second in the Japanese 1000 Guineas, and has produced Lailaps, the winner of G3/Queen Cup.
 It is likely that the colt will be trained by Noriyuki Hori at Miho Training Center.
 It had been the talk at the stable area in prior to the sale that the best looking individual on the Day#1 should be the Hip No.43, a colt by Jungle Pocket out of Every Whisper. The smashing colt brought up the final bid of 170,000,000yen, which was made by Takaya Shimakawa of JHS Ltd, the Sendai-based business man who is running the healthy food providing company. Shimakawa currently owns Tosen Caption, a 3-y-o colt by Jungle Pocket who was at once the ante-post Derby favorite earlier this year.
 Tosen Caption suffered an injury and could not run the Derby, though, Shimakawa's dream to win the Derby will be carried by another son of Jungle Pocket.
 Half an hour after Makoto Kaneko played the role of the under-bidder for Hip No.43, Kaneko found a yearling to buy as the Hip No.52 was brought into the sales ring. The colt by Dance in the Dark, out of Air Groove, the Japanese Horse of the Year winning the G1/Emperor's Cup, was bought by Kaneko for 245,000,000yen, which is the new record price at the yearling session of JRHA Select July Sale. The previous record was 205,000,000yen, established last year as a colt by Pivotal was bought by Globe Equine Maganement. Makoto Kaneko has enjoyed a lot of success through the purchases at the JRHA Sale, including Deep Impact, whom Kaneko bought at the 2002 editionof the sale.
 The above record price did not stay for long and another new record was established as Hip No.117, a colt by French Deputy out of My Katies, went up on the sales ring. He is a brother to Admire Moon, the winner of G1/Dubai Duty Free and G1/Takarazuka Kinen earlier this year, and it is proved that the younger bother will wear the same silk as his older brother after Riichi Kondo won the battle to get this colt. The final and winning bid made by Kondo was 250,000,000yen, and it means he is the first yearling sold for more than US$2 million and 1 million sterling pounds at the JRHA's market. Hiroyoshi Matsuda, who is training Admire Moon, will train the brother as well.
 On the first day of 2007 JRHA Select July Sale, 108 lots were sold for total sales of 3,284,400,000yen, which is 3.7% down of the previous year, and the average price, 30,411,111yen, is 2.9% down of the 2006. On the other hand, the buy-back rate 28.3% is much better than the 33.9%, marked last year.
 The second session of the sale and the first foal session, will start at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Northern Horse Park.

ADMIRE MOON blew up the quality field of G1/Takarazuka Kinen <25th Jun 07>

 Admire Moon, the graduate of Japan Racing Horse Association’s July Select Sale, took the
G1/Takarazuka Kinen, the equivalent of King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Japan,taken place on June 24th at Hanshin Racecourse.
 This year's G1/Takarazuka Kinen is widely recognized as the best field in its 48 years'history,which included two Derby winners, Meisho Samson who won the Japan Derby in 2006,and Vodka,a three-year-old filly who captured this year's Derby for the first time as a filly in 64 years, Shadow Gate and Cosmo Bulk, the one-two finishers in G1/Singapore International Cup in May, Pop Rock, the second finisher in the G1/Melbourne Cup last November, Daiwa Major, the winner of four G1s including G1/Yasuda Kinen last time out, Kawakami Princess, the Japanese Oaks winner in 2006,and Admire Moon, the winner of G1/Dubai Duty Free in March at Nad Al Sheba.
 As the Vodka, the 5 to 2 betting favorite, could not handle the cutting ground of the day, the final stage of race created the ding-dong battle between Meisho Samson, the 32 to 10 second favorite, and Admire Moon, the 57 to 10 third choice by the punters, and Admire Moon was brave enough to precede Meisho Samson for half a length at the wire.
 Admire Moon by End Sweep was bred by Northern Racing and sold to Mr.Riichi Kondo at the 2003 JRHA Select Sale for 16,000,000yen, approximately $133,000. Admire Moon has now earned 933,950.000yen, which is more than 50 times of his purchased price.

JRHA catalogues 157 yearlings and 329 foals for Select Sale<25th May 07>

 Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>, the organizer of the Select Sale, has announced that 157 yearlings are catalogued, in addition to 329 foals, during the three-days session of the 2007 Select Sale, starting on Monday July 9th.
 The superiority of Japanese-breds are proved here and there in the world, by following great runners.
  Please get into index and catalogue from this page.

 The welcome cocktail commences at 6:00p.m.on Sunday 8th at Northern Horse Park.

 For catalogues and travel information, please contact....

Japanese finished one-two in the Singapore International Cup <23th May 07>

 It was only six months ago when Delta Blues and Pop Rock achieved the terrific one-two in the Melbourne Cup, and the superiority of Japanese runners was proved again at the international event, as Shadow Gate and Cosmo Bulk occupied the first and second spot in the G1/Singapore Airline International Cup at Kranji on May 20th.
 While Cosmo Bulk, who tried to complete the back-to-back win of the race, was certainly brave enough to devastate the 14 runners’ field, which included the top class horses from South Africa, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, and the home nation Singapore, far more impressive this year was Shadow Gate, owned by Tomokazu Iizuka and trained by Yukihiro Kato. This late developed horse won his first Graded Stake as he captured the G3/Nakayama Kimpai earlier this year, and proved that he is the contender in the highest class as he finished second to Meisho Samson, a duel classic winner in Japan in 2006, in the G2/Osaka Hai last time out on April 1st.
 Settled after the pacesetters by Katsuharu Tanaka, Shadow Gate enjoyed the trip and delivered the
strongest challenge on the homestretch to gain his first Graded One victory.
 Shadow Gate is a five-year-old horse by White Muzzle, bred by Teruya Yoshida of Shadai Farm.
Six colts and one filly by White Muzzle are catalogued in the yearling session of the 2007 JRHA July Select Sale.

Another G1 success by JRHA graduate at Tokyo <07th May 07>

 G1/NHK Mile Cup, the race recognized as the “Japanese Guineas”, took place at Tokyo Racecourse on May 6th, and created a huge upset by the graduate of JRHA Select Sale.
 The winner of the one mile contest for three-year-olds was Pink Cameo, one of only two fillies in the eighteen runners' field. Pink Cameo by French Deputy was born at Paca Paca Farm in Hokkaido on April 24th 2004, and sold to Makoto Kaneko at the 2004 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 71,000,000yen.
 Pink Cameo, trained by Sakae Kunieda at Miho Training Center, made the successful debut winning the maiden at Fukushima on July 1st 2006, and returned to the winners' circle as she won the Kurumi Sho, stakes race of graduation class, at Tokyo on October 29th 2006, which was her third outing. On January 20th 2007 at Nakayama, Pink Cameo captured LR/Nanohana Stakes as well.
 However, as she was well beaten twice in the stakes with the premier grade, G1/Hanshin Juvenile Fillies on December 3rd 2006 and G1/Oka Sho, Japanese 1000 Guineas, on April 8th 2007, Pink Cameo was not supported by punters well in the G1/NHK Mile Cup and her starting price there was 75 to 1.
 Pink Cameo was settled at the rear of the field by Hiroyuki Uchida, and delivered the most impressive turn of foot on the homestretch..
 Pink Cameo is out of Silver Lane, the winner of G2/Prix de la Grotte, and is a half sister to Black Hawk, who has won the G1/Sprinters Stakes and the G1/Yasuda Kinen for the same owner and trainer as Pink Cameo.

ADMIRE MOON bathed at Arabian Night <02nd Apl 07>

 Admire Moon, one of eight Japanese representatives at the 2007 Dubai International Race Day on March 31st, was the most fascinating in the 16 runners' field of the G1/Dubai Duty Free, which carried the total purse of 5 million dollars, and captured his first Graded One win at Nad Al Sheba.
 The Duty Free was the most international race on the card, which contained the thoroughbreds bred in eight different countries and the runners trained at eight different countries from all over the world. For example, the United States has sent Lava Man, the six times G1 winning dynamo and the best horse at the West Coast, and Miesque's Approval, the winner of '06 Breeders' Cup Mile. Stormy River, the winner of G1/Prix Jean Prat, looked holding the best chance for Europeans, and Pompeii Ruler, the winner of G1/Australian Cup, was carrying a high hope by Australians. And Daiwa Major, the winner the G1/Japanese 2000 Guineas and G1/Emperor's Cup Autumn, was very keen to complete the one-two finish by Japanese-trained horses with Admire Moon.
 Ridden by Yutaka Take, Admire Moon by End Sweep broke the gate well and settled in the mid of field smoothly. Admire Moon and Yutaka Take hit the front at the two-furlong pole, which was a bit sooner than his usual running style, but he was strong enough to hold the late challenge by Linngari.
 Winning owner Riichi Kondo, who bought Admire Moon at 2003 JRHA Select Sale for 16,000,000yen, approximately $133,000, was totally overcome with joy, after his Admire Moon earned $3,000,000 through the race for 1 minute 47.94 seconds. Admire Moon was bred by Northern Racing, and has been trained by Hiroyoshi Matsuda at Ritto Training Center.
 Admire moon will travel from Dubai to Hong Kong to compete in the G1/Queen Elizabeth Second Cup at Sha Tin on April 29th, according to Riichi Kondo.

Summary of the 2007 JRHA July Select Sale <06th Mar 07>

 Dates
July 9th, Monday, Yearling Session
 *Session starts at noon,
 *Buyers can inspect the yearlings at the barn area, while the pre-sale exhibition is not organized in the morning July 10th, Tuesday & July 11th Wednesday, Foal Session
 *Session starts at 11:00a.m.
 *Pre-sale inspection starts at 8:30a.m.

Inspection of sale horses
 *Showing/Inspection times are from 9:00a.m.to 5:00p.m.on July 7th Saturday and July 8th Sunday
 *Horses in the sale are required to be in their assigned barn by 9:00a.m. July 8th, Sunday

Veterinary Repository
 *Viewing at the Veterinary Repository is available from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.on July 7th Saturday and July 8th Sunday.
 On July 9th Monday, it opens from 9:00a.m.until the end of sales session

To be held at
 *Northern Horse Park, Tomakomai City

Conducted by
 *Japan Race Horse Association<JRHA>

DEEP IMPACT named JRA's Horse of the Year <10th Jan 07>

 Deep Impact was elected as the Japan's Horse of the Year for the second straight season. The Japanese super star was totally unchallenged in the voting, taking 287 out of 289 ballots. He is only the fifth horse to be awarded as the Horse of the Year in two consecutive years, after Shinzan ('64 & '65), Hoyo Boy ('80 & '81), Symboli Rudolf ('84 & '85) and Symboli Kris S ('02 & '03). Deep Impact was name as the Champion Older Horse as well.
 In 2006, Deep Impact started six times, and won five races decisively, including four graded stakes with the premier grade, the Spring edition of G1/Emperor's Cup, G1/Takarazuka Kinen, G1/Japan Cup, an G1/Arima Kinen. According to the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Ranking, Deep Impact earned the official rating of 127 as he won Arima Kinen, and was recognized as the world's top ranked turf performer in 2006.
 Deep Impact, by Sunday Silence, out of Wind in Her Hair, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida at Northern Farm, and sold to Makoto Kaneko at the JRHA Select July Sale for 70,000,000yen. Under the care of Yasuo Ikee throughout his career, Deep Impact won 12 races and earned 1,454,551,000yen. Yutaka Take piloted Deep Impact at all his 14 starts.
 Deep Impact starts his stud duty at Shadai Stallion Station, and his first crop should be included in the catalogue of JRHA sale in 2008.

Last flight left the deepest impact <25th Dec 06>

 It was the final career start for the Japanese super horse Deep Impact, and the last one was the best one. Deep Impact won the G1/Arima Kinen, the year-end championship in Japan on December 24th at Nakayama Racecourse by three lengths, and concluded his career on a tremendous high.
 The 1 to 5 red hot favorite, Deep Impact was settled by his regular rider Yutaka Take at therear of the 14 runners' field immediately after the gate opened, and the 4-y-o colt by Sunday Silence looked enjoying his last race. As the field passed the three furlongs pole, Yutaka Take gave the signal to fly, and then, within a second, Deep Impact spread his invisible wings. Hiroyuki Uchida, the rider of Dream Passport, the 12 to 1 second favorite, described after the race, "I felt a gale on my back suddenly. Then, I saw the gale was wearing Makoto Kaneko's silk". Deep Impact covered the last three furlongs for 33.8 seconds, and collected his seventh G1.
 Deep Impact is bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and bought by Makoto Kaneko for 70,000,000yen at the 2002 JRHA Select July Sale. Trained by Yasuo Ikee at JRA Ritto Training Center, Deep Impact won 12 races from 14 starts, and his total earning is 1,454,551,000yen.
 Deep Impact will start his stud duty at Shadai Stallion Station near Chitose Airport, and his first foals should be in the catalogue of JRHA Select July Sale in 2008.

DEEP IMPACT collected his sixth G1 win <27th Nov 06>

 Deep Impact scored the decisive two-length victory in the 26th running of Japan Cup on November 26th at Fuchu and shut down the noisy dispute happened after the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe.
 It was the smallest field ever seen in the history of Japan Cup, but also was very quality field, which was including Ouija Board, the two times winner of the Cartier Award European Horse of the Year, Heart's Cry, the winner of Sheema Classic in March and was narrowly beaten by great Montjeu in the King George in July, Cosmo Bulk, the easy winner of the International Cup at Singapore in May, and Meisho Samson, the duel classic winner at the host country in 2006.
 But it resulted in the one-man show of Deep Impact, who displayed his own unique last-to-first flying performance in front of the audience of 120,000 people, who were moved to see their hero could come back to create his true form.
 Deep Impact is bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and sold to Makoto Kaneko at the JRHA Select Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen. Deep Impact is scheduled to retire by the end of this season, and Arima Kinen, the year-end championship race in Japan on the Christmas Eve at Nakayama, will be his swan song.

PANDORA was opened and happiness ran over <13th Nov 06>

 The G1/Queen Elizabeth Commemorative Cup, the championship race for fillies and mares in Japan took place at Kyoto Racecourse on Sunday November 12th, and JRHA Select Sale's graduate Fusaichi Pandora ascended the throne as the Queen of racing in Japan.
 Fusaichi Pandora was bred as one of the last crop by Sunday Silence by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm and sold to Fusao Sekiguchi at the 2003 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 87,000,000yen, which was converted to US$736,041 at the exchange rate on the sale's date.
 The 3-y-o filly out of Lotta Lace, who is a sister to two champions in Europe, El Gran Senor and Try My Best, has been trained by Toshiaki Shirai, one of the leading trainer at Ritto Training Center,and had run quite well in the top caliber. For example, Fusaichi Pandora had run the Graded One Stakes four times and placed at three occasions. On December 4th 2005, she finished 3rd in G1/Hanshin Juvenile Fillies, the championship race for 2-y-o fillies in Japan, finished 2nd in the G1/Japanese Oaks on May 21st this year, and finished 3rd in G1/Shuka Sho, the final leg of the fillies' triple crown in Japan on October 15th, which was her last time out.
 As it was the first time for Fusaichi Pandora to compete with older mares, she was 25.2 to 1 shot in the field of 15 runners, and ran bravely finishing second to Kawakami Princess. Then, the stewards' inquiry was announced and Fusaichi Pandora was promoted to the 1st place, as Kawakami Princess was disqualified due to causing the interference
 This is the first Graded Stakes she collected, and her total earning has become 93,528,000yen now.
 It is reported that Fusaichi Pandora will run G1/Japan Cup on November 26th at Tokyo.

DELTA BLUES captured Melbourne Cup <08th Nov 06>

 What a fantastic year for Japanese racing and Japanese breeders. Following the success of Heart's Cry in the Sheema Classic in March at Dubai, Cosmo Bulk in the International Cup in May at Singapore, and Dance in the Mood in the Cash Call Mile in July at USA, Delta Blues collected another triumph on November 7th at Flemington, winning the G1/Melboune Cup, the most prestigious sports event in the Down Under. And a horse who was narrowly beaten by Delta Blues there was another Japanese runner Pop Rock.
 Delta Blues by Dance in the Dark, bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm and owned by Sunday Racing Ltd Syndicate, is the winner of Kikka Sho, Japanese St Leger, in 2004. The series of training setback prevented him to get another G1 in 2005, however, his conditioner Katsuhiko Sumii has had the Melbourne Cup as the long-term target for Delta Blues as he became five-year-old and did a great job, as he did when he won American Oaks with his Cesario in the July of 2005 and he won Hong Kong Mile with his Hat Trick in the December of 2005.
 The winner's Sire, Dance in the Dark is also Japanese-bred and standing at Shadai Stallion Station since 1997. Dance in the Dark has produced three G1 winners including Delta Blues so far, namely That's The Plenty, the winner of Japanese St Leger in 2003 and Tsurumaru Boy, the winner of Yasuda Kinen over one mile in 2004.
 At the yearling session of the 2006 JRHA Select Sale, six lots by Dance in the Dark were sold, and the average price was 30,083,333yen, approximately US$250,000. Delta Blues' career earning is now US$5.72 millions.

MAN OF PURSER took the Grand Prix at Morioka <19th Sep 06>

 JRHA Select Sale has send another G1 winner who was bought for very reasonable price.
 As the colt by Tayasu Tsuyoshi, bred and consigned by Shadai Farm, was bought by Yoshitaka Suzuki at the 2003 JRHA Select Sale, his price 18,500,000yen, $155,000, was the 122ed highest among 211 lots were sold, and it was not only below the average price, but also below the median price of the sale. The total earning of the colt, who is named as Man of Purser, is now 94,310,000yen after he won G1/Derby Grand Prix at Morioka on September 18th.
 The 2006 edition of the Derby Grand Prix, the Japanese equivalent of Travers Stakes in USA, attracted 14 runners, and in fact Man of Purser was on the AE list, also eligible runners, by a couple of days before the race. Then, two representatives of JRA withdrawn and Man of Purser got into the field which ran for the total purse of 85,000,000yen. Man of Purser, ridden by Hatsuhiro Kowata, was settled at the second position behind Bamboo Ere, who set a moderate pace, and held off Bamboo Ere after the ding-dong battle performed throughout the homestretch.
 This is his fourth win from seven starts, and the winning time was 2 minutes and 6.3 seconds on the muddy ground at Morioka. Man of Purser, trained by Ryuji Okubo at Ritto, will run the G1/JBC Mile at Kawasaki on November 2nd at Kawasaki.

Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA> announced the date of 2007 Select Sale <08th Sep 06>

 The 2007 Select Sale will be conducted on July 9th, 10th, and 11th at its regular site Northern Horse Park near Chitose Airport. It is announced by the Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>, the organizer of the premier sale of Japanese-breds.
 The format will be the same as 2006. 150 or more or less yearlings will be offered at the opening session on Monday July 9th, and approximately 300 foals of 2007 will be offered during two days, on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th. The catalogue of foal session should be including the first crop by exciting new stallions such as Zenno Rob Roy, Durandal, and That's the Plenty.
 Delta Blues<JPN>, the winner of G1/Melbourne Cup, Cosmo Bulk<JPN>, the winner of G1/International Cup, and Heart's Cry<JPN>, the winner of G1/Dubai Sheema Classic, are just a part of example who could prove that the Japanese-breds are competitive at anywhere in the world. Please do not miss the opportunity to buy the cream of Japanese-breds.

Kamehameha responsible for the sale topper again <12th Jul 06>

 The most exciting freshman sire, King Kamehameha has sent another sale topper on the third day of JRHA Select Sale, taken place at Northern Horse Park on July 12th.
 Hip#407, a colt by King Kamehameha, out of Roza Robata, a multiple Graded Stakes winner in
America, was bought by Riichi Kondo, an Osaka-based owner, for 162,000,000yen, approximately US$1,408,695. Nobutaka Tada of Globe Equine Co. was the under-bidder. Mitsuru Hashida, a JRA trainer who is trainig at Ritto Training Center, is going to train the colt.
 The 2-y-o colt by Rahy out of Roza Robata was bought at Fasig-Tipton Calder Sale for half a million US dollars by Japanese interest earlier this year, and it is reported he has been trained beautifully since he got at Japan, though he is still un-raced. .
 It might be destiny for Hip#376 to wear the silk of yellow and blue color. The colt by King Kamehameha out of Broad Appeal was bought by Makoto Kaneko for 112,000,000yen, approximately US$978,913. Riichi Kondo was the under-bidder. Both of King Kamehameha, the winner of G1/Japan Derby and G1/NHK Mile Cup, and Broad Appeal, multiple Graded Stakes winner on dirt, were owned by Makoto Kaneko as they were in training. Kaneko has bought Deep Impact, a Japanese triple crown winner in 2005 and is now aiming for the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe later the year, at this sale in 2002.
 The gross sale on third day is 3,180,000,000yen, US$27,652,173, which is 10.6% down as compared with the second day of foal session in 2005, and the average price 30,870,000yen, US$268,434, is 1.0% lower than the second day of foal session in 2005.
 The total sale of two-days foal session aggregated 8,340,500,000yen, US$72,526,086, which is 4.6% increase as compared with the total sale of two-days foal session in 2005, and the average price 37,740,000yen, US$328,173, is 14.5% higher than the previous year. Both of the gross sale and average at foal session are the new record of the sale.
 The gross revenue of the three-days sale has become 11,745,000,000yen, US$102,130,000.
 Teruya Yoshida, the active chairman of JRHA, commented after the sale, "This is tremendous market and we all involved in the horse breeding in Japan are very happy with this result". Asked about the key factors to boost the market, Mr.Yoshida answered, "The economy in this country seems to be coming back. And the recent success of Japanese horses in America, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Singapore should have encouraged the owners to acquire the world class horses from this market. The total sale over three days is just amazing."

New world record established on Day#2 at JRHA Select Sale <11th Jul 06>

 Hip#271, one of the first crop by highly expected first crop stallion King Kamehameha, out of To The Victory, the winner of G1/Queen Elizabeth Commemorative Cup and runner-up to Captain Steve in the G1/Dubai World Cup, was bought for 600,00,000yen, approximately US$5,217,391, which is the world record price for foals. The ticket was signed by Nobutaka Tada, a Tokyo-based bloodstock agent, and the under-bidder was Riki Takahashi, representing Darley Japan.
 Taka said the buyer of the filly is the group of multiple Japanese owners, who are dreaming to win Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe, though the individual names in the owners' group were not disclosed. "My clients asked me to find a horse who can win the Arc, and we all have agreed this is the one to get", Tada said after the big purchase. "But we have earlier target now, which is Prix Diane, French Oaks. She is beautiful, she has everything, and we fell in love with her. I am not surprised with the price, because we understand she is worth to pay such amount of money." Tada said there is no plan about who is going to train her.
 Earlier the session, a full brother to Kurofune, the devastating winner of Japan Cup Dirt in 2001, was sold to Darley Japan for 300,000,000yen, approximately US$2,608,695.
 "This is the one, whom we must acquire", Riki Takahashi, representing Darley Japan, said of the French Deputy colt. "As we are looking for animals who are capable to win the Dubai World Cup, this is a lot we could not miss."
 The gross sales on the second day is 5,160,500,000yen, US$44,873,913, which is 16.8% increase as compared with the first day of foal session in 2005, and the average price on the second day is . 43,730,000yen, US$380,260, which is 26.7% higher than the last year.
 The third and final session of the sale starts at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday 12th July at Northern Horse Park.

Wonderful start 2006 JRHA Select Sale <10th Jul 06>

 The yearling session conducted for the first time since 1998 by Japan Racing Horse Association on Monday July 10th at Northern Horse Park resulted in great success. The 109 yearlings were sold on the opening session of the sale and the gross sale was 3,414,000,000yen, approximately US$29,947.368. The buy back rate was 33.9% and the average price was 31,320,000yen, US$274,736. Though there is no comparison with the previous year, the gross sale was only 306,500,000yen and the average was 17,027,778yen, as JRHA organized the yearling session last time in 1998, and everybody is happy with what are displayed at the market.
 Teruya Yoshida, the active chairman of JRHA, said, "it was incredible sale. Since we got to know the catalogue was very good, we have been hopeful. However, on the other hand, we had been a little bit suspicious, because we had not conducted the yearling session for seven years and was wondering how the buyers were keen to acquire the yearlings. In the end, we got to know that the buyers were ready to make the purchases of yearlings".
 Hip#60, a handsome colt by Pivotal, was the sale topper of the day. The chestnut colt, out of Veil of Avalon, who is s sister to Japanese superstar Deep Impact, was bought by Nobutaka Tada, a Tokyo-based bloodstock agent. Tada did not disclose the name of his client, but it is highly expected that the colt will be trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, a leading trainer at Tokyo area and recently won G3/Cash Call Mile at Hollywood Park with his Dance in the Mood. The sale topper was the consignment from Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, who bought Veil of Avalon at Tattersalls December Sale in 2004, as the mare was in foal to Pivotal.
 The second day of the sale on Tuesday 11th will be selling 161 foals and the session starts at 11:00 a.m.

APOLOGY & CORRECTION <30th Jun 06>

 On the 2006 sale catalog, two conformations of
No.135's BAY FILLY by Brian's Time and No.160's DARK
BAY OR BROWN FILLY by Symboli Kris S, are replaced
by mistake. The correct photographs are as below.

  We very much regret the inconvenience this may have caused the consigner as well as all buyers.

DEEP IMPACT made another impact at Kyoto, taking his fifth G1 on June 25th<25th Jun 06>

 The consistent rain and softish ground did not bother Deep Impact to fly and he took the G1/Takarazuka Kinen at Kyoto on Sunday June 25th by four lengths. This is the final domestic prep in prior to heading Europe, where the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 1st is considered as the main goal for the Japanese superstar.
 The 1 to 10 favorite Deep Impact was settled at the rear of 13 runners' field by Yutaka Take, started to deliver his strong challenge at the three furlong pole, and devastated the field, which included Cosmo Bulk, the winner of G1/International Cup at Singapore in May. As Deep Impact did not run on wet ground before and he has a very beautiful action, the rain started to fall early in the morning was an anxious factor for him, his turn of foot shown on the homestretch was exactly the same as usual
 Makoto Kaneko, Yasuo Ikee, and Yutaka Take, the owner, trainer and jockey of Deep Impact, will make a trip to France next week to inspect Chantilly and Longchamp, and the details of his travel plan will be made after the connection return to Japan.
 Deep Impact was bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the 2002 JRHA Select Sale for 70,000,000yen.
 The 2006 JRHA Select Sale, which starts on July 10^th at Northern Horse Park, will have two lots in the catalogue, who are closely related with Deep Impact.  Lot#60 in the yearling session is a colt by Pivotal and out of Vail of Avalon, who is a sister to Deep Impact.  And Hip#143 in the yearling session is a colt by Symboli Kris S and out of Like the Wind, who is also a sister to Deep Impact.

APOLOGY & CORRECTION <21th Jun 06>

 On the 2006 sale catalogue, two conformation of No.11's BAY FILLY by Diktat and No.83's DARK BAY OR BROWN FILLY by Noverre, are replaced by mistake. The correct otographs are as below.

  We very much regret the inconvenience this may have caused the consigner as well as all buyers.

JRHA catalogues 170 yearlings and 316 foals for Select Sale<30th May 06>

 Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>, the organizer of the Select Sale, has announced that 170 yearlings are catalogued, in addition to 316 foals, during the three-days session of the 2006
Select Sale, starting on Monday July 10th.
 The superiority of Japanese-breds are proved here and there in the world, by following great runners.
  Please get into index and catalogue from this page.

Cesario<JPN> by Special Week, the winner of G1/American Oaks,
Zenno Rob Roy<JPN> by Sunday Silence, 2nd in the G1/International S
Sundrop<JPN> by Sunday Silence, the winner of G3/Cardinal H
Hat Trick<JPN> by Sunday Silence, the winner of G1/Hong Kong Mile
Six Sense<JPN> b Sunday Silence, 2nd in the G1/Hong Kong Vase
Silent Name<JPN> by Sunday Silence, the winner of G2/Arcadia H
Heart's Cry<JPN> by Sunday Silence, the winner of G1/Sheema Classic
Utopia<JPN> by Forty Niner, the winner of G1/Godolphin Mile
Flamme de Passion<JPN>, by Kurofune, 3rd in G2/UAE Derby
Cosmo Bulk<JPN> by Zagreb, the winner of G1/International C

 Please do not miss the opportunity to acquire the Japanese-breds, the latest fashion of pedigree,
at the JRHA Select Sale, the source of the premier Japanese-breds.

 The welcome cocktail commences at 6:00p.m.on Sunday 9th at Northern Horse Park.

 For catalogues and travel information, please contact....

DEEP IMPACT is now ready for Arc<01st May 06>

 Another incredible performance by Deep Impact was shown in the Tenno Sho Haru, the Spring edition of the Emperor's Cup, on April 30th at Kyoto Racecourse.
 The 1 to 10 red hot favorite in the contest over two miles, Deep Impact was settled at the rear of the pack by Yutaka Take as usual, started to make a big move at the four furlong pole, hit the front three out, and scored three and a half lengths victory over the second finisher Lincoln. With the devastating closing speed, Deep Impact covered the last four furlongs for 44.8 seconds, and his winning time 3 minutes and 13.4 seconds is the world record of 3,200m on grass.
 His career record is now nine wins, including four Graded One Stakes, from ten starts, earning 884,445,000yen, approximately US$8 million, in his bank account.
 After this impressive display, the connection of Deep Impact has made the official statement about the trip to Europe, and it is announced that the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe on October 1st at Longchamp is the target for the Japanese superstar.
 The four-year-old son of Sunday Silence is bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and was sold to Makoto Kaneko at the JRHA's Selected Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen. The Yasuo Ikee trainee may run the G1/Takarazuka Kinen at Kyoto on June 25th, in prior to flying out for Europe.

UTOPIA shines under the floodlight at Nad Al Sheba<27th Mar 06>

 Utopia has already won four Graded One races in the past, however, the Grade Two event he captured most recently is far more prestigious than any races he won before.
 Utopia, owned by Makoto Kaneko and trained by Kojiro Hashiguchi, won the G2/Godolphin Mile over 1,600m on dirt, the opening race of six international races for thoroughbred at Dubai World Cup Day on March 25th at Nad Al Sheba, which carried the total purse of $21 million.
 Ridden by Japanese champion jockey Yutaka Take, Utopia broke well, dominated the race from the front, and completed impressive wire-to-wire Victory, devastating the international field which include Island Fashion, three time G1 winning mare from USA, Jack Sullivan, who won G2/Maktoum Challenge Round 3, the most important prep race for Godolphin Mile, for two consecutive years, Court Masterpiece, the winner of G1/Prix de la Foret from France, and Lundy's Liability, the winner of Graded Stakes at Brazil, UAE, and USA.
 Utopia was bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and bought at the JRHA Selected Foal Sale in 2000 for 51,000,000yen, approximately $445,000. The 6-y-o son of Forty Niner has earned $4.8 million now.

KANE HEKILI is ready for Dubai<20th Feb 06>

 Kane Hekili, the dirt champion in Japan in 2005 and the dominant winner of the February Stakes, the Graded One event over 1,600m on dirt on February 19th , is now ready to compete in the Dubai World Cup on March 25th at Nad Al Sheba. Kane Hekili is fine after the race at Tokyo and Katsuhiko Sumii, who trains the 4-y-o colt by Fuji Kiseki, has confirmed that the next stop for Kane Hekili is the show down on the desert at the Middle East.
 Kane Hekili, bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, was bought by Makoto Kaneko at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2002 for 20,00,000yen. Kane Hekili collected three Graded One races on dirt in 2005, including the Japan Cup Dirt in November. As he add the 94,000,000yen, the prize to the winner in February Stakes, to his bankbook, his total earning has developed to 418,229,000yen, which is more than 20 times of his own price. .
 Makoto Kaneko's To the Victory become second to Captain Steve in the Dubai World Cup in 2001, and Kaneko will try to get a slightly better place in 2006.

Four JRHA graduates received JRA Award<24th Jan 06>

 The ceremony of 2005 JRA Award was conducted at Tokyo on January 23rd, and five out of eleven award of equine category went to the JRHA graduates.
 The first undefeated triple crown winner since Symboli Rudolf in 1984, Deep Impact has been named the winner of Horse of the Year Award.  Deep Impact, trained by Yasuo Ikee, was also the unanimous selection as the Champion three-year-old colt.
 Hat Trick, the winner of G1/Hong Kong Mile and G1/Mile Championship, was named the Champion Sprinter/Miler, and Kane Hekili, the winner of three Graded One Stakes including G1/Japan Cup Dirt, is selected as the Champion Dirt Horse.
 Both of Hat Trick and Kane Hekili are trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, and both of Deep Impact and Kane Hekili are owned by Makoto Kaneko.
 Fusao Sekiguchi's Fusaichi Richard was named as the Champion two-year-old colt.  The winner of G1/Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes is trained by Kunihide Matsuda.
 Deep Impact, Kane Hekili, and Fusaichi Richard are bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, while Hat Trick is bred by Haruya Yoshida of Oiwake Farm.
 JRHA express the congratulations to the JRA Award winners and their connections.

HAT TRICK shines in Hong Kong<12th Dec 05>

 JRHA Select Foal Sale's graduate Hat Trick won G1/Hong Kong Mile, a year-end world championship race for top milers, on December 11th at Sha Tin, beating the quality field, which included Rakti, six times G1 winner representing the United Kingdom, Court Masterpiece, the winner of G1/Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October, and Bullish Luck, the winner of G1/Champions' Mile representing the host nation.
 Hat Trick by Sunday Silence was bred by Haruya Yoshida of Oiwake Farm and bought by Yomoji Saito at the 2001 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 65,000,000yen. And then, the colt was sold privately to Carrot Farm Ltd, the racing syndication based at Tokyo, and has been carrying the silk of Carrot Farm Ltd throughout his racing career so far.
 Katsuhiko Sumii, who is training Hat Trick, has won G1/American Oaks by Cesario earlier this year, and Sumii has become the first Japanese trainer who captured two stakes with premier grade in a single season overseas by two different horses. Sumii intends to give another races abroad to Hat Trick in 2006, although he has not made his mind where and when it will be.
 The Hong Kong Mile is the fourth Graded Stakes and second Graded One Stakes for Hat Trick.

FUSAICHI RICHARD, another Champion from JRHA<12th Dec 05>

 G1/Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, the championship race for 2-y-o colts and geldings, was taken place at Nakayama Racecourse on December 11th, and it was won by Fusaichi Richard, the graduate of JRHA Select Foal Sale.
 Fusaichi Richard was bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm and bought at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2003 by Fusao Sekiguchi, who owned Fusaichi Airedale, the dame of Fusaichi Richard, as she was in training, for 99,000,000yen. Fusaichi Airedale is the winner of four Graded Stakes and finished second in G1/Japanesed 1000 Guineas and G1/Queen Elizabeth Commemorative Cup for Sekiguchi. Fusaichi Richard is her second foal, and is one of the first crop by Kurofune, the decisive winner of G1/Japan Cup Dirt in 2001.
 Trained by Kunihide Matsuda, who trained both of Kurofune and Fusaichi Airedale, Fusaichi Richard had won the maiden over 2000m at Hanshin on September 25th, LR/Hagi Stakes over 1800m at Kyoto on October 29th, and G3/Tokyo Sports Hai over 1800m at Tokyo on November 19th previously.
 It is now very likely that Fusaichi Richard is awarded as Champion Juvenile in the annual JRA Award, which will be announced in the middle of January.

KANE HEKILI won Japan Cup Dirt through three-way photo<28th Nov 05>

 It was one of the most thrilling finish seen in Japan in 2005. It looked Kane Hekili ridden by Yutaka Take, Seeking The Dia ridden by Nohiriro Yokoyama, and Star Kingman ridden by Kent Desourmeax hit the wire at the same time, and only the photo could prove that Kane Hekili is the winner of G1/Japan Cup Dirt, the most important event on dirt in the Japanese racing calendar, on November 26th at Tokyo Racecourse.
 Kane Hekili by Fuji Kiseki was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm and bought by Makoto Kaneko at 2002 Select Foal Sale conducted by Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA> for 20,000,000yen, which was much less than the average price of the sale. Trained by Katsuhiko Sumii at JRA's Ritto Training Center, Kane Hekili has won three Graded 1 stakes on dirt and earned 320,785,000yen, which is more than 16 times of his own price, to date.
 It is reported that the connection of Kane Hekili is interested in giving him the overseas campaign and Dubai World Cup in March is seriously considered as the likely target.

Hat Trick has scored his first G1 goal<22th Nov 05>

 The Mile Championship on November 20th at Kyoto Racecourse was won by Hat Trick, 4-y-o colt by Sunday Silence.
 Bred by Haruya Yoshida's Oiwake Farm, Hat Trick was offered at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2001 and bought by Yomoji Saito for 68,000,000yen. And then, the colt was re-sold privately to Carrot Farm and Hat Trick is now carrying the silk of that racing syndication.
 Hat Trick, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii at JRA Ritto Training Center, won two Graded 3 stakes over 1,600m in a row earlier his year, however, he had been winless in four starts since then, including the Emperor's Cup, where he was disappointing seventh, last time out.
 Ridden by Olivier Peslier, Hat Trick produced the most impressive turn of foot on the homestretch on Sunday at Kyoto, and captured his first Graded 1 event, beating the very best milers, including Durandal who has won this race in the last two years. Hat Trick's career earning has now surpassed the bar of 230,000,000yen.
 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on December 11th is seriously considered as the next start for Hat Trick, according to Sumii.

DEEP IMPACT swept Triple Crown <24th Oct 05>

 The historic moment was witnessed by the 136,701 on-course audience, which is 82.0% more than the previous year, and millions of people who watched it through the TV coverage.
 On Sunday October 23rd at Kyoto Racecourse, Deep Impact, who has won Satsuki Sho<Japanese 2000 Guineas> in April and Tokyo Yushun <Japanese Derby> in May, won Kikka Sho<Japanese St Leger>, and completed the Triple Crown for three-year-olds. He is the sixth horse to sweep all three classics for three-year-olds in Japan, and is only the second unbeaten Triple Crown winner after Symboli Rudolf, who achieved it in 1984.
 Deep Impact by Sunday Silence, out of Wind In Her Hair, is bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2002 for 70,000,000yen. The bay colt is trained by Yasuo Ikee at JRA's Ritto training center, and Yutaka Take rode him in all seven starts.
 Deep Impact will make one more start this season, either in Japan Cup on November 27th at Tokyo or in Arima Kinen, the year-end championship race in Japan, on December 25th at Nakayama.
 Deep Impact will be kept in training next year and the campaign in overseas is planned, according to the owner, Makoto Kaneko.

JRHA announced the sales dates in 2006 <17th Oct 05>

 Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>, the organizer of July Select Sale at Northern Horse Park, has announced the sales dates in 2006. The format is changed and the Select Sale in 2006 will be the three-days sale for the first time since it was inaugurated in 1998.
 New format is as follows. The opening and yearling session will be conducted on Monday July 10th, and the foal session will be organized on Tuesday July 11th and Wednesday July 12th.
 Since JRHA organized its yearling sale in 1998, the July Select Sale sold foals only from 1999 through 2005.  However, the demand for yearlings with top quality at the bloodstock market in Japan increased significantly, and JRHA understands it is beneficial both for buyers and sellers to resume the yearling session.
 Further details, including the number of foals catalogued, will be decided hereafter.

UTOPIA, back-to-back victory of G1/Mile Championship Nambu Ha <11th Oct 05>

 Utopia has collected his fourth Graded One victory as he won G1/ Mile Championship Nambu Hai, beating the top contenders on dirt including Time Paradox, the winner of G1/Japan Cup Dirt in 2004, on October 10th at Morioka Racecourse, where is his favorite track.
 This is the race which Utopia won last year, and he has become the first horse to complete the back-to-back victory of this very important contest on dirt..
 Utopia by Forty Niner is bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, and sold to Makoto Kaneko for 51,000,000yen, approximately $445,000 at the JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2000. The five-year-old chestnut Horse has now earned 417,235,000yen, approximately $3.6 million, which is more than eight times of his purchased price.
 Utopia, who won G1/Zen-Nihon Nisai Yushun at 2, G1/Derby Grand Prix at 3, and G1/ Mile Championship Nambu Hai at 4 and 5, is trained by Kojiro Hashiguchi at JRA Ritto Training Center, and will run G1/JBC Classic at Nagoya on November 3rd next time.

KANE HEKILI , 6 for 6 on dirt <20th Sep 05>

  Kane Hekili<JPN> , the dominant winner of G1/Derby Grand Prix at Morioka on September 19th, the championship race for three-year-olds on dirt, will aim for G1/Japan Cup Dirt on November 26th at Tokyo as the ace representative of the host nation.
 The three-year-old son of Fuji Kiseki was bought at 2002 JRHA Select Sale by Makoto Kaneko for 20,000,000yen, approximately US$185,000, and the chestnut colt has now earned 171,040,000yen, nearly US$1.6 million as his bankroll. It means Kane Hekili is another good example to prove that the horses bought at JRHA Select Sale for reasonable price could often turn out great runners on track.
 Kane Hekili, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, who trains Cesario<JPN>, the winner of G1/American Oaks as well, won the maiden on dirt by seven lengths on February 13th, and the allowance on dirt by eleven lengths on February 26th. After finishing seventh on turf in G3/Mainichi Hai in March, he returned on dirt and then collected four victories, including G3/Unicorn Stakes on June 4th and G1/Japan Dirt Derby on July 13th. His record on dirt is now 6 for 6..
 Northern Farm of Katsumi Yoshida bred Kane Hekili.

KANE HEKILI won G1/Japan Dirt Derby <14th Jul 05>

 Kane Hekili is another good sample which proves that the horses bought at JRHA Select Foal Sale for reasonable price could be very high class performer subsequently.
 Kane Hekili by Fuji Kiseki was bought at 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 20,000,000yen, while the average price at the sale was 29,245,161yen. Kane Hekili has now earned 121,045,000yen, more than six times of his purchase price, and become the Graded One Stakes winner, as he won G1/Japan Dirt Derby on July 13th at Oi Racecourse in Tokyo.
 The winning connections,----------the owner Makoto Kaneko, the jockey Yutaka Take, and the breeder Northern Farm ---------are the same as Deep Impact, who won G1/Japanese Derby at Tokyo racecourse in May, and the connection has won the premier race for three-year-olds both on grass and dirt this year.
 Kane Hekili is trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, who trains Cesario, the winner of G1/American Oaks at Hollywood Park ten days ago, as well.
 Kane Hekili's sire Fuji Kiseki is the son of Sunday Silence and the superiority of Sunday Silence as the sire of sires has been argued again.
 The next start for Kane Hekili will be G1/Derby Grand Prix on September 19th at Morioka, according to Katsuhiko Sumii.

JRHA Select sale 2005,　Day#2 <12th Jul 05>

 Hip.186, a colt by the first crop sire Vindication, Champion 2-y-o in USA in 2002, was bought by Masahiro Noda for 190,000,000yen, and the under bidder was Riichi Kondo. The consignment from Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm is out of Roza Robata, MGSW in United States.
 As well as Vindication, Empire Maker, winner of Belmont Stakes in 2003, has sent his first representative at public auction at 2005 JRHA Select Foal Sale and it was sold for nine figures. Hip.233 by Empire Maker, which is half brother to Magistretti, winner G1/Man O'War Stakes at Belmont Park in 2004, was bought for 100,000,000yen by A.H.S Inc, racing operation owned by Takaya Shimakawa.
 The first nine-figures' lot of the second and final session of JRHA Select Sale was seen as Hip.176, a colt by Agnes Tachyon out of Biwa Heidi, Champion 2-y-o filly in 1995, went through the sales ring. The half brother to Admire Japan, winner of G3/Keisei Hai earlier this year, was bought by Riichi Kondo, who owns Admire Japan as well, for 125,000,000yen. "This is my pick of sale. I am very happy to acquire him," said Kondo after the purchase.
 Agnes Tachyon was very popular on the second day of the sale and Hip.200, a colt by Agnes Tachyon out of Queen Maud, winner of G1/Prix Vermeille, was bought for 150,000,000yen by Hiroyoshi Usuda. Hip.200 is the consignment from Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm.
 The 2005 Select Foal Sale conducted by Japan Racing Horse Association sold 242 lots during two-days session and the grass sales is 7,972,000,000yen, 3.78% more than the previous year.
 The average price 32,942,149yen is 0.3% higher than the previous year, while the median price 26,000,000yen is 7.2% higher than the last year. And the buy-back rate 19.9% is the lowest record in the history of sale.
"Japanese buyers are very strong" said Teruya Yoshida, vice chairman of JRHA. "This is the market which owners in this country cannot miss, and this is the market which Japanese breeders must send the best horses they bred."

The Day One at 2005 JRHA Select Foal Sale <11th Jul 05>

 A colt by the first crop sire Symboli Kris S, the Horse of the Year in Japan in 2002 and 2003, top the first session of JRHA Select Foal Sale taken place at Northern Horse Park on Monday. Hip.68, a half brother to Rhein Kraft, the winner of G1/Japanese 1000 Guineas and G1/NHK Mile Cup this year, was bought by Masahiro Noda, who runs computer software company, for 210,000,000yen and will be trained by Yasuo Ikee, who won Japanese Derby by Deep Impact this year. The colt is the consignment by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm.
 The first nine figures' lot of the session was seen as the Hip.32, colt by Admire Vega went through the ring. The half brother to To The Victory, G1 winner in Japan and was runner-up to Captain Steve in the G1/Dubai World Cup, was also the half brother to Silent Deal, MGSW in Japan. After several bids were thrown from different bidders, including Makoto Kaneko who owned To The victory and Riichi Kondo who owned Admire Vega as they were in training, bloodstock agent Nobutaka Tada made the successful bid of 170,000,000yen. While Tada did not disclose the name of his client, it is confirmed that the colt will be trained by Kazuo Fujisawa at Miho Training Center near Tokyo. The under bidder was Masahiro Noda.
 Hip.97, a colt by Agnes Tachyon out of Fanjica, GSW in United States. was the latest recruit by Takaya Shimakawa, who runs natural foods company and has bought one of the top ten lots every year at the Select Sale. The half brother to Higher Game, the third finisher in Japanese Derby last year, was bought for 120,000,000yen, and the under bidder was Hiroyoshi Usuda, who owns Higher Game.
 The gross sales of the first session is 4,416,000,000yen, 9.9% higher than the first session of the Previous year, and the buy back rate on the first day is 18.5%, which was 23.3% last year. The average price is 34,500,000yen, 10.7% lower than the last year、while the median price 31,000,000yen is 14.8% higher than the last year.
 "This is strong market., especially the middle market is very strong", said Teruya Yoshida, vice chairman of JRHA. "I think this is the proof that the economy in this country is improving."

The second and final session starts at 11:00a.m. on Tuesday.

APOLOGY & CORRECTION <21th Jun 05>

 On the 2005 sale catalog, two conformation of No.16's CHESTNUT FILLY by Agnes Tachyon and No.222's BAY COLT by Symboli Kris S, are replaced by mistake. The correct photographs are as below.

  We very much regret the inconvenience this may have caused the consigner as well as all buyers.

SUNDROP, successful seasonal debut<06th Jun 05>

 Godolphin's Sundrop<JPN>, 4-y-o filly by Sunday Silence, made her seasonal debut at the G3/Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom on June 3rd, and won it easily by two lengths.
 Sundrop<JPN>, bred by Yukiko Hosokawa, was the consignment from Shadai Farm at 2001 JRHA Select Foal Sale, and bought by John Ferguson for 50,000,000yen for Sheikh Mohammed.
 Sundrop<JPN>, trained by David Loder at 2, finished second to Red Bloom in G1/Fillies Mile at Ascot and emerged as the leading contender for the fillies' Classic on the following year.
 She was transferred to Godolphin, wintered in Dubai, and made brave effort as she was runner-up to Attraction in the G1/1000 Guineas at Newmarket last spring. She was given the summer break after the disappointing run in the G1/Oaks, and collected Listed race at Newmarket later the year.
 Settled in rear by Frankie Dettori, Sundrop<JPN>, the even money favorite in the G3/Princess Elizabeth Stakes, .delivered very impressive challenge at the closing stage and picked up her first Graded Stakes. She will go for G2/Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot at York next time, according to Mr.Simon Crisford, the racing manager of Godolphin.

JRHA catalogues 315 foals for Select Foal Sale<03rd Jun 05>

 Japan Racing Horse Association<JRHA>, the organizer of the Select Foal Sale, is proud to announce that the best ever catalogue has been assembled for the annual Select Foal Sale, on July 11th Monday and 12th Tuesday at Northern Horse Park in Hokkaido. The 315 foals of 2005, who will be offered during the two-days sales, are all premier Japanese-breds with international pedigree.
  Please get into index and catalogue from this page.

 The catalogue features the roster of strong international sires, including...............
Afleet, Belong to Me, Boston Harbor, Cape Cross, Coronado's Quest, Diktat, Dehere, Fasliev,
Forty Niner, French Deputy, Fusaichi Pegasus, Giant's Causeway, Maria's Mon,Seeking the Gold, Singspiel, Silver Charm, Silver Deputy, Smoke Glacken, Special Week, Stravinsky, Tale of the Cat, Twining, and Wild Rush.

and the exciting young sires represented by their sons and daughters, such as............,
Agnes Digital, Alamshar, Empire Maker, Falbrav, Grandera, High Chaparral, Johannesburg,Jungle Pocket, Kurofune, Marienbard, Moon Ballad, Street Cry, Symboli Kris S,Vindication, and War Emblem.

 JRHA Select Foal Sale, the source of the premier Japanese-breds, has sold Sundrop<JPN>,the runner-up to Attraction in the G1/1000 Guineas in 2003.
 Majlis<JPN>, the winner of G3/Tattersalls (Ireland) Derby Sale Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle earlier this year, is also JRHA Select Sale's graduate.
 In Japan, JRHA Select Sale has sold two Japanese Derby winners for two consecutive years, King Kamehameha in 2004 and Deep Impact in 2005. Zenno Rob Roy, the winner of triple Graded One Stakes, including G1/Japan Cup, and the Horse of the Year in Japan in 2004, was also bought at the JRHA Select Foal Sale.

 The catalogue will be available on line at www.jrha.or.jp from Friday June 17th.
  The printed catalogues will become available on Friday June 24th.

  The session starts at noon on Monday 11th, and at 11:00a.m.on Tuesday 12th.
  The pre-sale inspection starts at 9:30a.m.on Monday 11th, and at 8:30a.m.on Tuesday 12th.
 The welcome cocktail commences at 6:00p.m.on Sunday 10th at Northern Horse Park.

For catalogues and travel information, please contact.........
Regent Co Ltd,. JRHA representative for international clients,
6-22-11-103 Honcho, Nakano, Tokyo, Zip Code 164-0012, Japan
Tel 81-3-5385-4790 Fax 81-3-5385-4798
LEM00454@nifty.ne.jp

Unbeaten Dual Classic winner from JRHA<30th May 05>

 Deep Impact, the graduate of Japan Racing Horse Association's Select Foal Sale, made the history on May 29th at Fuchu Racecourse, winning the 72nd running of the Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, in devastating style.
 The peoples' horse Deep Impact attracted the audience of 140,143, 14.8% more than the previous year, at Fuchu Racecourse, and 73.4% of the wagering on "win" was bet on the unbeaten Japanese 2000 Guineas winner. His odds, 1 to 10, is the shortest price in the history of Japanese Derby.
 Deep Impact, ridden by Yutaka Take, was settled at the rear of 18 runners' field, started to make his move at the four furlong's pole, and draw clear on the homestretch. The winning time, 2 minutes 23.3 seconds, is equal to the stakes record, established by King Kamehameha a year ago.
 This is the fourth Derby win for Yutaka Take, and the first Derby for the trainer Yasuo Ikee.
 Deep Impact, colt by Sunday Silence, out of Wind in Her Hair, G1 winner in Germany and finished second to Balanchine in the Epsom Oaks in 1994, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen, approximately $583,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date. Makoto Kaneko, who won the Derby by King Kamehameha, who is also JRHA Select Sale's graduate, in 2004, has become the first owner to win the premier race for three-year-olds for two consecutive years.
 Deep Impact has become the sixth unbeaten winner of the first and second legs of triple crown in Japan, and this is the sixth Derby for his sire,.Sunday Silence.
 Deep Impact is now given a summer break, and then, aim the G1/Kikka Sho, the Japanese St.Leger, on October 23rd at Kyoto Racecourse, to be the sixth Triple Crown winner in the history of Japanese horse racing.

Unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner from JRHA<18th Apr 05>

 He is definitely super horse.  Deep Impact won G1/Satsuki Sho, Japanese 2000 Guineas, at Nakayama Racecourse on April 17th easily, and is now regarded as the red hot favorite for the G1/Tokyo Yushun, Japanese Derby, at Fuchu Racecourse on May 29th.
 The colt by Sunday Silence, out of Wind In Her Hair, G1 winner in Germany and finished second to Balanchine in the Epsom Oaks in 1994, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm and bought by Makoto Kaneko at the 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 70,000,000yen, approximately $583,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date.
 Trained by Yasuo Ikee, who won G1/Hong Kong Vase and G2/Sheema Classic by Stay Gold in 2001 and trained To The Victory who was runner-up to Captain Steve in G1/Dubai World Cup in the same year, Deep Impact made successful debut as he won the maiden of 2000m by four lengths on December 19th at Hanshin, where he covered the last three furlongs for 33.1 seconds. He reproduced the spectacular form as he won LR/Wakakoma Stakes over 2000m at Kyoto on January 22nd in devastating style. The winning margin was five lengths there and Yutaka Take, who rode him in both races, said, "I was just sitting on the saddle. He is a flawless thoroughbred".
 His winning streak extended to three, as he won G2/Yayoi Sho on March 6th at Nakayama and collected first Graded Stakes for the colt, and then, Deep Impact has become the unbeaten Classic winner as he won the G1/Satsuki Sho as the odd-on favorite.
 The Japanese Derby in 2004 was won by King Kamehamha, the JRHA Select Sale graduate,owned by Kaneko Makoto and bred by Katsumi Yoshida, as well.

New Champion Sprinter from JRHA<28th Mar 05>

 G1/Takamatsunomiya Kinen, over 1,200m at Chukyo Racecourse, recognized as the Championship race for top sprinters in the spring time, was taken place on Sunday March 27th, and it was won by Admire Max, 6-y-o Horse by Sunday Silence out of Dyna Shoot, and the 10.8 to 1 fourth choice in the race.
 Admire Max had tried to land G1 success at several times before, but been narrowly beaten by better horses, for example, he was second to Agnes Digital in the G1/Yasuda Kinen two years ago, when the magin was only neck there.
 It looked Admire Max was not lucky with the draw in the G1/Takamatsunomiya Kinen, where he broke from the 18th post among 18 runners, however, Admire Max, who was helped by skillful riding performance of Yutaka Take, drew clear late to capture his first Graded One victory.
 Admire Max. bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, was bought by Riichi Kondo at 1999 JRHA Sale for 70,000,000yen. Admire Max has been trained by Mitsuru Hashida at Ritto Training Center and earned 331,281,000yen, appoximately $3 million.

ZENNO ROB ROY named Horse of the Year <12th Jan 05>

 JRA Award of 2004 is announced by Japan Racing Association and Zenno Rob Roy is named the Horse of the Year and champion older horse for 2004.
 The five-year-old by Sunday Silence completed the hat trick of the major Graded One Stakes in the autumn, including G1/Japan Cup, and is ranked at the 18th in the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Ranking, receiving the official rating 122. Zenno Rob Roy, bred by Shiraoi Farm, was bought by Shinobu Osako of T.M.International Co Ltd at the 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 90,000,000yen, approximately $833,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date, and is trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, who was Japan's top trainer by races won, money earned, and
winning average in 2004.
 The list of JRA Award winners is including two more graduates of JRHA Select Foal Sale.
 King Kamehameha, who won the G1/Japanese Derby establishing new stakes record, is named champion three-year-old colt. King Kamehameha by Kingmambo was bought by Makoto Kaneko at the Select Sale in 2001 for 78,000,000yen.
 Admire Groove, who won G1/Queen Elizabeth? Commemorative Cup, the championship race for fillies and mares in Japan, is named champion older mare.
 Both of King Kamehameha and Admire Groove are bred by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, who was the leading breeder in Japan in 2004. Admire Groove was bought at the 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale by Riichi Kondo for 230,000,000yen, the top price of the sale.

ZENNO ROB ROY completed G1 Hat Trick <26th Dec 04>

 Zenno Rob Roy capped off his successful 2004 campaign with the victory of G1/Arima Kinen over 2,500m grass gallop at Nakayama Racecourse near Tokyo on Sunday December 26th.
 The even money favorite Zenno Rob Roy, ridden by Olivier Peslier, delivered the strongest challenge on the homestretch and captured the year-end championship race in Japan, which carried the total purse of $3.3 million.
 Tap Dance City, the winner of G1/Japan Cup in 2003, finished second by half a length. The winning time, 2 minutes 29.5 seconds, is a second off Symboli Kris S's track record set in 2003.
 Zenno Rob Roy, who previously won G1/Emperor's Cup Autumn in October and G1/Japan Cup in November, has become the second horse to complete the hat trick of the major Graded One Stakes in Autumn, after T.M.Opera O who achieved it in 2000, and is awarded to receive the 200,000,000yen bonus.
 Zenno Rob Roy has now every chance to be elected as the Japanese Horse of the Year in 2004, which will be announced by JRA shortly.
 Zenno Rob Roy, four-year-old colt by Sunday Silence out of Mining mare Roamin Rachel, was bred at Shiraoi Farm in Hokkaido and bought by Shinobu Osako at 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 90,000,000yen, approximately $833,333.
 It is reported that Zenno Rob Roy is kept in training in 2005.

ZENNO ROB ROY dominates Japn Cup <29th Nov 04>

 JRHA Select Foal Sale's graduate Zenno Rob Roy scored an unchallenged three lengths voctory in the G1/Japan Cup, the 11th leg of World Series Racing Champinship, in Tokyo on November 28th. It was his second consecutive win in the Graded One event for the 4-y-o colt by Sunday Silence, who captured G1/Emperor's Cup Autumn in October.
 Zenno Rob Roy was bred by Shiraoi Farm and bought by Shinobu Osako of T.M.International Co Ltd at 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 90,000,000yen, approximately $833,333 at the exchange rate of the sale's date. Zennno Rob Roy is out of Romin Rachel, the winner of G1/Ballerina Handicap.
 The 24th running of Japan Cup, the most valuable race in the world on grass which carry the $4.5 million purse, in addition to some insentive bonus, was contestd by 16 runners including five foreign raiders, such as Warrsan, MG1SW from United Kingdom, and Powerscourt, the first ever runner trained by Aiden O'Brien to run in Japan. While there were tough invaders in the field, the local punters made Zenno Rob Roy the favorite and it was proved
that the punters' outlook was correct in the end.
 Zenno Rob Roy is now eligible for the 100,000,000yen bonus for the horse who sweep the major three G1 in the second half of the year, G1/Tenno Sho, G1/Japan Cup and G1/Arima Kinen, run at Nakayama Racecourse on December 26th. It is reported that Zenno Rob Roy will attempt to complete the hat trick next.

ADMIRE GROOVE achieved QEIICC double <14th Nov 04>

 Defending queen of G1/Queen ElizabethII Commemorative Cup, the championship race for fillies and mares in Japan, Admire Groove has takes her second straight in this event at Kyoto on November 14th.
 Coming off a brave third-place finish just two weeks ago in the G1/Emperor's Cup Autumn,which was won by Zenno Rob Roy, another JRHA Sale's graduate, Admire Groove ridden by Japanese champion jockey Yutaka Take settled in the middle of field early and closed fast as they neared the wire.
 Admire Groove(JPN), 4-y-o filly by Sunday Silence bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm,was bought at 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale by Riichi Kondo for 230,000,000yen, the top price of the sale. Trained by Mitsuru Hashida at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto, Admire Groove finishd third in the G1/Oka Sho, Japanese1000 Guineas and second in the G1/Shuka Sho, the final leg of fillies' triple tiara, in prior to landing her first Graded One stakes in the last edition of QEIICC. She has added G3/Mermaid Stakes earlier this year in her tally.
 Admire Groove's dam Air Groove is the Japanse Horse of the Year in 1997.

ZENNO ROB ROY won Emperor's Cup <31st Oct 04>

 Another triumph by JRHA Select Sale's graduate was performed at Tokyo on October 31st, as the prestigious Emperor's Cup ran there.
 Zenno Rob Roy, trained by Kazuo Fujisawa and ridden by Olivier Peslier, delivered the strongest challenge on the homestrecth and dominated the strong field of 17 runners.
 The 4-y-o son of Sunday Silence, out of Mining mare Roamin Rachel, previously finished 2nd in the Japanese Derby, 4th in the Japanese St Leger, and 3rd in the Arima Kinen at three, and runner-up to Ingrandire in the Spring version of Emperor's Cup and finished 4th in the Takarazuka Kinen earlier this year. This is his 6th attempt at the stakes with premier grade and captured his first G1 victory.
 This is Kazuo Fujisawa's third successive victory in the Autumn version of Emperor's Cup, after winning the last two eiditions of this race by Symboli Kris S.Zenno Rob Roy, bred by Shiraoi Farm, was consigned at the JRHA Select Sale in 2000 and bought by Shinobu Osako of T.M.International Co.Ltd for 90,000,000yen, approximately $833,333 at the exchange rate at that time.
 Zenno Rob Roy will take aim at the Japan Cup on November 28th at Tokyo next.

UTOPIA captured his third G1 <11th Oct 04>

 Utopia, 4-y-o colt by Forty Niner out of Dream Vision, performed impressive wire-to-wire victory in G1/Mile Championship Nambu Hai on October 11th at Morioka Racecourse, holding the late challenge by Admire Don, Japanese Dirt Champion in 2003, by half a length. Utopia has won G1/Zennion Nisai Yushun at 2 and G1/Derby Grand Prix at 3, therefore, this is his third Graded One stakes win.
 Utopia was consigned by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm at JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2000, and bought by Makoto Kaneko for 51,000,000yen. Utopia's career earning is now a little bit short of 300 million yen, which is more than five times of his purchased price.
 Utopia is trained by Kojiro Hashiguchi at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto and ridden by Norihiro Yokoyama at Morioka. Next start for Utopia will be G1/JBC Classic at Oi Racecourse on November 3rd.

Another winner in Europe <30th Jun 04>

 Cherubim<JPN>, 3-y-o filly by Sunday Silence out of Curly Angel, who bought at JRHA Select Foal Sale in 2001, won the maiden at Gowran Park impressively.
 The David Loder trainee, owned by Sheikh Mohammed, has become the third winner from 2001 JRHA Select Sale in Europe, after Sun Drop<JPN> who was runner-up to Attraction in the G1/1000 Guineas, and Davorin<JPN>.
 Cherubim's dam Curly Angel is half-sister to Air Groove, Japanese Horse of the Year, and is out of Dyna Curl, G1/ Oaks winner in Japan.
 A colt out of Air Groove is catalogued in the 2004 JRHA Select Foal Sale, taken place at Northern Horse Park on July 12th and 13th. The Dance in the Dark colt, out of Air Groove, is HIp#68, and will be offered on the market on Monday 12th, the first session of the sale.

First Derby Winner from JRHA Select Sale <31st May 04>

 We are very proud to announce that Japan Racing Horse Association's Select Foal Sale,inaugurated in 1998, has produced the first Japanese Derby winner. King Kamehameha, bought by Makoto Kaneko at the Select Sale in 2001 for 78,000,000yen, won the 71st running of Japanese Derby at Tokyo Racecourse on May 30th, establishing new stakes record, 2 minutes and 23.3 seconds, which is 2.0 seconds faster than the previous record.
 King Kamehameha, by Kingmambo out of Manfath, was bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm at Hokkaido and is now trained by Kunihide Matsuda at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto.
 King Kamehameha has also won the G1/NHK Mile Cup, the equivalent of 2000 Guineas in Japan, and become the first ever horse to completed the NHK Mile/Derby double.
 It is reported that Makoto Kaneko is keen to keep him in training next year and organize overseas campaign for King Kamehameha.

Another success by graduate in Europe <16th May 04>

 Wuthering Heights(JPN), bought at 2002 JRHA Select Foal Sale, broke his maiden at Gowran Park on May 16th.
 Wuthering Heights(JPN), 2-y-o colt by Fusaichipegasus out of Jeweled Crown, was consigned by Paca Paca Farm at 2002 JRHA Select Sale and bought by John McCormack Bloodstock for 81,000,000yen. He was diappointing seventh in the maiden at Curragh on April 25th on his debut, but has improved a lot since then and did not disappoint the punters, who supported him as joint-favorite of the race.
 Wuthering Heights(JPN), trained by Aiden O'Brien and owned by Susan Magnier, is a half brother to Silk Phoenix, MGSW in Japan, and closely related to Chief's Crown, winner of BC Juvenile and champion 2-y-o in America.

INGRANDIRE made all the prestigious Cup <06th May 04>

 Ingrandire, 5-y-o Horse owned by Chizu Yoshida and trained by Yoshinami Shimizu, performed very impressive wire-to-wire victory at the G1/Emperor's Cup Spring, one of the most prestigious race for older horses in Japan, taken place at Kyoto Racecourse on May 2nd. The winning margin was seven lengths, which is the beggest in 24 years of the race's history.
 This is the fifth Graded Stakes for Ingrandire and the first Graded 1 Stakes in his tally.
 Ingrandire, by White Muzzle out of Marilyn Momoko, was bred by Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm at Hokkaido and sold at the 1999 JRHA Select Sale only for 13,100,000yen. Ingrandire has earned 383,850,000yen to date, which is nearly 30 times of his purchased price.
 The second finisher of the race, Zenno Rob Roy, is also JRHA Select Sale's graduate.

SUNDROP <JPN>
  brave 2nd in 1000 Guineas <02nd May 04>

 Sundrop<JPN>, who aimed to be the first Japanese-bred British Classic winner, was narrowly beaten in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2nd.
 Sundrop, bred by Yukiko Hosokawa and bought by Shekh Mohammed through John Ferguson at 2001 JRHA Select Foal Sale, made successful debut at Lingfield in September last year, and then made wonderful effort when 1.1/4 lengths second to Red Gloom in G1/Fillies Mile at Ascot.
 While supported as the winter favorite for the Oaks by some bookmakers, Sundrop wintered well at Dubai and the connection decided to send her to 1000 Guineas as she finished second in the Godolphin's private trial at Nad Al Sheba in mid-April.
 Although Sundrop failed to catch Attraction, beaten by half a length, Sundrop ran a big race and is now pointed for the G1/Oaks, June 4th at Epsom, as it was expected. The daughter of Sunday Silence is now clear favorite for the Oaks.

DAVORIN <JPN>
  Successful Debut <13th Apl 04>

 Sheikh Mohammed's DAVORIN<JPN>, bought at 2001 JRHA Select Foal Sale through John Ferguson,
made successful debut at Newmarket on April 13th.
 Davorin, 4/1 third-favorite in the Alex Scott Maiden over 7 furlongs at Rowly Mile Course,
chased leaders, hit the front at at the eighth pole, and stayed well to keep the lead.
 Davorin by Warning is full-brother to G1 winner Diktat, and was consinged by Shoei Co.Ltd,
which bred him in Japan, at 2001 JRHA Select Foal Sale. Davorin is now trained by David
Loder at Newmarket and Jonny Murtagh was on board on April 13th.

Admire Groove marked her first G1. <16th Nov 03>

 Admire Groove(JPN), 3-y-o filly by Sunday Silence bought at 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale by Riichi Kondo for 230,000,000yen, the top price of the sale and the most expensive filly in the history of sale, captured G1/Queen Elizabeth Second Commemorative Cup, the year-end Championship race for fillies and mares in Japan, at Kyoto Racecourse on November 16th.
 This triomphe is following in the hoofsteps of her dam, Air Groove, the Japanese Horse of the Year and Multiple G1 winner, and her granddam, Dyna Carle, the Japanese Oaks winner, and the great achievement of winning JRA's G1 for three consecutive generations has been completed.
 Admire Groove, trained by Mitsuru Hashida at Ritto Training Center, won three races in a row since her debut, before experiencing her first defeat in the G1/Japanese 1000 Guineas, where he finished third behind Still in Love. Since then, she was disappointing 7th in the G1/Japanese Oaks and runner-up to Still in Love in the G1/Shuka Sho, the final leg of fillies' triple crown, last time out.
 In the Queen Elizbeth Second Commemorative Cup, Admire Groove finaly turned the table and grabbed the victory, beating Still in Love, the fillies' triple-crown winner, by nose, and Tigertail, Graded One Stakes placer in Canada, England, and Italy, was third.

Sundrop made successful debut <09th Sep 03>

 Sundrop(JPN), a two-year-old filly by Sunday Silence out of Night Shift mare Oenothera,
who was bought at 2001 JRHA Select Sale for 50,000,000yen, made her racecource debut at
Lingfield on September 9th and won the maiden in very gutsy style.
 The David Loder-trained filly, one of seven purchases by John Ferguson on behalf of
Sheikh Mohammed at 2001 JRHA Select Sale, was supported by punters as the 10/11 hot favorite
in the maiden of seven furlong over all-weather track, and did not disappoint her spporters
holding Sir Michael Stiute-traied filly Grandalea in second place by head.
 Sundrop(JPN) is entered both in Cheveley Park S and Fillies' Mile, and it is highly
expected she would be competitive in higher class.
 A year younger full sister to Sundrop was also bought by John Ferguson at 2002 JRHA Select
Sale for 50,000,000yen.

Record Breaking 2003 JRHA Select Sale Concluded <10th Jul 03>

 The sixth annual of Select Foal Sale conducted by Japan Horse Racing Association taken place at Northern Horse Park on Monday July 7th and Tueaday July 8th concluded with the record-breaking figures.

 The total sales of two days session was 7,073,200,000 yen, which is 30.0 % more than theprevious year and the record of the sale, and the average price 33,520,000 yen is also 14.5% higher than the last year. In addition, the buy-back rate this year 23.6%, is the lowest in the sales history.
 "This is amazing result, I do not think there is any other sales in the world which sell 7,073 million yen for two days ", Teruya Yoshida, vice chairman of JRHA, said of the recordbreaking sale."
 "This is the sixth annual sale, and the sales graduates have started to show excellent performances at the race tracks. I believe this contributed well to boost the market.
 I understand the power of the last crop by Sunday Silence was great, and it is true that the market was supported by the offsprings by Sunday Silence. On the other hand, I am very glad to see the sons and daughters of young sires were also sold very popular, for example, my farm sold five lots by Agnes Tachyon, and the price of all of them were almost the double of the reserved price I set.
 And what was also pleasing for us was to see a lot of money from new comers was invested in the market.
 I understood there was skeptical outlook about the future of sales, but I am feeling rather optimistic now."


JRHA Select Sale 2003 Day #1

 Black Bay colt by Sunday Silence out of Set Florian, who had her racing career in Australia and finished second in AJC Oaks, just missed to break the record price of the sale as he was bought by Fusao Sekiguchi for 330,000,000yen on the opening day of the 6th annual Select Foal Sale taken place at Northern Horse Park on Monday.
 Hip No.72, own brother to Tiger Cafe, who was second in the Japanese 2000 Guineas in 2002, was recognized as the star in the catalogue. As auctioneer Yoshinobu Nakano called to open the bid at 60,000,000yen, the battle for the colt was immediately heated up and the price went up to 200 million in a few minutes. Then, it became the match race between Fusao Sekigichi, who was sitting with his daughter-in-law Yukari Sekiguchi in front of the auctionreer's stand, and Shigeyuki Okada, who bid through his son Hirokazu Okada who was sitting backside of the sales pavillion. After Sekiguchi made a bid of 330,000,000yen, Okada did not respond to the call of 340,000,000yen made by Nakao.
 The sales record was made last year as a colt by Sunday Silence out of Dancing Key was sold for 335,000,000yen.
 "I thought this is definitely the best horse in the catalogue" said Sekiguchi. "I felt much of Sunday Silence in him as I saw him at the Shadai Farm, (which consigned the colt). This is certainly the big price, but I did not set any ceiling of budget on this horse. I am very happy to acquire such nice racing prospect in my stable". So far, Sekiguchi has not decided who is going to train this colt.

 Earlier the day, Sekiguchi bought Hip#25, a colt by first season sire Kurofune, consigned by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm, for 99 million yen. This smashing colt is out of Fusaichi Airedale, who was carring Sekiguchi's colour as she was in traning and captured four Graded Stakes for Sekiguchi. The underbidder for this lot was Makoto Kaneko, who owned Kurofune as he was in training.
  Sekiguchi who has come back at the JRHA Sale after the absence for three years, spent 568 million yen for four lots on single day.

  As well as the sales topper, the second highest lot on the first day is also consigned by Terry Yoshida's Shadai Farm. Hip#125, a bay colt by Sunday Silence out of Elizabeth Rose, who is own brother to Fusaichi Zenon and Agnes Gold, both of whom are multiple Graded Stakes winners in Japan, is bought for 128 million yen. The ticket is signed by Seiichi Iketani, T.V producer based at Tokyo, and will be the property of his racing stable "Broodmare Company Limited".
 The bar of 100 million yen was also cleared by Hip.46, another colt by Sunday Silence out of Tony Bin mare Hishi Vital, who is from the family of Nureyev and Sadler's Wells. He was bought by Keishiro Kanamori, who recenly bought "Clover Club", the racing syndication for horses in training, from previous owner Hiroyasu Okawa and renamed it as "Gold Horse Club". This bay colt by Sunday Silence will be the property of this racing club and will be trained by Kazuo Fujisawa, leading trainer in Japan, at Miho Traiing Center.

 The top priced filly of the first day was Hip#115, who was bought by Shigeki Goto, Nagoya-based business man and owns his breeding farm "Soda Noen" at Shizunai in Hokkaido, for 80 million yen, which is the highest price for fillies in recent three years.
 The filly by Singspiel out of Silver Lane, Graded Stakes winner in France, is half-brother to Black Hawk, winner of two Graded One Stakes in Japan, and is sold by Lord Loyd-Webber's Watership Down Stud through Irish agent Harry Sweeny's Paca Paca Farm.
 "This price is more than I expected" said Simon Marsh, stud manager of Watership Down who was attending at the sale. "I believe this is the most expensive filly by Singspiel sold at any sales, so that I am very happy. The mare, Silver Lane is now in foal to French Deputy, who is very popular in Japan, and we are thinking to sell this foal at this sale next year as well."


JRHA Select Sale 2003 Day #2

 A colt by "Iron-Horse" Giants Causeway consigned by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm was sold for 160 million yen, the highest price of the second session of 2003 JRHA Select Foal Sale, taken place at Northern Horse Park on Tuesday July 8th.
 Hip#180, colt out of American-bred mare Red Velvet, who is sister to MG1SW General Challenge, was bought by Fusao Sekiguchi, who campaigned Fusaichi Pegasus in America.
 "Honestly speakng, I do not know where he is going to run", said Fusao Sekiguchi, who was asked about the future plan of the colt. "Yes, this colt has the pedigree which can act on dirt in America. But I would like to see how he will grow up. If he proves to be good enough to compete in America, I will try it.".

 Takaya Shimakawa, who bid through his racing manager Kazuhisa Okawa over telephone, acquired Hip#178, bay colt by Sunday Silence out of Lancashire Oaks winner Fanjica, for 154 million yen.
 Shimakawa has decided the trainer neither for this colt nor for a year older Sunday Silence colt whom he bought at Select Sale last year for 335 million yen, which is still standing as the record price of the sale.
 "It is the policy of owner not to decide the trainer so early", said Kazuhisa Okawa who is working for Takaya Shimawaka, who runs natural foods company based at Sendai City.
 "My boss does not make his mind about the trainier until the spring time of two-year-olds".
 Later the day, another colt by Sunday Silence was added to the Shimakawa's strong string as Hip#234 was bought for 132 million yen. The consignment from Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm, out of MSW Sing Like Talk, is the grand son of Free Talk, who was 3rd in Japanese 1000 Guineas and 4th in Japanese Oaks. Hiroshi Fujita of Royal Farm was underbidder.

 The effort to acquire premier racing prospect by Riichi Kondo, who was underbidder for the sales topper, was rewarded as he made the successful bid of 139 million yen for Hip#223, colt by Sunday Silence out of Promotion, Graded Stakes winner in Japan by Hector Protector.
 "I missed Hip#180, but my assesement on #223 is as good as #180. Hence, I am happy", said Riichi Kondo. "The handler of this horse is not decided yet, but I believe a long list of trainers who desire to train him is awaiting." Underbidder for this lot was Makoto Kaneko.

 Hip#246, who has same mating as #180, by Sunday Silence out of Hector Protector mare, was also made the nine figure bid, and bought for 100 million yen by Hisao Tanabe, who runs housing business in Tokyo. The full sister to Seiko Sunday, MSW in Japan, will be trained by Yoshitaka Ninomiya, who was responsible for El Condor Pasa as he was runner-up to Montje in 1999 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Big Taste captured Nakayama Grand Jump <20th Apr 03>

 Big Taste, who was bought at 1998 JRHA Select Sale for 46,000,000yen, captured Nakayama Grand Jump, the international race over hurdles taken place at Nakayama Racecourse on April 19th, beating the quality field, which was including Tiutchev, four time G1 winner from United Kingdom.
 Big Taste is the 50th Graded Stakes winner for his sire Northern Taste, legendary stallion in Japan.

DANUTA by Sunday Silence won UAE Oaks <04th Apr 03>

 Sheikh Mohammed's home-bred Danuta, by Sunday Silence, won UAE Oaks on April 3rd at Nad Al Sheba.
  Danuta, one time winner at U.S.A last year, drew off to a 7.3/4-lemgth victory in the Moonshell Mile, the first leg of UAE triple crown for three-year-olds, on February 20th last time out.
 Danuta was shipped to U.S.A after the race to compete with the top sophomore fillies in U.S.A.

Believe Sprint G1 Double <01st Apr 03>

 Believe, the 60,000,000yen purchase at the 1998 JRHA Select Sale, won the G1/Takamatsunomiya Hai, the premier championship for sprinters in the spring season in Japan, at Chukyo Racecourse near Nagoya on March 23rd.
 Believe has won G1/Sprinter Stakes in Septempber last year, and completed the historic double of the most prestigious sprint race in Japan.
 The total earning of Believe has notched the mark of $3 million now, which is approximately the six times of her purchased price.

JRHA graduates captured two JRA Awards <07th Jan 03>

  Japan Racing Association announced the 2002 JRA Awards on January 6th, and it proved that JRHA has produced two champions of 2002 in Japan.
 Kiyoshi Nishikawa's Manhattan Cafe, who was sold at 1998 JRHA Select Sale by Teruya Yoshida's Shaidai Farm for 130,000,000yen, is named as the Champion Older Colt or Gelding.
 The most notable victory won by Manhattan Cafe in 2002 is the G1/Emperor's Cup Spring in April, beating Jungle Pocket, the Horse of the Year of the previous year. Manhattan Cafe earned the purse valued for 522,834,000yen, and has retired to stand at Shadai Stallion Station.
 The glory of Campion Older Filly or Mare went to Shinobu Osako's Diamond Biko, who captured three graded stakes in 2002, including G2/Hanshin HImba Stakes in December. Diamond Biko was consigned at 1998 JRHA Select Foal Sale by Teruya Yoshida's Shadai Farm and bought by Shinobu Osako for 175,000,00yen. Diamond Biko has earned 327,319,000yen. No definite plan for Diamond Biko in 2003 is announced yet.
 The presentaion ceremony of the 2002 JRA Award will be conducted on January 27th at Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo.

Utopia joined G1 Club <26th Dec 02>

 Makoto Kaneko's Utpia joined the Grade One Club, when he captured G1/Zennihon Nisai Yushun <All Japan Juvenile Championship> on December 25th at Kawasaki.
 The 2-y-o colt by Forty Niner, Utopia, out of Northern Taste mare Dream Vision, was sold at the 2000 JRHA Select Foal Sale by Katsumi Yoshida's Norther Farm for 51,000,000yen.
 Trained by Kojiro Hashiguchi, Utopia won the maiden of 1,400m on dirt at Kyoto in November and won LR/Cyclamen Stakes of 1,400m on dirt at Hanshin on December 8th last time out.
 Utopia, ridden by HIroshi Kawachi, made all the G1/Zen Nihon Nisai Yushun, which is recognized as the most prestigious race contested on dirt for two-year-olds, and the connection is now considering to send Utopia to Dubai in March for the UAE Derby.

Believe head to Hong Kong <28th Nov 02>

  Believe, four-year-old filly owned by Koji Maeda and bred by Uemizu Bokujo, has received the invitation to the G1/Hong Kong Sprint, HK$ 10 million event on December 15th at Sha Tin,and is prepared to compete with top sprinters from all over the world.
  Believe was bought at 1998 JRHA Select Sale for 60,000,000yen, approximately US$428,571 at the exchange rate of the sales day, and has been trained by Shigeki Matsumoto at Ritto Training Center near Kyoto.
  One time winner at 2, Believe has got her first Stakes when she won Daigo Tokubetsu at Kyoto in November 2001, and her first Graded Stakes when she won G3 Centaur Stakes over 1,200m on turf on September 8th at Hanshin this autumn.
  Then, Believe was sent off as the 6 to 5 favorite in the G1/Sprinters' Stakes, taken place at Niigata on September 29th. Believe tracked the pace-setter Shonan Kampf, the winner of G1/Takamatsunomiya Kinen which is the Championship race for sprinters in the spring time, from the third position and draw clear on the homestretch to capture the Stakes with premier grade. Believe will be ridden by Japanese super star Yutala Take at Sha Tin.

Admire Groove impressive debut <11th Nov 02>

  Admire Groove, the top-priced filly at the 2000 JRHA Selected Sale, made very impressive debut at Kyoto on November 10th, when she won 14 runners' maiden of 1,800m on turf.
  By Sunday Silence out of Air Groove, the Horse of the Year in Japan, Admire Groove was bought at 2000 JRHA Selected Sale for 230,000,000yen, approximately US$2,129,629 at the exchange rate of the sales day, by Riichi Kondo.
  Trained by Mitsuru Hashida and ridden by Yutaka Take, Admire Groove was settled at the fifth position in the field and delivered strongest challenge on the homestretch, to win by one and half length.
  Yutaka Take said after the race, "she is still green, but I am sure she is the horse with class."

Manhattan Cafe has been retired <10th Oct 02>

  Manhattan Cafe, triple Graded One Stakes winner emerged from JRHA Selected Sale, has been retired and will stand at Shadai Stallion Station from the 2003 covering season.
  Manhattan Cafe, the 130,000,000yen, approximately US$928,571 at the exchange rate of the sales day, purchase at 1998 JRHA Selected Sale, won G1/Kikka Sho, Japanese St.Leger, and G1/Arima Kinen, the year-end Championship race in Japan, at three, and G1/Emperor's Cup Spring division at four.
  The career earning of Manhattan Cafe is 522,834,000yen, which is more than four times of his purchase price.
  Manhattan Cafe is expected to be the replacement of his sire Sunday Silence, who died in August.

JRHA Select Foal Sale graduate Manhattan Cafe goes to take Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe <18th Sep 02>

Manhattan Cafe(JPN), owned by Kiyoshi Nishikawa and trained by Futoshi Kojima, is trainedvery well at Chantilly for the G1/Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October 6th.
  Manhattan Cafe(JPN), by Sunday Silence out of Subtle Change, is bred by Teruya Yoshida athis Shadai Farm and sold at 1998 Select Foal Sale for 130,000,000yen.
Manhattan Cafe(JPN) won G1/Japanese St Leger in October 2001, beating top colts of hisage, including Jungle Pocket, who subsequently won G1/Japan Cup, and G1/Arima Kinen, theyear-end Grand Prix race in Japan, beating older horses.
  After Manhattan Cafe(JPN) got his therd Graded One Stakes, G1/Emperor's Cup, in April 2002,the connection declared that the ultimate goal for him is the G1/Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
  The bookmakers in England quotes him around at 12/1.