13 August, 2025
The Hokkaido Selection Sale, one of only two premier yearling sales in Japan, was held on Monday, July 21st, and Wednesday, July 23rd. Day 1 of the sale was the premium session, where 108 yearlings were sold for an average of ¥28,274,074 (US$188,494). This was 19 fewer horses sold than in last year's premium session, but the average price was nearly the same as last year.
Overall, 308 yearlings grossed ¥6,314,000,000 (US$42,093,333) with an average price of ¥20,500,000 (US$136,667) and a median of ¥17,600,000 (US$117,333). The average price increased by 6.7% compared to a year ago, while the median rose by 16.4%. The clearance rate for the sale slightly dropped to 84.9%, from 85.1% in 2024.
The sale was considered a success, returning to a 2-day format as opposed to the 3-day format in 2024. However, it did not break the records set by the 2023 sale. Compared to the results from 2023, the average price was down by 10.6%, the median dipped by 5.9%, and the clearance rate fell to 84.9% from 91.9% in 2023.
The highest price of the sale was for Lot 45, a Kitasan Black (JPN) colt out of Secondary Market (USA), which sold for ¥96,800,000 (US$645,333) from Sakai Bokujo to Wiseman. He is the second foal of his dam, with her first foal, a colt by Contrail (JPN), selling for ¥79,200,000 (US$528,000) at the 2024 Hokkaido Selection Sale. The 2-year-old, Gene King (JPN), has been placed twice in his two starts in JRA.
Kitasan Black (JPN) offered 12 yearlings, all of which were sold for an average of ¥43,816,667 (US$292,111). This was the highest average of the sale among sires with multiple yearlings sold. One of Japan's most expensive advertised sires, Kitasan Black (JPN) justifies his stud fee of ¥20,000,000 (US$133,333).
Chestnut Farm sold 21 yearlings for a total of ¥399,850,000 (US$2,665,667) and claimed the title of leading consignor by gross. The top ten lots of the sale were all from different consignors this year.
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) acquired 19 yearlings, the largest number at the sale. JRA also claimed the leading buyer title by gross, with ¥255,750,000 (US$1,705,000). The yearlings purchased by the JRA will go through the breaking and pre-training process at their facilities and will be offered at the JRA Breeze-Up Sale in 2026.
With the premier yearling sales in Japan now completed for 2025, the next yearling sale is the six-day Hokkaido Summer Sale. A total of 1,462 yearlings have been entered, and the Summer Sale is set to begin on Monday, August 18th.
Lot 45, a Kitasan Black (JPN) colt out of Secondary Market (USA) sold for ¥96,800,000 (US$645,333).
US$1 = JP¥150
*Written by Toshihiro Onikubo
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Satomi Oka Bloodstock Pty Ltd
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