(15th Jul 25)

Foal session of JRHA Select Sale 2025

Tuesday 15th was cooler day at Tomakomai, as midday temperature dropped from 27.5 degrees Celsius on 14th to 22.1 degrees Celsius on 15th, market at foal session of 2025 Select Sale on Tuesday was heated up as like previous day.

Hip318, first Equinox(JPN) foal offered at public auction, was bought by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co.Ltd for 230,000,000yen, US$1,554,055. The filly is sixth foal out of Camprock(FR), winner of G3/Prix Penelope, who was bought at Arqana December Sale in 2016 by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm for 850,000eur.

Hip327, half bother to Kitasan Black(JPN), who was awarded as Japanese Horse of the Year twice, was bought by Y’s consignment sale for 220,000,000yen, US$1,486,487. The coly by Contrail(JPN) goes to the barn of Yoshito Yahagi, who trained Contrail, the Japanese Triple Crown winner in 2020. “When this colt was born, the dam was 20-year-old. I could not believe it when I saw this colt for the first time at Yanagawa Farm. He is very nice individual and I hope he runs Japanese Derby for his owner.”

Hip329, colt by Equinox(JPN) out of Caledonia Road(USA), US Champion Juvenile Filly in 2017, was bought by Koichiro Yamaguchi for 200,000,000yen, US$1,351,352. “We are very interested in first crop by Equinox”, Hiroyasu Takeuchi, adviser to the buyer says. “We inspected all foal by Equinox in the catalogue and judged this is the best one. His dam had a lot of speed and it is one of attractive points. He will be trained by Yoshito Yahagi.”

Hip344, colt by Equinox(JPN) out of Midnight Bisou(USA), was widely recognized as a “star in catalogue”, And he proves to be first-magnitude star at foal session of JRHA Select Sale 2025,
as he was bought by Nebraska Racing, partnership which includes existing principal Japanese owner, for 580,000,000yen, US$3,918,919, the highest price at the session. 580,000,000yen is the third highest price in the history of JRHA Select Sale
Midnight Bisou, US Champion Older Dirt Mare in 2019, was bought by Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm at Keeneland November Sale in 2022, when she was in foal to Tapit, for US$5.5 million. The 2025 colt by Equinox is her fourth foal.

Hip360, colt by Kitasan Black was bought by TO Racing LLC for 210,000,000yen, US$1,418,919.
“I bought this colt, because my trainer, Hiroyuki Uemura, recommends this colt strongly”, Teruo Ono of TO Racing LLC comments after the purchase. Uemura trains Arna Veloce(JPN), three-year-old filly, who won G1/Hanshin Juvenile Fillies for TO Racing. Uemura says “I fell in love with him when I visited Northern Farm to inspect foals. I hope to train him for three-year-old classic races in 2028”

Hip378, colt by Frankel out of Blurry Memory by Justify, was bought byDMM.com LLC for 130,000,000yen, US$.878,379. Yoshito Yahagi, who trains this colt, says, "he is a very good mover. Although his pedigree is very American, I think he is suitable individual to run in Japan."

Hip389, colt by Contrail(JPN) was bought by Junko Kondo for 220,000,000yen, US$1,486,487.
“When I saw him for the first time at Northern Farm, I felt a lot of influence of Deep Impact in him”, Yasuo Tomomichi, who trains this colt for Junko Kondo, comments. “He is a very nice individual and he has pedigree with the highest class, as his dam is winner of G1/Fillies Mile at Newmarlet. And broodmare sire is Kingman and sire of second dam is Galileo, both of them are champions in Europe. And he is by Japanese Champion. The owner and I share the feeling that this is the pick of day, and I am very happy to have him at my barn.”

Hip407, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN) out of Simply Glorious(USA) was bought by Sakaguchi Naohiro for 500,000,000yen, US$3378379. Makoto Saito, who trains the colt for Sakaguchi comments. “I have seen him at Northern Farm for three times and find he has been getting better and better.” “He is well-balanced, walks beautifully, and is very elegant thoroughbred. I strongly recommend this colt to Mr,Sakaguchi.” “As he is by Kitasan Black, I expect him to run well over middle distance or longer on turf”. His second dam, Misty For Me(IRE), is European Champion Juvenile Filly in 2010.

Hip431, colt by Equinox(JPN) out of Going to Vegas(USA), who completed back-to back win of G1/Rodeo Drive Stakes, was bought by Yoshihisa Ozasa for 450,000,000yen, US$3,040,541.
“I am about to cry, because this is too expensive,” Yoshihisa Ozasa says with a big smile. “My trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, suggests me I have to buy this colt. And as he was sitting next to me, I could not stop bidding,”
“This is very nice horse and has gorgeous pedigree behind him. As I am convinced this is the best foal in today’s catalogue, I tried to save my budget until this colt went up at sales ring.”
“I hope he will be competitive in three-year-old classic races in 2028”

“This is unrealistic market”, Teruya Yoshida, active chairman of JRHA, comments at the conclusion of 2025 JRHA Select Sale.
“Market at every price range was very strong through two days, and I think I have never seen such market in the world. While I would like to thank long-establishing client, I am very impressed to see so many news players and it is amazing that those new players do not hesitate to invest a big amount of money on horses we offered at this market. I feel that Japanese owners enjoy ownership, even if it is not profitable. Horse racing in Japan is very attractive entertainment now”
“We have strong roster of stallions………, proven stallions such as Kitasan Black and Kizuna, and young promising stallion such as Contrail. And this year, Equinox has joined such strong stallion roster in Japan.”
“Japanese breeders have been trying to improve the quality of broodmares for year, importing fillies and mares with the highest quality from America, Europe and rest of word. Yearlings and foals out of those mares are sold very well and we are now afford to import another quality mares.”
“Japanese-trained runners are performing well at international stage and I think this is another factor behind this strong market“.

228 lots were sold for 17,154,000,000yen in total on foal session of 2025 JRHA select Sale, which is 19.0% increase from 2024. Average price, 75,236842yen, is 20.5% up from 2024, while clearance rate declines from 96.8% in 2024 to 95.0% in 2025.

453 lots were sold for 32,700,000,000yen in total through two-days session of 2025 JRHA Select Sale. Which is 13.1% increase from 2024. Average price, 72,185,430yen, is 13.6% up from 2024. And clearance rate improved from 96.4% in 2024 to 97.0% in 2025.

Further details about statistic are available at http://www4.jrha.or.jp/eng/figure_2025.html

(14th Jul 25)

Yearling session of JRHA Select Sale 2025

First lot at 2025 JRHA Select Sale was bought by Yoshiro Kubota, who has been enjoying ownership for more than two decades, for 260,000,000yen, US$1,756,757. The yearling colt by Contrail(JPN) was consigned by Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm.
“My grandfather was looking for a nice Contrail yearling”, Shunsuke Kuboda, grandson of the buyer commented. ”We visited the farms of main consignors to inspect yearlings and we think this is the best Contrail in this catalogue. We visited his barn this morning and were convinced this is the one to buy. We have not decided the trainer for this yearling yet”.

Yoshihisa Ozasa, one of the biggest spenders at JRHA in recent years, made a splash when he bought Hip21, yearling colt by Indy Champ(JPN). “First crop by Indy Champ, which is two-year-old this year, has been running well and my attention centered on this young sire”. Yoshihisa Ozasa commented. “Though the mare is quite old, she has been sending good winners and I think she still has chance to produce another good winner. While Indy Champ was a miler, I hope this yearling stays mile and half,”

Hip45, yearling colt by Kitasan Black(JPN) out of Mosheen(AUS), winner of four Graded Stakes at her home nation, was bought by Nebraska Racing, partnership which includes existing principal owner, for 420,000,000yen, US$2,837,838, the highest price at the session. Direct underbidder was Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co.Ltd. The consignment from Northern Racing is half-brother to Primo Scene(JPN) by Deep Impact, who won three Graded Stakes and finished second in G1/Victoria Mile in Japan.

John Stewart of Resolute Bloodstock, who sent his Goliath(GER) to Japan for Japan Cup in November 2924, bought Hip69, yearling filly by Kitasan Black(JPN) for 170,000,000yen, US$1,148649.
"Hip 69 is all about the Dam’s pedigree for us”, John Stewart spoke to Emma Berry of TDN, “I see this sale as an opportunity to bring some of the bloodlines back to the US that have been exported. We have a few Galileo mares and Photo Call had a nice career here in the states. Kitasan Black is really doing well and we like this as a pedigree for future breeding. This filly will be headed back to states.” "I think our participation in this sale is a testament to the wonderful job the Japanese have done importing many top mares and stallions to their country from around the world. We appreciate Northern farm for breeding such a nice selection of quality horses.
"We will be active tomorrow with some foals that we have our eyes on."

Susumu Fujita, owner of Forever Young(JPN), the world highest-rated horse in 2025, did not miss to buy his half-brother, as he managed to buy Hip77, yearling colt by Rey De Oro(JPN) for 300,000,000yen, US$2,027,028.
“This is very nice horse and I strongly recommend Mr,Fujita to buy this yearling”, Yoshito Yahagi,
who trains Forever Young and will train his half brother, commented. “I have a feeling that this yearling may act on turf well.”
“I am very happy if he becomes another Dirt Champion”, Susumu Fujita says with a big smile. “If he runs well on turf, I am more than happy.”

Hip80, yearling filly by Kitasan Black(JPN) out of Rabbit Run(USA), winner of G2/Rose Stakes, was bought by Masahide Abe for 320,000,000yen, US$2,162,163.
“I am here to buy nice yearling by Kitasan Black(JPN) and I think this is the best Kitasan Black in this catalogue”, Masahide Abe comments. “He is well-boned, has strong body, and is very good mover. I am very glad to buy him.”

225 lots were sold for 15,546,000,000yen in total on the opening session of 2025 JRHA Select Sale, which is 7.2% increase from 2024, and the average price, 69,093,333yen, is 6.8% up from 2024. The clearance rate improved from 96.1% in 2024 to 99.1% in 2025.

“There were more than 200 visitors at our Northern Farm yesterday, which is 30% more than last year. Therefore, I expected active market, but this is actually more active I expected”, Katsumi Yoshida, Director of JRHA and owner of Northern Farm, the biggest consignor at the session,
commented at the conclusion of session.
“We have strong roster of stallions here in Japan and the quality of broodmare in Japan is very high standard now. And I understand all consignors did a very good job to prepare their yearlings for today’s session. I think the owners could make big investment with confidence.”

Foal session of 2025 JRHA Select Sale on Tuesday 15th starts at 9:30am at Northern horse Park.

(16th Jun 25)

NATURAL RISE captured double victory for the Dirt Triple Crown

In its second year since inception, the 71st running of the Tokyo Derby (Jpn1), the second leg of the three-year-old Dirt Triple Crown, was held on June 11 at Oi Racecourse. The overwhelming favorite, Natural Rise claimed victory following his win in the Haneda Hai, becoming the first horse to capture the first two legs of the newly established Dirt Triple Crown. He is expected to go directly to the final leg, the Japan Dirt Classic, scheduled for October 8 at Oi.
Natural Rise was switched on right from the start. Despite tossing his head, he surged to the front and began widening the gap. The pair of him and jockey Takeshi Yokoyama managed to conserve enough energy before hitting the final stretch. Then, boring sharply inward and nearly grazing the rail made his momentum loss a lot. But his stride never weakened and finished by 2.1/2L.
Trainer Keizo Ito explained, “The pacifier helped a lot-he was really calm during warm-up canter. But with the long run-up to the first corner in Oi’s 2000 meters, he just wanted to go.” “You can already tell from his walk in the paddock-his range of motion is wide, and his ability is clear. Normally, a horse wouldn’t be able to finish strong from that kind of trip,” the trainer added, praising his colt without hesitation.
Natural Rise was hammered down to Hiroyuki Yoshioka at JRHA Select Sale Foal session in 2022. Won the newcomer race by 6L at Sapporo last July, he then came back from four-month layoff and won the open class race Cattleya Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo in November before placing 4th in the Zennihon Nisai Yushun (JPN1, 1600m) at Kawasaki in December. He started off this term with a victory in the Keihin Hai (JPN2) at Oi in March before the two Dirt Triple Crown wins. He will rest over the summer at Grand Stud in his native Hokkaido, before returning to aim for the third crown in the Japan Dirt Classic (2000m)-at the same venue as this race.

Natural Rise

Sire: Kizuna
Dam: Lady Madonna
Sire of Dam: Distorted Humor
H3
Consigned: Grand Stud

(27th May 25)

JRHA Select Sale saw its fourth G1 winner in the Japanese Oaks this year

The 86th running of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) was held at Tokyo on Sunday, where fourth favorite Kamunyak came from behind to claim her first G1 victory.
Breaking sharply in front of the grandstand, Kamunyak allowed her outside rivals to go ahead and settled smoothly into position as they entered the first turn. The race developed at a moderate pace, with the first 1000 meters covered in exactly one minute, and Kamunyak tracked the leaders comfortably from mid-pack down the backstretch. As the field tightened approaching the final bend, she advanced gradually through the turn. Hitting top gear in the homestretch, she unleashed a powerful finishing kick, covering the final 600m in 33.8 seconds and engaged in a fierce duel with Arma Veloce, who had taken the lead earlier. In the final strides, the daughter of Black Tide edged ahead and crossed the wire in triumph. Anticipation is already building to see what kind of performance she will deliver in the G1 Shuka Sho this fall, where she will aim for the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara. Kamunyak was sold at 2023 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session for 70,000,000yen by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co.,Ltd.
Arma Veloce, a runner-up in this thrilling finish is also a graduate of the same yearling market, making this the one-two finish in a major race involving two sale graduates.

(1st May 25)

NATURAL RISE scores emphatic win in the Haneda Hai

On April 29, the 70th running of the Haneda Hai (Jpn1), the first leg of the three-year-old dirt Triple Crown in its second year of establishment, was held at NAR-Oi Racecourse. Natural Rise, ridden by Takeshi Yokoyama, broke away from a stalking position to win decisively, living up to his status as the overwhelming 1.3 odds-on favorite. With this first title under his belt, he now aims for a second crown in the Tokyo Derby at Oi on June 11.
Breaking sharply, Natural Rise settled in third on the outside, tracking the pacesetter Smile Mambo and the undefeated Jadadriyah. “He’s not the fastest out of the gate, so I just let the quicker horses go ahead and tried to get him to relax behind them,” said Yokoyama. “It wasn’t easy to settle him, but he did well.” Despite a strong eagerness to run, the colt remained manageable. Entering the stretch, Yokoyama sent him to the front with confidence, and he drew away with ease to the wire, 5-length ahead of the runner-up.
Yokoyama also stated, “He’s still rough around the edges, but he’s steadily maturing step by step. I hope he keeps developing in the right direction.”
Hammered down to Hiroyuki Yoshioka for 33,000,000yen in the 2022 JRHA Select Sale Foal session, Natural Rise showed the overwhelming performance, winning by six lengths in the newcomer race (1700m, dirt) at Sapporo in July 2024. He finished fourth in the JPN1 Zennihon Nisai Yushun in December at JRA-Kawasaki racecourse and started off this term with six-length win in the JPNII Keihin Hai (1700m, dirt) at Oi in March last time.

Natural Rise

Sire: Kizuna
Dam: Lady Madonna
Sire of Dam: Distorted Humor
H3
Consigned: Grand Stud

(1st Apr 25)

SATONO REVE notched his first G1 triumph in the Takamatsunoiya Kinen

Satono Reve delivered his impressive performance from the middle position and secured his first G1 victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m, turf) at Chukyo on Sunday. Ridden by Joao Moreira who has received the JRA short-term stint, Satono Reve not only avenged his half-brother Hakusan Moon’s defeat in the race ten years ago and but also saw him follow in the footsteps of his sire Lord Kanaloa.
Opting to hold back just behind the leading pack after a good start, he used other horses as windshields to conserve energy until the crucial moment. With 250 meters to go, he swung Satono Reve to the outside and ignited his finishing kick.
Hammered down to Hajime Satomi for 54,000,000yen in the 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal session, the 6-year-old horse by Lord Kanaloa, Satono Reve took his first graded race success in the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes (1200m) in June and won the following G3 Keeneland Cup (1200m) in August. He finished disappointing 7th in the G1 Sprinters Stakes but showed his class when finishing 3rd in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint last time.

Satono Reve

Sire: Lord Kanaloa
Dam: Ciliege
Sire of Dam: Sakura Bakushin O
C6
Consigned: Shirai Farm Co.,LTD