While the yearling session of 2020 JRHA Select Sale started under cool weather with a little rain at Northern Horse Park on Monday 13th, the market was hot all way through the day.
Second yearling by Deep Impact offered at the session, Hip#36, filly by Teddy’s Promise, is bought by Kieffers Co Ltd for 240,000,000yen US$2,242,991.
“I think this is the one which I shouldn’t miss to buy today”, Masaaki Matsushima representing Kieffers said of the latest recruitment, “As always, my dream is to win Arc de Triomphe and this is the one to aim the Arc in 2022.” Mikio Matsunaga at Ritto Training Center will train the filly out of the winner of G1/La Brea Stakes at Santa Anita.
Masaaka Matsushima keeps some horses in training in Europe recently. One of them is Japan trained by Aiden O’Brien and Matsushima co-owns the Galileo colt with Coolmore partnership.
The highest record at yearling session is established when Hip#56, colt by Deep Impact out of Forever Darling, went through the ring. The consignment from Northern Farm, out of G2/Santa Ynez Stakes winner, is bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co.Ltd for 400,000,000yen, US$3,738,318, which surpassed the price of Last Groove who was bought for 360,000,000yen in 2011 and The Rest Nowhere who was bought for 360,000,000yen in 2019.
“I think there are two outstanding yearlings in the catalogue and this is one them”, Yoshiki Okada, racing manager to Masahiro Noda, commented about the colt. “This is big strong colt, which may not be typical progeny by Deep Impact. But he is a very good mover. I visited Northern Farm to inspect yearlings for several time and he always looked fantastic. And Mr.Noda saw him yesterday and decided to buy him. I believe he stays mile and half, and hope he will be our Derby horse.”
“While I expected high price, as several major owners are interested in this colt, I did not expect the price more than 300 million yen.” said Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, the consignor of colt. “Mr.Noda visited Northern Farm yesterday and said this is the pick of day. I would like to express my sincerely thanks to owners and trainers who travel to Hokkaido under current challenging situation.”
As expected, hot bidding war was seen for Hip#67, colt by Deep Impact and the half brother to La Cressoniere, unbeaten winner of G1/French 1000 Guineas and G1/French Oaks, is bought by Kaneko Makoto Holding s Co Ltd for 220,000,000yen, US$2,056,075.
“Mr.Kaneko visited our barn this morning and this colt caught his fancy”, said Teruya Yoshoda of Shadai Farm, the consignor of colt. “I am very happy with the price of this colt and very happy with today’s market, which is stronger than I expected”
The record of Hip#56 lived very shortly, only for two hours, as Hip#114, colt by Deep Impact out of Sheave, consigned by Northern Farm, is bought for 510,000,000yen, US$4,766,356, by Tetsuhide Kunimoto.
“I am involved in ownership of racehorses for more than 35 years and I am sure this is one of the best yearlings I have ever seen”, Kunimoto said of the sales topper. “I visited Northern Farm three times to inspect yearlings and went to the barn of Northern Farm at sales ground this morning, when I am determined to buy him. Price is no object with regard to this colt and I hope his quality is as high as his price.” Kunimoto also says the colt will be trained by Tomokazu Takano, who trained Shonan Pandora, winner of Japan Cup in 2015, for Tetsuhide Kunimoto.
It is obvious that the second last crop by Deep Impact boosted the market. From 13 yearlings by Deep Impact were offered, 12 of them were sold for 2,497,000,000yen in total and the average price is 208,083,333yen, US$1.94 million.
On Monday, 229 lots were sold for 10,428,000,000yen in total, which is 2.8% decline as compares with 2019. The average price, 45,537,118yen, is 5.9% decline. The clearance rate is 92.0%, which was 92.9% last year.
Please visit the website of JRHA for detailed results.

https://www.jrha-selectsale.com/

“This is amazing market” Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, leading consignor at the session, commented at the conclusion of first day. “I was actually worried about the market, because there were travel restrictions until June 19th in Japan and owners/trainers could not come here to inspect yearlings catalogued until then. I am very happy with the gross sale, which is the second highest at yearling session, and am more than happy with the clearance rate, 92.0%. I would like to express my sincerely thanks to owners and trainers who supported the market.”
The foal session starts at 10:00am on Tuesday.