08 October, 2026
The 2026 Hokkaido September Sale commenced on Monday, September 14. Over the four-day sale, 509 yearlings were sold for a total of ¥2,561,790,000 (US$16,011,188). The average price was ¥5,032,986 (US$31,456), down 1.8% from last year, while the clearance rate fell 4.11 percentage points to 75.86%. The median price also declined, from ¥4,400,000 (US$27,500) last year to ¥3,850,000 (US$24,063).
Six-time Group 1 winner Equinox (JPN) was represented by two of his first yearlings at the sale. The only one to sell was Lot 712, a filly out of the Street Sense (USA) mare Fashion Street (USA). A half-sister to JRA winner Kosoku le Lien (JPN), she was purchased by Normandy Farm for ¥39,600,000 (US$247,500).
The highest-priced colt was Lot 143, by Real Steel (JPN), sold for ¥ 27,500,000 (US$171,875). He is out of JRA winner Sirtuin (JPN), while his second dam, Tokai Life (JPN), has produced multiple graded stakes winner Lebensstil (JPN), who is also by Real Steel.
Danon Legend (USA), a son of Macho Uno (USA), sold 17 yearlings for a total of ¥101,090,000 (US$631,813) to finish as the sale's leading sire by gross. Moanin (USA), a son of Henny Hughes (USA), followed with ¥95,590,000 (US$597,438), ahead of Cafe Pharoah (USA), a son of American Pharoah (USA), who grossed ¥92,620,000 (US$578,875). Sires from prominent American dirt lines dominated the standings by gross.
Craic Stable was the leading consignor at the 2026 Hokkaido September Sale, selling 28 yearlings for a total of ¥155,430,000 (US$971,438). Mombetsu Bokujo Co., Ltd. followed with 22 yearlings sold for ¥111,870,000 (US$699,188).
The Japan Racing Association (JRA) purchased 14 yearlings for a total of ¥122,870,000 (US$767,938), retaining its title as the sale's leading buyer by gross. These yearlings will undergo breaking and pre-training at JRA facilities before being reoffered at the 2027 JRA Breeze-Up Sale.
Six of Japan's seven yearling sales have now been completed, with only the Hokkaido Autumn Sale remaining. The final yearling sale of the season is scheduled to take place on October 13 and 14.
Lot 712, an Equinox (JPN) filly out of Fashion Street (USA), sold for ¥39,600,000 (US$247,500).
US$1 = JP¥160
*Written by Toshihiro Onikubo