14 July, 2023
The first Hokkaido Sale yearling sale of 2023 is the Selection Sale on July 25th and 26th. There are 305 lots in this year's renewal, with 216 colts and 89 fillies up for auction. This is the second year in a row that this sale has been expanded into a two-day sale. The sale will be held in the Hokkaido Sales Pavilion in Shizunai, Hokkaido.
There are several very exciting pedigrees in the lineup for 2023. Hip 57 is a daughter of Isla Bonita(JPN) out of Japanese G1 winner T M Precure(JPN). Hip 120 is a Real Steel(JPN) colt out of Argentina G1 winner Shyster(ARG). Hip 170 is a daughter of Saturnalia(JPN) out of American G1 winner Evita Argentina(USA). G1 NHK Mile Cup winner Clarity Sky(JPN)'s half-brother by Rulership(JPN) is Hip 258.
The sale is packed with proven stallions to choose from. Sinister Minister(USA), the sire of G1 winner T O Keynes(JPN), Rulership(JPN), the sire of last year's champion two-year-old Dolce More(JPN), Orfevre(JPN), the sire of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro(JPN), Kizuna(JPN), the sire of three times G1 winner Songline(JPN), and also top stallions like Lord Kanaloa(JPN), Gold Ship(JPN), Maurice(JPN), and Epiphaneia(JPN). Many hot young sires have been on fire in their first few crops available, like the leading freshman sires from 2021 and 2022, Drefong(USA), and Mind Your Biscuits(USA). Several younger or newer stallions are showing great promise on the track, like Shanghai Bobby(USA), Declaration of War(USA), Real Steel(JPN), and Silver State(JPN). The two hottest sires in Japan, champion Equinox(JPN)'s sire Kitasan Black(JPN) and the late great Duramente(JPN), who has many superstars, but his latest is the talented, super filly Liberty Island(JPN).
Starting in June 2023, freshman stallions began to debut on the turf in the JRA circuit. A lot of familiar names will be seen in pedigrees across Japan, like Japan Derby heroes like Rey de Oro(JPN) and Roger Barows(JPN), Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome(USA), two-time Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow(IRE), Japan Cup heroes like Cheval Grand(JPN) and Suave Richard(JPN), American champion two-year-old New Year's Day(USA), Multiple American G1 winner Bricks and Mortar(USA), as well as G1 winners Al Ain(JPN) and Moanin(USA).
A good number of exciting young stallions are making their debut in the yearling sales with their first crop. Multiple G1 winning half brother to Epiphaneia(JPN) Saturnalia(JPN), G1 winning Miler Admire Mars(JPN), G1 winning sprinters like Mr Melody(USA) and Tower of London(JPN), turf and dirt G1 winner Mozu Ascot(USA) and the imported stallion Noble Mission(GB) a full brother to champion sire Frankel(GB). G1-winning dirt horses like Le Vent Se Leve(JPN), Gold Dream(JPN), and the American import Nadal(USA) round out the new kids on the block.
A few foreign sires are also represented this year. Popular established stallions like American Pharoah(USA) and Dark Angel(IRE) are in the sale as well as new up-and-coming international sires like Audible(USA), Blue Point(IRE), Saxon Warrior(JPN), Justify(USA), and Mendelssohn(USA).
The sale has been a great source of top-level horses in the past few years. In 2016, eventual G2 Swan Stakes winner Diatonic(JPN) was sold for ¥32,400,000(US$305,660). In 2018, Deep Bond(JPN) was bought for just ¥17,820,000(US$162,000) and is now a 4-time G2 winner and has finished second in four G1 races to bring home ¥636,546,000(US$4,451,370) in prize money. 2019 saw two talented graduates find success in elite company. North Bridge(JPN) sold for ¥34,560,000(US$322,990) and has since won the G2 American Jockey Club Cup earlier this year. Jack d'Or (JPN) was bought for ¥34,560,000(US$322,990), and after winning a pair of G2s last year, he won the 2023 G1 Osaka Hai in April. Gastrique(JPN) was bought in the 2021 renewal for just ¥17,600,000(US$160,000) and has since repaid it nearly threefold, winning the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai 2-Year-Old Stakes late last year.
2016: $1USD = ¥106
2018: $1USD = ¥110
2019: $1USD = ¥107
2021: $1USD = ¥110
2023: $1USD = ¥143
Don't hesitate to get in touch with our representatives if you are interested in purchasing at any of the Hokkaido Sales or in inquiring about the Japan-bred winner bonus program:
Ms. Satomi Oka
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail: satomi@bloodstock.jp
Tel : +61 414 414 450
Hokkaido Selection Sale Details:
●Sale type: Yearling
●Venue: Hokkaido Sales Pavilion in Shizunai, Hokkaido
●Dates: July 25th (Tue) ～ July 26th (Wed)
July 24th Pre-sale inspections: 11:00 am ～ 3:30 pm
July 25th Sale: 11:00 am ～
July 26th Sale: 11:00 am ～
●Number of cataloged lots: 305
●Online catalog available at: https://www.hba.or.jp/en.php