31 May, 2017
Darley sent Hard Spun(USA) to Japan in 2015 for what ended up being a one season trip for the son of Danzig(USA) before returning to the United States after a banner year for his US-born progeny. In Tuesday's HBA Hokkaido Training Sale, he sired the sale-topping colt, Lot 231, bought by Hong Kong's Yeung Kin Man for ¥55,080,000 (US$492,910; £380,273; €440,708) and the highest priced filly, Lot 168, bought by Northern Farm for ¥22,680,000(US$202,931; £156,583; €181,452). Henny Hughes(USA)'s first Japan-bred crop was also highly prized, and his four lots grossed ¥58,860,000.
Of the 208 lots to go through the ring, 155 sold grossing ¥1,285,092,000 with an average of ¥8,290,916 and median of ¥6,480,000. All three are records for this sale. Since the purchase of eventual six-time G1 winner and 2015 JRA Horse of the Year Maurice at the 2013 HBA Hokkaido Training Sale, Japan's largest training sale has been reinvigorated, showing steady increases across the board. Before Maurice's success the gross, while on a general upward trend through the years jumped from ¥879,562,800 in 2014 to ¥1,089,504,000 in 2015 and to ¥1,118,664,000 in 2016. The average has increased by ¥1,870,000 since Maurice's success on the track began in 2014, while the median has gone up by ¥1,190,000.
Another milestone for the HBA Hokkaido Training Sale was the number of foreign buyers in attendance and the top lot going to an overseas buyer. While a few foreign buyers have always made it a point to attend the sales in Japan, this year brought a record ten separate groups of buyers from all over Asia looking to cash in on Japan's increasing international success.
In 2012, Maurice was purchased for ¥1,575,000 at the Hokkaido Summer Sale before being sent to the HBA Training Sale in 2013. Word spread quickly around the crowded pavilion that Northern Farm was out to buy the powerful son of Japan Cup victor Screen Hero so few planned to bid against them. To make their desire clear one bid of ¥10,000,000 was made and no one challenged. Maurice's six G1 titles, 2015 Horse of the Year Award have been well documented, but the impact he has had on the small breeders and consigners of the Hidaka region of Hokkaido has been equally as impressive and much more meaningful to the everyday horseman of Japan.
The Hokkaido Training Sale is held at Sapporo Racecourse around the time of the Japanese Oaks every May. The Hokkaido Sale is Japan's largest sale holder, hosting four sales annually: May's Hokkaido Training Sale(1 Day), July's Selection Sale(1 Day), August's Summer Sale(5 Days), and October's Autumn Sale(3 Days).
Click for the full results of the HBA's Hokkaido Training Sale.
http://www.jbis.jp/seri/2017/12B1/sale/
Please contact our representative below for further details:
Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
Tel : +61 414 414 450