10 September, 2026
The 2026 Hokkaido Summer Sale concluded its six-day run with a record-breaking set of results. A total of 1,103 yearlings were sold, the highest number in the sale's history.
Gross sales reached a record ¥9,527,430,000 (US$61,467,290), while the average price rose 10.6% from last year to a record ¥8,637,742 (US$55,727). The clearance rate also reached a record high of 82.87%, up 5.24 percentage points from last year. The median price was ¥6,600,000 (US$42,581), setting another new record.
The only figure that did not surpass the previous record was the sale-topping price. The top lot sold for ¥59,400,000 (US$383,226), equalling the record set by Ardeluxe (JPN), a colt by Kitasan Black (JPN) out of a Chief Bearhart (CAN) mare Valse Pure (JPN), sold in 2023.
This year's sale topper was Lot 139, a colt by current leading first-crop sire Efforia (JPN). Out of the Gold Allure (JPN) mare Tradition (JPN), the colt was purchased for ¥59,400,000 (US$383,226) by Ichimonkai co. Ltd. He is a half-brother to multiple JRA winners L'Abondance (JPN), Zugvogel (JPN), Unseal (JPN) and Ardechois (JPN).
Three-time Group 1 winner Efforia sold all 23 of his yearlings offered at the 2026 Hokkaido Summer Sale and finished as the sale's leading sire by gross, with total sales of ¥524,700,000 (US$3,385,161).
MAX Training Farm retained its title as the leading consignor at the Hokkaido Summer Sale, selling 80 yearlings for a total of ¥632,830,000 (US$4,082,774).
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) purchased 36 yearlings for a total of ¥343,200,000 (US$2,214,194), retaining its title as the sale's leading buyer. These yearlings will undergo breaking and pre-training at JRA facilities before being reoffered at the 2027 JRA Breeze-Up Sale.
Setting new records across almost every key statistic, the 2026 Hokkaido Summer Sale proved to be an exceptionally strong edition, further demonstrating the strength and depth of Japan's yearling market.
Lot 139, an Efforia (JPN) colt out of Tradition (JPN), sold for ¥59,400,000 (US$383,226).
US$1 = JP¥155
*Written by Toshihiro Onikubo