(30th Dec 22)

USHBA TESORO won the G1 Tokyo Daishoten

The 2022 racing season in Japan has rounded off with the victory of Ushba Tesoro in the G1 Tokyo Daishoten, the world’s penultimate G1 race, on the NAR circuit at Oi racecourse on 29th. Trained by Noboru Takagi, who is based at JRA-Miho Training Centre, the 5-year-old son of Orfevre was sitting in midfield position under Kazuo Yokoyama and still standing by even when the pace was picked up before the third turn. As Yokoyama shifted him to the widest route heading into the stretch, Ushba Tesoro started to make his ground with 200meters to go and burst his late speed in the stretch to widen the margin to 1.3/4 lengths.
Ushba Tesoro, who was offered at the 2017 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session and purchased by Kenji Ryotokuji for 25,000,000yen, had first 22 career starts on turf and switched to dirt in April. He has finished in top three-4 wins and 1 third-in all 5 starts over the surface and grabbed his first G1 title in the first contest in the class. The total turnover for the Tokyo Daishoten alone marked 6,274,711,900yen (approximately US$47,178,285).

Ushba Tesoro

Sire: Orfevre
Dam: Millefeui Attach
Sire of Dam: King Kamehameha
C5
Consigned: Chiyoda Farm

(29th Dec 22)

The 14th shot DURA EREDE landed this year’s G1 Hopeful Stakes

The year-end G1 contest for 2-year-olds, Hopeful Stakes (2000m, turf) was taken place at Nakayama racecourse on 28th, and the big upset Dura Erede finished nose out Top Knife, giving the trainer Manabu Ikezoe and a German-visiting jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev the first JRA G1 triumph. The race was led by Top Knife (Declaration of War), ridden by Norihiro Yokoyama, while Dura Erede was chasing the lead from second all the way into the home stretch. With 100meters to go, Dura Erede looked beaten by a likely length behind, however he fought back and closed with every stride to notch the “photo-finish” win.
Dura Erede, a 2-year-old colt by Duramente, is bred by Northern Farm and bought at the 2021 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session for 100,000,000yen. Owned by Three H Racing Co., and trained by Manabu Ikezoe, Dura Erede made his debut in the 1800m-maiden race at Hanshin in June and shifted to the dirt in three starts when he won the novice race (1700m) at Sapporo in August before switching back to turf when finished 0.2 seconds 4th in the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes (1800m) in November last time. The G1 Hopeful Stakes is one of the highly regarded 2-year-old championship races for future glory.

Dura Erede

Sire: Duramente
Dam: Marchesa
Sire of Dam: Orfevre
H2
Consigned: Northern Farm

(19th Dec 22)

DERMA SOTOGAKE now leads in “The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby”

The Group 1 Zennihon Nisai Yushun took place over 1600m dirt at NAR-Kawasaki racecourse on December 14th, and the third favorite Derma Sotogake has succeeded to be undefeated in three starts and earned 20 points in the second leg of The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.
Bought at 2021 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session for 18,000,000yen, the Hidetaka Otonashi trained 2-year-old colt by Mind Your Biscuits stayed in midfield under Fuma Matsuwaka and started to make ground in the back stretch, moving up to 4th position turning for home. The race favorite Perrier (by Henny Hughes) edged ahead when heading to the stretch, but Omatsuri Otoko (by Vittorio d’Oro) burst his speed to the lead with 200meters to go. However Derma Sotogake overtook the two front runners outside and won by a head.
Made his first two starts on turf over 1800m, Derma Sotogake switched to dirt and ran a good 3rd in the novice race (1700m) in September before the three winning streak. Derma Sotogake will target to go to the Middle East next year before considering the Kentucky Derby.

Derma Sotogake

Sire: Mind Your Biscuits
Dam: Amour Poesie
Sire of Dam: Neo Universe
H2
Consigned: Shadai Farm

(5th Dec 22)

First Group 1 success for the pair of JUN LIGHT BOLT and jockey Ishikawa

Jun Light Bolt claimed his first G1 triumph and has been shown his remarkable successful switch to dirt racing in Sunday’s G1 Champions Cup (1800m, dirt) at Chukyo. As well as the 5-year-old horse by King Kamehameha, jockey Yukito Ishikawa also marked his first G1 success. Very quick out of the gate, Jun Light Bolt was settled around ninth position from the lead. Trapped when entering the straight at Chukyo, he switched into the top gear very quickly as soon as he found the space outside of the favorite T O Keynes and showed brilliant turn of speed, overtaking Crown Pride just before the line.
Purchased at 2018 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session for 120,000,000yen for Junji Kawai, Jun Light Bolt took 4 wins at 1600m and 1800m in 21 starts on turf and switched to dirt racing in July when 2nd in the listed (1700m). He showed the suitability over the surface when he won the listed race by 1.3/4 L in August and justified that he should be one of the premier dirt runners in Japan when he won the 1900m-G3 Sirius Stakes at Chukyo in October last out. It is the first group race victory in dirt races for trainer Yasuo Tomomichi in his 17 G1 wins.

Jun Light Bolt

Sire: King Kamehameha
Dam: Special Groove
Sire of Dam: Special Week
C5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(4th Nov 22)

VALLE DE LA LUNA marked her fourth straight win in the JBC Ladies’ Classic

Jpn1 JBC Ladies’Classic was taken place over 1800m dirt at NAR-Morioka racecourse on November 3rd, and the star JRA 3-year-old filly Valle de la Luna has succeeded to be undefeated in four starts and scored her first win at group race.
Sent to the 3rd favorite, the 22-year-old jockey Mirai Iwata riding Valle de la Luna jumped quickly from the gate and reserved the 2nd position. The daughter of Duramente edged ahead with 200meters to go and held off the late charge by Grand Bridge (by Sinister Minister) for a neck win.
Bought at 2019 JRHA Select Sale Foal session for 100,000,000yen ($682,033), Valle de la Luna never missed on board in her 10 career starts. Finished 4th in the maiden (1600m, turf) in October 2021, the Hideaki Fujiwara trainee switched to the dirt and took four seconds before her 4th win in a row.
“I felt relief to win the race. As the pace was picked up suddenly during the race, it was a tough competition, but I just trusted her and kept urging her to the line” said Iwata.

Valle de la Luna

Sire: Duramente
Dam: Seresta
Sire of Dam: Jump Start
M3
Consigned: Northern Farm

(24th Oct 22)

Congratulations to ASK VICTOR MORE for winning the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger)

The late Deep Impact has sent classic winners in 12 years in a row when Ask Victor More landed the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger), the final leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, at Hanshin on Sunday. Sent to the second favorite Ask Victor More was settled at 2nd position, three to four lengths behind Seiun Hades, who set the fast pace and covered the first 1000m in 58.7 seconds, maintained his good rhythm. With 600meters to go, Ask Victor More gained ground, pinned the leader and extended the margin to four lengths entering the stretch. After passing 200meters pole, Boldog Hos (Screen Hero) and Justin Palace (Deep Impact) was charging fiercely, but Ask Victor More denied their threats and got his nose down the finish line for his memorable success in running the 83rd Kikuka Sho over 3000m.
Bred by Shadai Farm, Ask Victor More was purchased at 2020 JRHA Select Sale Yearling Session for 170,000,000yen(US$1,588,786 at that time) by Hirosaki Toshihiro. Trained by Yasuhito Tamura, Ask Victor More never missed on the board in 9 career starts. Took his first win at group race in the G2 Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Kinen (2000m) in March before finishing 5th and 3rd in the G1 Satsuki Sho and the G1 Japanese Derby respectively, he was 2nd in the G2 St. Lite Kinen in his fall debut in September last time.

Ask Victor More

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Kartica
Sire of Dam: Rainbow Quest
H3
Consigned: Shadai Farm

(14th Jul 22)

NOTTURNO claimed this year’s Japan Dirt Derby

The fourth favorite Notturno succeeded in making revenge from the latest runner-up in the G2 Hyogo Championship (1870m, dirt) at NAR-Sonoda in May and won the 24 running of the G1 Japan Dirt Derby at NAR-Oi racecourse on 13th. Breaking from the widest draw of 14, the 3-year-old colt by Heart’s Cry out of Unbridled’s Song mare Sheikh’s Serenade was settled at better than midfield under the regular jockey Yutaka Take over the rain-soaked dirt track at 2000m. He started to make a move passing the 600meters mark and edged ahead with 100meters to go for a three-quarter length victory. 53-year-old legendary jockey Take triumphed this year’s Japanese Derby with Do Deuce (Heart’s Cry) and took his third double Derby win in the same year after Tanino Gimlet & Gold Allure in 2002 and Deep Impact & Kane Hekili in 2005.
Notturno was graduated from 2020 JRHA Select Yearling Sale and made debut on turf last December when 4th. The Hidetaka Otonashi trained Notturno showed potentially when switching to dirt this term and finished inside top two in all five runs. Bred by Shimokobe Farm, the bay colt was bought by Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co., Ltd for 43,000,000yen,

Notturno

Sire: Heart's Cry
Dam: Sheikh's Serenade
Sire of Dam: Unbridled's Song
H3
Consigned: Shimokobe Farm

(12th Jul 22)

Day2, foal session of JRHA Select Sale 2022

Since Deep Impact and King Kamehameha passed away in 2019, stallions’ map in Japan is in period of reshuffling and it has been an issue at horse breeding industry, who is next leading sire. Market on Tuesday, foal session of JRHA Select Sale, suggests Bricks and Mortar(USA), whose first crop is now yearlings, is one of candidates for future leader.
Hip#325, colt by US Horse of the Year in 2019, was bought by Tetsuhide Kunimoto for 310,000,000yen, US$2,296,297, the second highest price at the session.
“I visited Northern Farm for several times in a last few months and find this colt, out of Awake, kept improving. That is what I like about him”, Tetsuhide Kuminito talked about his latest recruitment, consigned by Northern Racing. “To be frankly, I do not know who is next leading sire, though, I think Bricks and Mortar is very suitable stallion for racing in Japan, as he is a turf champion himself and most of his yearlings look like sharp and speedy turf horse. This colt lets me have a dream”.
Awake(JPN), dam of Hip#325, is half sister to Goshawk Ken(USA), JRA Champion Juvenile in 2007 by Bernstein(USA).

Duramente(JPN) was at one time regarded as a prime candidate for next leading sire. The winner of G1/Japanese Derby in 2015, passed away in August 2021, due to acute colitis, unfortunately and current foals are his last crop.
Hip#393, colt by Duramente, was bought by Red Horse for 320,000,000yen, US$2,370, 371, the highest price at the session. Dam of the sales topper is Champaign Anyone(USA), winner of G2/Gulfstream Park Oaks.

Another popular stallion at Tuesday market was Epiphaneia(JPN), who has sent three champions from his first three crops. 16 yearlings by Epiphaneia were offered on Tuesday and 15 of them were sold for 1,666,500,000yen in total. The average price was 111,100,000yen, US$822,963
One of those popular yearlings by Epiphaneia was hip#353, filly out of She’s a Tiger(USA), US Champion Juvenile Filly in 2013, who was bought by Nicks Co.Ltd for 280,000,000yen, US$2,074,075.
“I studied her pedigree and am convinced she should have inherited a lot of speed”, Hiroyasu Takeuchi, racing manager to Nick Co.Ltd, comments. “She is very valuable as future broodmare as well and I believe she is worth paying this amount of money. I thought we might have to pay 300 million yen to buy her and am happy with the price.”
236 foals are offered at Tuesday session of 2022 JRHA Select Sale and 225 of them were sold for 12,892,500,000yen in total, which is 18.0% increase as compared with 2021. The average price is 57,300,000yen, US$424,444, which is 11.7% up, and clearance rate increased from 92.6% in 2021 to 95.3% in 2022. All of gross sale, average price, and clearance are new record at foal session of JRHA Select Sale.
During two-days session of 2022 JRHA Select Sale, 447 lots from 469 lots offered were sold for 25,762,500,000yen in total, which is 14.2% increase from 2021. The average price is 57,634,228yen, US$426,920, which is 12.2% up from 2021, and clearance rate improved 93.0% in 2021 to 95.3% in 2022.
“It was record breaking market here last year and I did not expect to beat it this year”, Teruya Yoshida, active chairman of Japan Racing Horse Association, comments at the conclusion of sale.
“Market was very strong from the top end through bottom end, and I am very impressed with the dept of buyers. High demand for young horses was kept though two days and clearance rate, 95.3%, is unbelievable.”
“I am very happy to see so many people are interested in enjoying ownership of racehorses and very glad to witness they are very keen to make big investment on bloodstock market,”
“Quality of mares we have in Japan is very high and quality of young horses offered here yesterday and today was very high as well. And Japanese-bred horses are running very well in international races at USA and Mid East, and I understand it helps to boost this market.”
“I believe Japanese runners will keep running well at international stage and hope the market next year is as strong as this year.”

(11th Jul 22)

Day1, yearling session of JRHA Select Sale 2022

First fire works were ready a couple of minutes after the opening ceremony of 2022 JRHA Select Sale concluded, when the first lot of day appears on sales ring.
The colt by Real Steel(JPN), who is half brother to Sciacchetra(JPN), winner of three Graded Stakes at JRA. was bought for 180,000000yen, US$1,333,334 by DMM.com, which runs DMM Dream Club, horse racing partnership based at Tokyo.
“We look for a nice colt by Real Steal, and I am very happy to buy him”, Hiroki Awazu, racing manager for DMM Dream Club comments. “As there is no Deep Impact(JPN) and very a few Heart’s Cry(JPN) in the catalogue, it is not very easy to predict this year’s market and I intend to put a lot of energy at early part of sale. And our trainer Yoshito Yahagi recommends him as the best colt by Real Steel in the catalogue”.
Yoshito Yahagi planned to return from Newmarket, where he had a runner in G1/July Cup on Saturday 9th, by Monday morning before the start of JRHA Sale at Tomakomai in Hokkaido Island,
however, his journey was disrupted by messy operations at Heathrow Airport and failed to arrive at JRHA when Lot#1 was offered.

The biggest wire works were displayed when Hip#76, colt by Maurice(JPN), walked into sales ring with his dam Mosheen(AUS), winner of G1/Crown Oaks and three other G1s in Australia. While his reserved price was 100,000,000yen, US$740,740, opening bid thrown into the market was 200,000,000yen. US$1.48 million. After the price passed over 300,000,000ye, battle becomes the match race between Susumu Fujita, who sit in front of auction stand, and Masahiro Noda, bidding from backyard. And the winning bid of 450,000,000yen, US$3,333,334, was sent from Masahiro Noda of Danox Co. Ltd.
“This is very best one in consignments from Northern Farm and Northern Racing today” Katsumi Yoshida, breeder and consignor of sales topper, comments. “Foal out of Mosheen has been getting better and better…., crop by crop…….., and this yearling, who is eighth foal out of Mosheen, is a fantastic individual, therefore, I set the highest reserved price in all our consignments. Many owners and trainers who visited and saw him at Northern Farm are enchanted by him and I expected he would be expensive. But the price, 450 million yen, is much more than I expected.”

As travel restrictions are relaxed, international buyers return at JRHA Sale and three lots are bought by none-Japanese buyers at yearling session on Monday. One of them is Hip#146, colt by Lord Kanaloa(JPN), who was bought for 100,000,000yen, US$740,741. “This is for my international client”, Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International, who signed the ticket, comments. “My client, who likes to study pedigree, regards Lord Kanaloa very highly and we look for a colt or filly by Lord Kanaloa with high quality. He is very nice yearling and good mover”. The consignment from Shadai Farm is out of Pedicularis(JPN) by Sunday Silence(USA), who is winner of four races at JRA.

222 lots from 233 clots offered found their new owners at yearling session of 2022 JRHA Select Sale, Gross sale is 12,870,000,000yen, US$95,333,333, which is 10.6% increase as compared with 2021, and new record at yearling session of JRHA. The average price is 57,972,973yen, US$429,429, which is 12.6% up and the clearance rate is increased from 93.4% in 2021 to 95.3% in 2022. Both of average price and clearance rate are new record at yearling session of JRHA
“This is amazing market. As it was record breaking market last year and I thought it was difficult to pass over it this year, this is pleasant surprise”. Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm, the biggest consignor at the sale, comments at the conclusion of session.
“I am very impressed with the depth of buyers, which include a lot of new comers. And the most important aspect of today’s market is very high clearance rate”.
“While this year’s catalogue does not include any yearling by Deep Impact, several stallions, such as Duramente(JPN), Epiphaneia(JPN), and some others, played the role of replacements. I am very happy to have depth of young stallions in Japan now”.
“I would like to thank everybody who support the market, first of all, buyers, all consignors who offered yearlings with such high quality, and all involved in managing the sale.”
Foal session of 2022 JRHA Select Sale starts at 9:30am at Northern Horse Park on Tuesday 12th.

(27th Jun 22)

TITLEHOLDER claims the Grand Prix Takarazuka Kinen for his third G1 win

With getting 191,394 votes from fans, biggest number ever, Titleholder takes out this year’s Grand Prix Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2200m, Turf) at Hanshin on Sunday. Sent to the second favorite, the Toru Kurita trained Titleholder broke sharply from barrier six, forcing Panthalassa (Lord Kanaloa) to work for the lead, and eventually took second position under Kazuo Yokoyama. Never tired through the 2200m test, Titleholder closed in on the lead for the last corner, and when catching up the frontrunner in the top of the stretch, he shifted into another top gear and pulled away to finish the line by two lengths-shaving down the previous track record from 2:10.1 down to 2:09.7.
According to Miho Training Centre based trainer Kurita, he has been told by the owner that Titleholder would target the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe if he won the race.
By the Japanese dual classic winner Duramente, out of Motivator mare Mowen, Titleholder failed to win the first two legs of the Japanese classic races, but showed dramatic change with a wire-to-wire victory by 5 lengths in the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m), the final round of the classic. He started off this term with a run-away win in the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) before taking the latest G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in a fantastic fashion by 7 lengths. 6 wins overall between 1800m and 3200m from 12 starts. Bought at JRHA Select Sale Foal Session of 2018 for 20,000,000Yen by Hiroshi Yamada, Titleholder earns 793,111,000yen at the moment. Noriyuki Hori trained Hishi Iguazu (Heart’s Cry) was 2nd and Japanese Filly’s Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Epiphaneia) stormed down to finish another 2-length further in third.

Titleholder

Sire: Duramente
Dam: Mowen
Sire of Dam: Motivator
H4
Consigned: Okada Stud

(2nd May 22)

TITLEHOLDER bursts to win the Tenno Sho Spring

Titleholder dominated the Japanese traditional marathon race, the G1 Tenno Sho Spring over 3200m turf at Hanshin on Sunday. The 4-year-old Titleholder stepped quickly from the gate 16 of the field of 18 and took the command to set the pace. He maintained the safety margin throughout the trip and shifted into another top gear for more brilliant turn of speed in the stretch to widen the margin to 7 lengths.
“He felt really good in the warm-up canter before the race, and when I urged him to take the lead, I had no worries to control him. I just believed in him and focused on keeping his good rhythm. Titleholder knew how he would run in the race so I could release the reins at one point during the race. It is very pleasure to win the race with three generations of my family--my grandfather (Tomio Yokoyama), father (Norihiro Yokoyama) and me. I think Titleholder will improve a lot more going forward,” said a 29-year-old winning jockey Kazuo Yokoyama who scored the first G1 triumph at JRA.
Trained by Miho Training Centre based Toru Kurita, the son of Duramente was bought at 2018 JRHA Select Sale Foal Session for 20,000,000yen and won the maiden race (1800m) in October 2020. He took the first graded race success with wire-to-wire victory at the G2 Yayoi Sho Deep Impact Memorial (2000m) last March, but beaten by Efforia in second at the subsequent G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas). Titleholder bounced back from disappointing two runs and showed overwhelming victory in the final leg of the triple crown, G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) over 3000m in October before rounded off the term with 5th-place in the 2500m-G1 Arima Kinen. He made all the way to win the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) at Nakayama on his return from 3-month break last out.

Titleholder

Sire: Duramente
Dam: Mowen
Sire of Dam: Motivator
H4
Consigned: Okada Stud

(4th Apr 22)

Another superb purchase at JRHA Select Sale won the Osaka Hai!

The 5-year-old Potager claimed the G1 Osaka Hai, the seasonal opening card for the middle distance at Group 1, at Hanshin on Sunday. Changed the tactics from last out in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) when he raced from deep, the Yasuo Tomomichi trained horse was settled at 5th position under Hayato Yoshida, while the pace was set by the second favorite Jack d’Or (by Maurice) as expected who clocked the first 1000m in 58.8 seconds. In the home stretch, the defending champion Lei Papale (by Deep Impact) edged ahead with 200meters to go, and Potager closed with every stride and got his neck down to the finish.
Purchased by Makoto Kaneko for 190million Yen at the 2018 JRHA Select Yearling Sale, the Northern Farm bred colt and the son of Deep Impact is out of a USA champion mare Ginger Punch, also a dam of the multiple graded stakes winner /Japanese Oaks runner-up Rouge Buck (by Manhattan Café).
Potager finished into the top three in the first 11 runs since debut in 2019 and placed 6th in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last October. Started off this term with 0.4 seconds fifth in the 2200m-G2 American Jockey Club Cup in January , he finished 4th in the latest G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) last month. Potager received the priority entry for the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Potager

Sire: Deep Impact
Dam: Ginger Punch
Sire of Dam: Awesome Again
C5
Consigned: Northern Farm

(14th Feb 22)

Congratulations to the Turf Female champion, LOVES ONLY YOU!

Japan’s Loves Only You has been awarded the 51st annual Eclipse Champion Turf Female. The 6-year-old mare made the history for Japanese racing industry as she became the first Japanese trained horse to win the Breeders’ Cup last November.
With one of the most beautiful pedigrees in Japan-by great sire Deep Impact out of Loves Only Me (by Storm Cat)-, Loves Only You drew plenty of attention at the 2017 JRHA Select Yearling Sale and was hammered down to DMM.com Co. Ltd. for 160million yen.
Since she made a debut in November 2018, she had succeeded to be undefeated in four starts and claimed the 2019 Japanese Oaks (2400m) for her first G1 triumph. Failed to meet expectations for the first time on her return at the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) when placed 3rd in the autumn of the year, she was not able to taste any success in six starts in the 2020 term.
She kicked off the 2021 season with a victory in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February before she flew off to Dubai next month, finishing well 3rd in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) under Oishin Murphy. In the following month, she traveled again and made debut in Hong Kong with Vincent Ho up, landing the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). On her return from 4-month layoff, she reappeared on the Japanese turf at the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in summer as a part of her US bound plan and finished 2nd.
Loves Only You left for America with her stablemate Marche Lorraine (by Orfevre), and both of them made histories in the Breeders’ Cup. Loves Only You showed decisive victory in the G1 Filly and Mare Turf (2200m) and Marche Lorraine in the G1 Distaff (1800m, dirt). Yoshito Yahagi’s globetrotting mare returned to Sha Tin again in December and ended her racing career with the Hong Kong Cup success. She is now at Northern Farm where she was born and ready for her first breeding season.