17 July, 2024
The Hidaka Horse Breeders' Association's premier sale, Hokkaido Selection Sale, has catalogued 501 yearlings for this year's edition, the largest number in its lengthy history. Previously instalments of the auction used to be held on a single day following a day of exhibitions. However, it was extended to two days to cope with the increasing demand from breeders to offer yearlings. For 2024, The Hidaka Horse Breeders' Association has decided to increase the length of the sale even further. The boutique sale will be held over three days this year without an inspection day, and with the 1st day being a premium session. The auction will start at 11:30 am each day with lots available for exhibition from 8:30 am.
The opening day of the Hokkaido Selection Sale has been branded as the premium session. A select group of 140 yearlings will go through under the hammer. 53 of the session's lots (37.8%) are either out of a black type mare and/or black type producer, while 71 out of 361 lots (19.6%) in the final two days can claim the same.
The unbeaten 2020 Japanese Triple Crown winner, Contrail (JPN) will have his first crop at the yearling sales this year with four yearlings on offer at the Hokkaido Selection Sale. Lot 24 is the only one out of a black type winner. His dam, Teorema (JPN) is a multiple black type winner and this is her first foal.
Some notable progenies of imported sires will have their first crop at the yearling sales. Three-time Group one winner, Benbatl (GB) has five yearlings in this sale including Lot 43, a colt, half-brother to a Group 3 winner, Set Up (JPN). Lot 104, also a colt, is out of a Group 3 winner, Crown Rose (JPN). US bred French juvenile Group one winner, Van Gogh (USA) also has eight of his first yearlings catalogued. Three of them are out of black type mare or producer including Lot 106, a colt out of Flower Rock (JPN), a half-brother to Justin Rock (JPN), a juvenile Group 3 winner.
There are also a couple of interesting yearlings who were purchased while in utero at international bloodstock sales. Lot 69, a son of Tom's d'Etat (USA) out of My Love Venezuela (USA), a half-brother to a Group 3 winner, Sy Dog (USA). His dam was sold for US$200,000 at the Keeneland November Sale in 2022. Tom's d'Etat (USA) is a first season two-year-old sire who had his first winner at Belterra Park last month. Lot 96, a Dark Angel (IRE) colt out of a black type mare, Qatar Power (FR). The mare was sold at the Arqana December Sale for EUR 85,000 with the colt in utero. Dark Angel (IRE) has 12 individual winners from 14 runners including a Group 1 winning sprinter, Mad Cool (IRE) in Japan.
In terms of Japanese domestic sires, Kitasan Black (JPN) is currently standing for JP¥ 20 million (US$ 125,000), and he is the most expensive sire offering yearlings at the premier sale. He has 12 yearlings including Lot 44, a half-brother to a Group 3 placed, Power Hall (JPN) and Lot 116, out of dual Graded Stakes winner, Paddock Seattle (ARG).
The Hokkaido Selection Sale has been renewing its record of average price and clearance rate for the last three consecutive years. The premier sale will be held at the Hokkaido Sales Complex from July 22nd to 24th.
US$1 = JP¥160
*Written by Toshihiro Onikubo
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Satomi Oka (Ms)
Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
E-mail : satomi@bloodstock.jp
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