07 August, 2026
The 2026 Hokkaido Selection Sale, one of only two premier yearling sales in Japan, was held on Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21.
Overall, 269 yearlings grossed ¥5,782,480,000 (US$36,140,500), with an average price of ¥21,496,208 (US$134,351) and a median of ¥17,600,000 (US$110,000). The average price increased by 4.9% compared with last year, while the median remained unchanged. The clearance rate also improved to 90.0%, up from 84.9% in 2025. The sale recorded the second-highest average price and clearance rate in its history.
The sale topper was Lot 42, a colt by Saturnalia (JPN) out of Medjerda (JPN), which sold for ¥88,000,000 (US$550,000) from Murata Bokujo to Jun Fukumoto. His half-sister, multiple graded stakes winner Puro Magic (JPN), has been one of Japan's leading fillies.
Current leading two-year-old sire Efforia (JPN) was represented by 11 yearlings, which grossed ¥401,500,000 (US$2,509,375). The freshman sire finished as the sale's leading sire by gross. Kitasan Black (JPN), one of Japan's highest-priced stallions, sold five of his six yearlings to record an average price of ¥55,440,000 (US$346,500), making him the leading sire by average price.
MAX Training Farm sold 21 yearlings for a total of ¥400,950,000 (US$2,505,938) to claim the title of leading consignor by gross.
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) purchased 20 yearlings, the largest number acquired by any buyer at the sale. JRA also retained its title as the leading buyer by gross, spending ¥255,200,000 (US$1,595,000). The yearlings purchased by the JRA will undergo breaking and pre-training at JRA facilities before being offered at the 2027 JRA Breeze-Up Sale.
With Japan's premier yearling sales now completed for 2026, attention turns to the six-day Hokkaido Summer Sale. A total of 1,406 yearlings have been catalogued, and the sale is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 17.
Lot 42, a Saturnalia (JPN) colt out of Medjerda (JPN) sold for ¥88,000,000 (US$550,000).
US$1 = JP¥160
*Written by Toshihiro Onikubo