(10th Dec 19)

ADMIRE MARS won Hong Kong Mile for his late owner

Tears, tears, and tears. The connections of Admire Mars could not stop it after the three-year-old colt by Daiwa Major won G1/Hong Kong Mile, the richest turf mile race in the world, which carries the total purse of $25 million, at Sha Tin on December 8th.
Admire Mars, bred by Northern Farm, was bought at the yearling session of JRHA Select Sale in 2017 for 52 million yen, HS$456,141, by Riichi Kondo, one of the biggest spenders at JRHA Select Sale for more than two decades.
Admire Mars, trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, was unbeaten through four starts in 2018, including G1/Asahi Hai Futurity, and was awarded as Japanese Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. While he experienced his first defeat in the spring of 2019, Admire Mars won G1/NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo Racecourse in May, after which Kondo and Tomomichi started to talk about G1/Hong Kong Mile, as the ultimate goal in 2019 for Admire Mars.
Though Riichi Kondo lost his battle against cancer on November 17th, Admire Mars went to run at Hong Kong, as the late owner visualized, and scored his third G1.
Admire Mars’ total earning has reached at US$4.35 million.

Admire Mars

Sire: Daiwa Major
Dam: Via Medici
Sire of Dam: Medicean
H3
Consigned: Northern Farm

(10th Dec 19)

Glory Vase captures the opening card of HKIR

Glory Vase(JPN), four-year-old colt by Deep Impact(JPN), who passed away in July, won G1/Hong Kong Verse, which carries the total purse of HK$20 million, by three and half lengths, on December 8th at Sha Tin Racecourse
Three out of first four finishers in Hong Kong Verse are Japanese-breds, as the runner-up was Lucky Lilac(JPN), four-year-old filly by Orfevre(JPN) and Deirdre(JPN), five-year-old mare by Harbinger, finished fourth.
Glory Vase, bred by Lake Villa Farm, was offered at the yearling session of JRHA Select Sale in 2016 and bought by Silk Horse Club for 52 million yen, US$520,000. Lightly-raced Glory Vase, trained by Tomohito Ozeki, collected his first Graded Stakes in January this year, when he won G2/Kyoto Daishoten at Kyoto Racecourse, and then, was narrowly beaten by Fierement(JPN) in G1/Tenno Sho Spring.
The total earning by Glory Vase has come up to approximately US$3.16 million.

Glory Vase

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Mejiro Tsubone
Sire of Dam: Swept Overboard
H4
Consigned: Lake Villa Farm

(25th Nov 19)

Oishin Murphy guided SUAVE RICHARD to the Japan Cup victory

The third favorite Suwave Richard grabbed his long-awaited second G1 successsince last year’s Osaka Hai in running of the 33rd Japan Cup (2400m, turf) at Tokyo on Sunday.
Over the rain affected track which JRA classified as yielding, Daiwa Cagney set the pace, while Suwave Richard traveled around seventh under Oishin Murphy who was riding under the JRA’s short term license. When the field was spreadout at the top of the stretch, Oishin made the decision to guide Suwave Richard through the narrow space between the rail and the 3-y-o filly Curren Bouquetd’or, and Suwave Richard made the late surge for his 3/4-length win.
Purchased at 2014 JRHA Select Sale for 155,000,000yen (1,519,608US$ at the rate) and with smart 2nd in the 2017 Japanese Derby and 3rd in last year’s Japan Cup, both on 2400m, and won the 2500m-G2 Copa Republica Argentina in 2017 at Tokyo, the 5-year-old son of Heart’s Cry has never finished below third over the stage of 2400m and more at Tokyo.
In this term, Suwave Richard ran 3rd in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June respectively. He has the same racing schedule as last year, coming off the Tenno Sho Autumn, when 7th in October. 6 wins from 1800m to 2500m in 18 outings.

Suave Richard

Sire: Heart's Cry
Dam: Pirramimma
Sire of Dam: Unbridled's Song
C5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(5th Nov 19)

FIERCE IMPACT takes out the G1 Cantala Stakes

The Deep Impact progeny has added another achievement in Australia. Fierce Impact, a 5-year-old horse succeeded to be undefeated in two G1 starts, the Cantala Stakes (1600m, turf) at Flemington on November 2nd.
Although the track has been classified as soft 7, the Craig Williams riding Fierce Impact showed the impressive turn of foot and held off the Lindsey Park hope Fifty Stars by short head.
Winning jockey Williams said: "He was a bit trickier ride today, but I just wanted to cuddle him for as long as I could. He was awesome today."
From 21 career starts, Fierce Impact has won 5 wins, and he scored the first G1 victory in the Toorak H on October 12 for his Sydney based trainer Matthew Smith. He was purchased at the 2014 JRHA Select Foal Sale.

Fierce Impact

Sire:Deep Impact
Dam: Keiai Gerbera
Sire of Dam: Smarty Jones
C5
Consigned:Queen's Ranch

(21st Oct 19)

JRHA Select Sale graduates has dominated the first three in the G1 Kikuka Sho

The third favorite World Premier claimed the 80th running of the G1 Kikuka Sho, the last leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, over 3000m turf at Kyoto on Sunday. Purchased by Ryoichi Otsuka at 2016 JRHA Select Foal Sale for 240,000,000yen (US$2,330,098 at the rate), the Deep Impact sired World Premier out of Mandela raced nicely along the rail, watching the race favorite Velox just from behind. Jockey Yutaka Take guided him to the opening at the moment he found it heading into the stretch, and World Premier showed another top gear and held off the late charges by Satono Lux from outside for a neck win. Velox finished another neck further third.
The runner-up Satono Lux is a 2017 JRHA Select Sale graduate who set the highest price (270,000,000yen, US$2,368,422) for yearling session, as well as the third finishing Velox who was purchased by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co., Ltd for 48,000,000yen (US$421,053). World Premier is trained by Yasuo Tomomichi.

World Premiere

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Mandela
Sire of Dam: Acatenango
H3
Consigned: Northern Farm

(15th Oct 19)

Japanese bred Fierce Impact claimed the G1 Toorak Handicap in Australia!

Fierce Impact by Deep Impact delivered his first G1 victory in the Toorak Handicap (1600m, turf) at Caufield on October 12.
Sent to the tenth pick, the Matthew Smith trainee traveled from midfield on the outside and produced his impressive late burst to score a 1.3/4-length win from the equal favorite Night's Watch.
Purchased at 2014 JRHA Select Sale Foal session for 66,000,000Yen, which was US$647,059 at the rate, the 5-year-old horse ran 8th in this race last year.
Winning jockey Craig Williams said: "He was awesome. He was very dominant today in his win."
This is the second Toorak H win for Deep Impact offsprings, since Tosen Stardom has won in 2017.

Fierce Impact

Sire:Deep Impact
Dam: Keiai Gerbera
Sire of Dam: Smarty Jones
C5
Consigned:Queen's Ranch

(5th Aug 19)

DEIRDRE achieved the historic success at Goodwood in the Nassau Stakes

Deirdre did it for Japan! The 5-year-old Harbinger sired Deirdre became the first Japanese bred/based mare to win the 1980meters-G1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on August 1st. Raced third last under Oishin Murphy, the Mitsuru Hashida trainee powered home with a remarkable charge on the rail and held off the frontrunner Mehdaayih for her glorious victory.
Purchased at 2015 JRHA Select Yearling Sale for 21,000,000Yen (US$169,355 at the rate) by Touji Morita, Deirdre claimed the 2017 G1 Shuka Sho, the final leg of the Japanese filly's triple crown. Having had consistent runs across the world including 3rd in the G1 Dubai Turf and 2nd in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last year, Deirdre traveled to the desert again this term with 4th effort in the G1 Dubai Turf. She flew into Hong Kong and placed 6th in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin in April before 6th in the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Deirdre's victory must boost the interest of the British racing in Japan, and her challenge is still going on in Europe.

Deirdre

Sire: Harbinger
Dam: Reizend
Sire of Dam: Special Week
F5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(9th Jul 19)

Another record breaking market at foal session of 2019 JRHA Select Sale

It was widely recognized that Hip#358, colt by Deep Impact out of Titan Queen, would be the sale topper at the foal session of JRHA Select Sale on July 9th at Northern Horse Park. The questions were who would manage to buy him and how much the hummer price would be.
The consignment from Northern Racing was bought by Riichi Kondo, who bought the sales topper of yearling session on Monday as well, and the price was 470,000,000yen, US$4,272,728, which is the fourth highest price at the foal session of JRHA Select Sale.
“My trainer, Yasuo Tomomichi, is very keen for me to buy him, which was quite unusual”, Riichi Kondo said of the sales topper. “I paid 580,000,000yen for Deep Impact colt here two year ago, which was more expensive than today’s one, though, I think today’s colt is better one at this point at Select Sale.” Yasuo Tomonichi added, “He has everything. Beautiful conformation and very good mover. And I like his head particularly, which gives me special feeling”.
Hip#400, colt by Deep Impact out of Venenciador, was bought by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Co Ltd, for 290,000,000yen, US$2,636,364. The consignment from Northern Farm is own brother to Denim and Ruby(JPN), who finished second to Gentildonna(JPN) in G1/Japan Cup in 2013.
Earlier the day, Hip#382, colt by Lord Kanaloa out of Admire Temba, was bought by Yoshihisa Ozasa, Chairman of Link and Motivation Inc, consulting company for business organizations which seek transformation, for 270,000,000yen, US$2,454,546.
“My bloodstock adviser recommends this colt strongly”, Ozasa said of his purchase. “Though I have bought some expensive foals by King Kamehameha in the last couple of years, I am here this year to find nice colt by Lord Kanaloa, which has more speed than his sire, King Kamehameha. The price was much more than I expected”.
On Tuesday, 194 foals were sold for 9,784,000,000yen, US$88,945,455, in total, which is 18.5% more than 2018. The average price, 50,432,990yen, US$458,482, which is 25.2% higher than the last year, And the clearance rate improved from 88.7% in 2018 to 89.8% in 2019. All of those figures are new records at the foal session of JRHA Select Sale.
And through two-days sale, 416 lots were sold from 455 lots were offered, and the gross sale was 20,516,000,000yen, US$186,509,091, which is 14.5% more than 2018, and it is the first time the gross sale surpassed the bar of 20 billion yen. The average price, 49,317,308yen, US$448,339, which is 14.2% higher than the last year. And the clearance rate through two days improved from 89.4% in 2018 to 91.4% in 2019. One again, all those figures are new record at JRHA Select Sale, which inaugurated in 1998.
“Market was very strong and it was really good sale, especially for Northern Farm which is run by my brother.”, Teruya Yoshida, active chairman of JRHA commented with a laugh at the conclusion of the sale. “We have received many first time visitors from foreign countries this year and I am very glad to hear that they are saying the quality of Japanese-bred horses is very high. I am also very impressed to see unproven new stallions are very popular. And I am delighted to see many new buyers, who enjoy all activities at the sales ground and it is really good for horse racing and breeding industry. I do hope the horses bought here yesterday and today will run well at racecourses.”

(8th Jul 19)

Trade was active at yearling session of 2019 JRHA Select Sale

Market at the yearling session of JRHA Select Sale at Northern Horse Park on July 8th was strong and new record of gross sale and average price were established.
While there was a lot of fireworks through the day, the biggest one was seen when Hip#51, colt by Deep Impact, went through the ring. The own brother to Mikki Queen(JPN), champion three-year-old filly in 2015, when she won G1/Yushun Himba and G1/Shuka Sho, second and third leg of Triple Tiara for three-year-old fillies, was bought by Riichi Kondo for 360,000,000yen, US$3,272,728, the highest price ever paid for yearling colt at JRHA Select Sale.
“This is definitely the pick of day” Riichi Kondo talked about the sale topper after the purchase. “My trainer, Yasuo Tomomichi, said I would really like to have this colt in my stable and it is my duty to buy him. The price is within my estimation”.
Hip#64, colt by King Kamehameha(JPN) out of Ginger Punch, champion older female in the United States, was bought by Toshihiko Tabata of Thoroughbred Club Lion Co Ltd for 290,000,000yen, US$2,636,364, the second highest price at the session.
“He looks like his father”. Yoshito Yahagi, trainer who picks up the colt for his client, said of the half brother to Rouge Buck(JPN), multiple Graded Stakes winner in Japan. “I believe he stays mile and half, and Japanese Derby is in my mind as the race to aim”.
Earlier the day, Hip#27, colt by Heart’s Cry(JPN) out of Sinhadipa(JPN), was bought for 270,000,000yen, US$2,454,546, by Masahiko Sugino, president of Round One Corporation, which operates indoor leisure complex, such bowling alleys, karaoke studio, arcade games, and the collection of sports activities. Masahiko Sugino made big investment on bloodstock for the first time at Chiba Thoroughbred Sale in May at Funabashi, where he bought three ready-to-run two-year-olds for 165,000,000yen in total, including a colt by Deep Impact, who was the sales topper with hummer price of 69,000,000yen.
222 yearlings were sold for 10,732,000,000yen in total, which is 11.1% more than twelve month ago, and average price, 48,342,342yen, is 5,1% higher than 2018. The clearance rate, 92.9%, is also the highest record at the yearling session of JRHA Select Sale.
“Just amazing”, Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, the leading consignor at the session, commented at the conclusion of the day. “Market was strong at every price range and the clearance rate is amazing. I am very pleased to see the crops by new stallions, such as Duramente(JPN), were sold well and the crops by stallions with rather cheaper stud fee were also sold well”.
The foal session of 2019 JRHA Select Sale starts at 10:00am on Tuesday July 9th.

(27th May 19)

ROGER BAROWS became the first Japanese Derby winning horse in the new imperialera of "Reiwa"

The first Japanese Derby in the new imperial era of “Reiwa” has been held at Tokyo racecourse on May 26th, and the twelfth favorite Roger Barows captured his first graded stakes success in the race and also gave his owner Hirotsugu Inokuma the first crown of the race.
Lion Lion dashed out from the outside draw to take the lead, while Roger Barows started from the most inside gate and settled five or six-length behind the lead at second under Suguru Hamanaka. Taking command at 400meters out, the Deep Impact-sired colt held off the late closing Danon Kingly by a neck and renewed the record time to 2:22:6, 0.6 seconds quicker than set by Duramente in 2015.
Winning jockey Hamanaka said: “I am very surprised with the result. A fast pace was very suitable for him, so the way the race ran was very ideal for us.
He held on strongly even after the uphill climb and ran gamely all the way to the finish line.”
Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii has sent two horses to the field, one is Roger Barows and the other one is the odds-on favorite Saturnalia (by Lord Kanaloa). Saturnalia ridden by Damian Lane missed the break and showed his burst of speed in the stretch but finished fourth.
Foaled in the Hidaka region, one of the most prolific breeding areas in Japan, Roger Barows is the first horse to run and win the Japanese Derby for his breeder Tobino Bokujo(=farm).
Winning trainer Katsuhiko Sumii said: “This is my second win in the Japanese Derby, and it was very pleasant victory. When I inspected him at the JRHA Select Sale, my first impression was he was a very good horse. In the second last out, the Spring Stakes, he could not handle the long travel from Osaka to Nakayama and did not run his race, so this time my concern about him was the long trip to Tokyo, but he was settled in. He will take a summer break and get ready for his autumn campaign. To be honest, I am ambivalent about the other one Saturnalia finishing fourth, but to win the Satsuki Sho and the Japanese Derby with two different horses has been very honored for me.

Roger Barows

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Little Book
Sire of Dam: Librettist
H3
Consigned: Tobino Stud

(21st May 19)

Another new heroine from JRHA Select Sale

Just a week ago, JRHA Select Sale graduate Normcore claimed the champion mile race for fillies/mares. But another super heroine came into her own on Sunday.
Unbeaten Loves Only You has proven her favoritism and won the 80 running of the Japanese Oaks at Tokyo on Sunday. The Deep Impact filly from Yoshito Yahagi stable set the new race record of 2:22.8, 0.8 seconds faster than the previous record 2:23.6 set by Gentildonna in 2012 and gave her owner DMM Dream Club Co., Ltd, the racing syndication, the first graded race win and first G1 victory. Breeder Northern Farm has extended its G1 winning streak to seven from Osaka Hai in March. Owner of Northern Farm Katsumi Yoshida said: “It was an amazing victory with a record time. She displayed brilliant closing speed. The seventh consecutive G1 win was an outstanding effect for us and I am looking forward to the Japanese Derby too.”
Coming from 2017 JRHA Yearling Sale for 160,000,000yen, the half-sister to the 2016 G1 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel made her debut over 1800m at Kyoto last November and took the lower-class stakes race (1600m) and rounded off the term on Nov 25. She produced her strong late run and widened the margin to three lengths in her seasonal debut in the listed stakes race (2000m) at Hanshin on Apr 7 last out.

Loves Only You

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Loves Only Me
Sire of Dam: Storm Cat
M3
Consigned: Northern Farm

(15th May 19)

NORMCORE captured her first G1 triumph in record time

The fifth pick Normcore claimed running the 14th G1 Victoria Mile (1600m, turf) and renewed Japan’s 1600m record time 1:30.5 at Tokyo on Sunday. The race was set fast by the second pick Aerolithe, while the winner traveled from midfield position under the Australian jockey Damian Lane who is on a two-month stint in Japan, and the grey colt produced his burst of speed when he was guided to the outside of the favorite Lucky Lilac, passing one by one and gained the command with 100meters remaining before held off the strong challenger from Primo Scene to score by a neck.
Winning jockey Lane said: “The horse was great. The fast pace worked well for us. There would be no worries if we would find the space in the stretch. I had lots of confidence going into the race. My only concern was to recover everything smoothly even when something was happened. It was my first to win the G1 race overseas, so it was very great to win the race.”
Purchased at 2016 JRHA Select Yearling Sale by TV producer Seiichi Iketani for 22,000,000yen (US$220,000 at the rate), the Harbinger-sired 4-year-old made her debut win at 2 in July 2017, and she ran 3rd at G2 and G3 levels in 3-year-old spring campaign and took the G3 Shion Stakes (2000m) in September. She ran 5th to Lys Gracieux in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup last November and started off the season with 2nd in the 2000m G3 Aichi Hai in January. She came off a 7th place in the G3 Nakayama Himba Stakes (1800m) at Nakayama in March latest.

Normcore

Sire: Harbinger
Dam: Chronologist
Sire of Dam: Kurofune
M4
Consigned: Northern Farm

(6th May 19)

ADMIRE MARS succeeded in taking his second G1 title

The first G1 race in the new Imperial era “Reiwa” was held at Tokyo on May 5th, and the second choice Admire Mars drove powerfully to claim the NHK Mile Cup and scored his second G1 title. While the pace clocked the first 800m in 45.8 seconds, Admire Mars who drew from 17th position out of 18 runners took a midfield spot under his regular jockey Mirco Demuro.
Demuro said: “The 17 gate was not a decent gate for us, but he never missed the break before. Even if he starts slowly, he can have an instant reaction to take a good position. My only concern was to keep him in a rhythm and make him comfortable all the way around.”
The race favorite and this year’s G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) winner Gran Alegria drifted out and bumped Danon Chaser with 400m remaining to clear the path and stretched out her strides to finish fourth. But the interference against Danon Chaser has been made the decision by stewards to demote her to finish fifth. Danon Chaser was promoted from fifth to fourth. Admire Mars showed the outstanding acceleration in the final 200m and shook off the runner-up Lord Kanaloa-sired Cadence Call by a half-length.
“As the other horse was coming up next to him, that seemed to fire him back up and he found his second wind then. I am so impressed how he was running gamely.” Demuro said.
The 2017 JRHA Select Yearling Sale graduate made his debut last June at Chukyo from Yasuo Tomomichi stable and succeeded to be undefeated in the four starts and claimed the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (1600m) for the 2-year-old champion race last December. Started off the 2019 season with 2nd-place in the G3 Kyodo News Service Hai (1800m) in February, he finished fourth in the G1 Satsuki Sho, the first leg of the Japanese classic last out.

Admire Mars

Sire: Daiwa Major
Dam: Via Medici
Sire of Dam: Medicean
H3
Consigned: Northern Farm

(8th Jan 19)

Japan Racing Association Awards 2018 have been announced

On January 8th, Japan Racing Association Awards have been announced, and the triple crown winning filly Almond Eye was named the JRA Horse of the Year 2018. It was so grateful news for Japan Racing Horse Association as well, as two of the graduates from JRHA Select Sale were awarded. Admire Mars was named the Best Two-Year-Old Colt with 153 from 276 votes. He was unbeaten in four outings and captured the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes in December. The Riichi Kondo’s Admire Mars was purchased at 2017 JRHA Select Yearling Sale for 52,000,000yen.
The Best Two-Year-Old Filly award went to Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained Danon Fantasy, who had third straight win with a remarkable closing speed in the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies last month. The Deep Impact-sired filly drew 275 out of 276 votes. Danon Fantasy was bought by Danox Co., Ltd at 2017 JRHA Select Yearling Sale for 90,000,000yen.