(14th Jul 26)

2026 JRHA Select Sale, Foal Session on Day 2

Momentum at Yearling Session on Monday is taken over at Foal Session on Tuesday, when the market was still strong.
Hip320, filly by Kitasan Black(JPN), was bought by TO Racing LLC for 160,000,000yen, US$987,655. The filly is fourth foal out of Nicest(IRE), who finished third in G1/Irish Oaks in 2021. “My trainer, Hiroyuki Uemura, and I looked for a classic prospect, who could stay mile and half, and we agreed this is the filly to buy.” Hideaki Masaoka, representative of TO Racing comments. “As we visited Northern Farm on the other day, we liked her. And we had same impression when we saw her walking in parade ring this morning. While it is an expensive purchase, I understand it is necessary investment to buy a Classic dream.”
Hip329, colt by Equinox(JPN) was bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co Ltd for 310,000,000yen, US$1,913,581, The colt is third foal out of Funstar(AUS), winner of G1/Flight Stakes, and Funstar’s half sister is Youngstar(AUS), winner of G1/Queensland Oaks.
Hip341, colt by Do Deuce(JPN) consigned by Shadai Farm, was bought by Mikuni Co Ltd for 250,000,000yen, US$1,543,210. The colt is sixth foal out of Coppa(USA), winner of G3/Victory Ride Stakes, who was bought by Shadai Farm for $250,000 at Keeneland January Sale in 2018. Her first foal is Tudo de Bom(JPN), who won G3/Sekiya Kinen in 2024. “My owner is a great supporter of Do Deuce and we looked for a nice foal by Do Deuce”, Takumi Nishioka, racing manager at Mikuni Co Ltd, comments. “When we visited Shadai Farm on the other day to inspect foals, my owner fell in love with his colt and recognizes this is the best Do Deuce foal in the catalogue.” “And as we saw him this morning again, we are convinced to buy this colt.”
Hip342, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN), was bought by Susumu Fujita for 300,000,000yen, US$1,851,852. The colt is seventh foal out of Wavell Avenue(CAN), winner of G1/Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. First foal out of Wavel Avenue is Grenadier Guards(JPN), winner of G1/Asahi Hai Futurity in 2020.
Hip372, colt by Equinox(JPN) was bought by ANIMA Racing for 330,000,000yen, US$2,037,038. The colt consigned by Okada Stud is second foal out of Daring Tact(JPN), winner of Triple Crown for three-year-old filly in 2020. “My farm has never sold a horse we bred for more than 100,000,000yen, and I am excited about this price,” Makio Okada of Okada Stud comments. “He is a very nice horse and running like feline animals in the paddock. I am sure he is a talented horse. The colt will be kept at my farm even after weaning and I will train him up.”
Hip377, colt by Kizuna(JPN), consigned by Shadai Farm, was bought by Bellagio Racing for 200,000,000yen, US$1,234,568. The colt is third foal out of Miramar(GB), winner of G3/Sigy “Though I looked for a nice foal by Do Deuce(JPN), it was more expensive than I thought and I changed the target”, Kouhei Morikawa, president of Bellagio Corporation, comments. “Hiroyuki Uemura, my trainer, recommends this colt strongly. He has a strong European pedigree behind him and has a big presence. Bellagio Opera finished fourth in Japanese Derby for us a few years ago, and I expect this colt to win Japanese Derby.”
Hip401, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN) was bought by M’s Racing for 410,000,000yen, US$2,530,865.
The colt consigned by Northern Racing is eighth foal out of Yankee Rose(AUS), Australian Champion Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old. Her second foal is Liberty Island(JPN), JRA Champion Two-Year-Old and Three-Year-Old.
Hip468, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN), was bought by ST Racing for 115,000,000yen, US$709,877.
The colt consigned by Northern Racing is second foal out of Belleza de Arteaga(ARG), Horse of the Year in Argentine. “He is a nice horse and he is out of Argentine Champion”, Shin Watanabe, representative of ST Racing, comments. “As the price was just what I expected, I am very happy. I hope he develops to be G1 winner in future, while I have an impression that this horse may take time to mature.”
247 foals went thorough the sales ring and 228 of them were sold for 15,824,000,000yen in total at foal session of 2026 JRHA Select Sale. The gross sale is 7.6% decline as compared with 2025. Average price, 69,403,509yen is 7.7% lower than 2025, while median price 50,000,000yen, is same as last year. Clearance rate is 92,3%, which was 95.0% in 2025.
Through two-days session of 2026 JRHA Select Sale, 509 lots went through the sales ring and 478 of them were bought for 33,484,000,000yen in total, which is 2.4% increase from 2025 and new record at JRHA Select Sale. Average price through two days, 70,050,209yen, is 3.0% decline from 2025, while median price. 51,000,000yen, is 8.5% increase from 2025. Clearance rate is 93.9% in 2026, which was 97.0% in 2025.
“It was very strong and healthy market”, Teruya Yoshida, Active Chairman of JRHA and owner of Shadai Farm, comments at the conclusion of sale.
“I am very impressed with the median price has improved significantly. I understand it means standard of horses offered this year was very high and I think it was very healthy market.”
“I have an impression that the quality of yearlings offered at yesterday’s session was the very best. As the result, yearling market yesterday was very strong.”
“And I am glad to see many new players were active at the market. The ownership of racehorses has become attractive hobby for young successful businessmen in Japan, and it looks those new players are not hesitate to spend more than 100 million yen to obtain a horse.”
“And I am very happy to see 11 horses were bought by international buyers through two days. JRHA Select Sale is now very attractive market for all involved in horse racing and horse breeding in the world.”

(13th Jul 26)

Report from Day 1 2026 JRHA Select Sale

While it was rainy days on Saturday 11th and Sundy 12th, when Northern Horse Park received a lot of visitors who were keen to inspect yearlings, Monday 13th was a dry day with sunlight shining occasionally.
First wire works of the day was seen when Hip#21, colt by Equinox(JPN) out of Green Bananas, consigned by Shadai Farm, went up on sales ring. The half brother to Audarya(GB), winner of G1/Prix Jean Romanet and G1/Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, was bought by Yujiro Inutsuka for 210,000,000yen, US$1,296,297. “I am a great supporter of Equinox(JPN) and was looking for yearling by Equinox with the highest quality”, Yujiro Inutsuka comments. “As I inspected yearlings by Equinox, I judge this is the best Equinox yearling consigned by Shadai Farm.” “Co-incidentally, the birthday of this colt is same as Equinox. I dream this colt to win Japanese Derby, which Equinox could not win”. The colt will be trained by Takahisa Tezuka,
Hip31, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN) out of Pretty Gorgeous(FR), winner of G1/Fillies Mile and European Champion Juvenile Filly in 2020, was bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co.Ltd, for 320,000,000yen, US1,975,309. The consignment by Northern Farm is first foal out of Pretty Gorgeous.
Hip35, colt by Epiphaneia(JPN) out of Search Results(USA), winer of G1/Acorn Stakes, was bought by M’s Racing for 350,000,000yen, US$2,160,494. The consignment by Northern Racing is first foal out of Search Results, who was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for US$3.6 million at Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2023.
Hip47, filly by Real Impact(JPN) out of In Luxury(JPN), was bought by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a prominent member of Ruling Family in Abu Dhabi for 80,000,000yen, US$493,828. While Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has owned a lot of Arabian horses, this is very first thoroughbred he bought. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who loves Japanese culture and is a fan of Japanese horse racing, was determined that the first thoroughbred he owns must be a Japanese-bred. Hanako Varian worked for Sheikh Khalifa Bin Sultan Al Nahyan at sales ground.
Hip51, colt by Efforia(JPN) out of Petite Folie(GB), was bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co Ltd for 330,000,000yen, US$2,037,038. The colt, consigned by Northern Racing, is half brother to Taisei Princesse(JPN), third finisher in G2/Flora Stakes in 2025.
Hip61, colt by Orfevre(JPN), was bought by West Hills for 170,000,000yen, US$1,049,383. The colt is third foal out of Heavenhasmynikki(USA), winner of G3/Vagrancy Stakes, who was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for $750,000 at Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2021. “My trainer recommends strongly this colt”, Kenju Yoshida, representative of West Hills, comments, “While his pedigree suggests he would act at dirt surface well, I have an impression that he can act well at turf track as well.”
Hip86, colt by Kitasan Black out of Skia(FR), was bought by Group TM by 330,000,000yen, US$2,037,038. The consignment by Shadai Farm is full brother to Sol Oriens(JPN), winner of G1/Satsuki Sho, and half brother to Vin de Garde(JPN), who won G2/Fuji Stakes and finished second in G1/Dubai Turf, and to Firostefani(JPN), winner of G3/Artemis Stakes. Skia was bought by Shadai Farm through an agent at Arqna December Sale for 320,000eur.
Hip110, colt by Equinox(JPN) out of Youngstar(AUS), was bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co Ltd for 420,000,000yen, US$2,592,593, the highest price at the session. The colt is third foal out of Youngstar(AUS), winner of G1/Queensland Oaks, and her first foal is Eri King(JPN), who won G2/Kobe Shimbun Hai and finished second in G1/Kikka Sho.
Hip128, colt by Saturnalia(JPN) out of Shailene(JPN), was bought by Masaaki Kumeta for 130,000,000yen, US$802,470. The consignment by Northern Racing is first foal out of Shailene(JPN),
who was bought at OBS Spring Sale in 2021 for US$1,000,000 by Katsumi Yoshida. “I won Japanese Derby in 2009 with Logi Universe, and I hope his colt will be my second Derby winner”, Masaaki Kumeta comments. “When I visited Northern Farm for inspection on the other day, I found this was a very nice individual. And when I saw him walking at Parade Ring this morning, I found again this was a very nice colt.”
Hip129, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN) was bought by Susumu Fujita for 300,000,000yen, US$1,851,852. The consignment by Shadai Farm is seventh foal out of Land Over Sea(USA), winner of G2/Fair Grounds Oaks, who was bought by Shadai Farm for US$1,3 million at Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2017.
Hip138, filly by Equinox(JPN) was bought by Seihou Tanaka for 110,000,000yen, US$679,013. The consignment by Northern Racing is sixth foal out of Treasuring(GB), winner of G3/Curragh Stakes, who was bought at Tattersalls December Sale in 2018 by Katsumi Yoshihda for 500,000gns. “She has wonderful European pedigree”, Seihou Tanaka comments. “And she is a very good mover, and has a strong presence. The price was just what I expected. I hope she will take part in fillies’ classic in 2028.”
Hip150, colt by Kitasan Black(JPN), was bought by Tomoya Ozasa for 210,000,000yen, US$1,296,297. The consignment from Northen Farm is first foal out of Romance Sea(ARG), winner of G1/Argentine Oaks. “I like Kitasan Black and looked for a nice yearling by Kitasan Black”, Tomoya Ozasa comments. “While I felt the market for crop by Kitasan Black was too much heated last year. I think it is slightly calm down this year. This is my pick of day and am determined to buy him. I expect him to be a runner in major international races, such as Kentucky Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe”.
Hip190, colt by Efforia(JPN) was bought by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co Ltd for 390,000,000yen, US$2,407,408. The colt is fourth foal out of Lady Fog Horn(USA), winner of G2/Falls City Handicap, who was bought by Shadai Farm at Keeneland January Sale for $300,000.
262 yearlings went thorough the sales ring and 250 of them were bought for 17,660,000,000yen in total at Yearling Session of 2026 JRHA Select Sale, which is 13.6% higher than twelve months ago. Average price, 70,640,000yen, is 2.2% up from 2025, and Median price, 52,000,000yen, is 18.2% up from 2025. Clearance rate is 95.4%, which was 99.1% in 2025.
“This is the market which is stronger than I expected”, Katsumi Yoshida, Director of JRHA and owner of Northern Farm, the biggest consignor at the sale, comments at conclusion of session.
“As so many buyers visited Northern Farm to inspect yearlings in last few weeks, I expect strong market. But this result is better than expected”.
“The market was supported by several stallions, such as Kitasan Black(JPN), Efforia(JPN), and Equinox(JPN). Kitasan Black is a proved stallion and first crop by Efforia, which is two-year-old this year, has made a rocket start. Therefore, I expected those stallions are popular. Equinox is unproven stallion and it is amazing to see his yearlings are so popular.”
“I am very glad to see eight yearlings were bought by international buyers today. Japanese-trained horses are running well at international stage in recent years and I understand those successes by Japanese-trained horses attracted international buyers.”
Foal session of 2026 JRHA Select Sale is conducted at Northern Horse Park on Tuesday 14th. Session starts at 9:30am.

(31st Mar 26)

SATONO REVE secures an emphatic back-to-back triumph in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen

Satono Reve proved his favoritism and grabbed his back-to-back win in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, the champion sprint race in the spring campaign at Chukyo on 29th. The 7-year-old horse by Lord Kanaloa became the second horse to defend the title in the race since Kinshasano Kiseki achieved the feat in 2010 & 2011.
After breaking well from the gate, he settled in mid-pack and conserved energy. As expected before the race, the opening three furlongs were run at an extremely fast pace of 32.5 seconds. However, still traveling strongly, he turned into the home straight and produced an impressive run down the middle of the track, crossing the finish line in 1:06.3—0.4 seconds faster than the race record set by Big Arthur in 2016.
Winning jockey Christophe Lemaire said, “Once again, Satono Reve proved to be a truly strong horse. In the straight, he took the bit on his own, changed leads, and then accelerated sharply. He broke well and was able to secure his preferred position. Given the fast pace, I was not concerned sitting in a middle position. The horse relaxed around the turn and was able to run in his own rhythm. He finished strongly after entering the stretch. He is a top-level sprinter who has already delivered results overseas and has considerable experience. Physically as well, he has the build of a true sprinter. I believe he can achieve results again at the GI level this year.”
Purchased at 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal session for 54,000,000yen, Satono Reve is bred by Shirai Bokujyo and trained by Noriyuki Hori. He ran 3rd in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in 2024 before taking his first G1 triumph in this race last year. He almost made history in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Ascot in last June, finishing 2nd, just a half-length behind Lazzat.

(16th Feb 26)

FOREVER YOUNG Achieves Historic Back-to-Back Victory

The USD$20M G1 Saudi Cup (1800 meters, dirt) was held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Saudi Arabia, was won by the JRHA Select Sale graduate in 2021, Forever Young, ridden by Ryusei Sakai. Positioned on the inside just behind the leaders during the race, he advanced along the rail in the home stretch, took the lead, and held off the American star Nysos to become the first horse in the race’s history to win consecutive titles. The winning time was 1:51.02. Hiroyuki Hori’s trainee Luxor Cafe finished fifth, while Sunrise Zipangu, who was also sold at JRHA Select Sale in 2022 and is trained by the first JRA’s female trainer Kyoko Maekawa, came home sixth.
Forever Young, by Real Steel out of Forever Darling (by Congrats), secured a memorable victory in last year’s Saudi Cup in a much-anticipated duel with Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior. He later won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic　at Del Mar and was subsequently named U.S. Champion Older Dirt Male and JRA’s Horse of the Year. This race marked his first start since the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Facing Nysos, the winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile n 2025, Forever Young delivered a commanding performance to claim victory and this victory provided strong momentum heading into the G1 Dubai World Cup.
In Race 7, G1 Neom Turf Cup, ridden by Oishin Murphy, the British-trained Royal Champion pulled clear in dominant fashion to claim victory. Japanese trio, Shin Emperor, who traveled from Japan in pursuit of back-to-back victories, stayed on strongly to finish fourth. Yamanin Bouclier, who set a bold early pace, finished fifth, while Alohi Alii, who raced from the rear, came home seventh. Purchased at 2022 JRHA Select Sale Foal session, the 4-year-old trained by Hiroyasu Tanaka, Alohi Alii was unable to settled in the gate and did not jump well, he stayed near the rear and never threatened in the stretch.

Forever Young

Sire: Real Steel
Dam: Forever Darling
Sire of Dam: Congrats
C5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(23rd Jan 26)

Another Historic Milestone: FOREVER YOUNG Wins Eclipse Award

The 55th Eclipse Awards ceremony, which honors the top performers in North American horse racing each year, was held on January 22nd (morning of the 23rd Japan time) in Palm Beach, southeastern Florida. Forever Young, a five-year-old horse from the stable Yoshito Yahagi who won last year's G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, received the award for Champion Older Dirt Male. He became only the second Japanese-trained horse to earn an Eclipse Award, following Loves Only You—also from Yahagi’s stable—who won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2021 and was named Champion Turf Female. In addition, the Breeders’ Cup Classic victory by Forever Young was selected as the “Moment of the Year,” an award determined by fan voting.
At the awards ceremony, trainer Yahagi took the stage and began his acceptance speech with a touch of humor, saying in English, “Good evening, everyone. I’m known as ‘the man with the hat,’” referring to his trademark headwear. He then continued, “It is a great honor to receive such an award. I have the utmost respect for everyone in the United States.” Yahagi delivered his message of gratitude in English, speaking in his own words.
Forever Young is by Real Steel and out of Congrats mare Forever Darling. He was bred by Northern Farm and purchased at the 2022 JRHA Select Sale Yearling session by Susumu Fujita.