While rain on June 11-12 slowed some yearling inspections at Northern Horse Park, buyers were ready Monday for a spirited yearling session at the Japan Racing Horse Association Sale that registered strong numbers when compared with 2025.
Topping the session would be Hip 110, a son of two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox—Youngstar (AUS), by High Chaparral purchased by Masahiro Noda's Danox Co. for ¥420 million ($2,592,593; ¥1,000=$6.16). Consigned by Northern Farm, the colt is the third foal out of Youngstar, a Queensland Oaks (G1) winner who already has produced a grade 2 winner in Eri King. The colt is from the first crop of Equinox.
The yearling session saw 262 offerings pass through the sales ring, with 250 selling. It enjoyed strong numbers as gross sales improved 13.6% to ¥17.66 billion ($108.8 million) while the average price of ¥70,640,000 ($435,200) was up 2.2% up from 2025. Median, at ¥52 million ($320,324), rocketed up 18.2% from 2025. Clearance rate, at 95.4%, was down a bit from the 99.1% rate last year.
"This market is stronger than I expected," said JHRA director and Northern Farm owner Katsumi Yoshida. "As so many buyers visited Northern Farm to inspect yearlings in last few weeks, I expected a strong market. But this result is better than expected."
A number of top-priced yearlings had ties to the United States. Kaneko Makoto Holdings went to ¥390 million yen ($2.4 million) to land a son of Efforia who was offered as Hip 190. The colt is the fourth foal out of 2016 Falls City Handicap (G2) winner Lady Fog Horn, who was bought by Shadai Farm at the 2018 Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale for $300,000.
Hip35, a son of Epiphaneia out of 2021 Acorn Stakes (G1) winner Search Results, was purchased by M's Racing for ¥350 million ($2,160,494). The consignment by Northern Racing offered the first foal out of Search Results, who was bought by Katsumi Yoshida for $3.6 million at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in 2023.
Hip129, a Kitasan Black colt, was bought by Susumu Fujita for ¥300 million ($1,851,852). Consigned by Shadai Farm, the colt is the seventh foal out of Land Over Sea, winner of the 2016 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Shadai Farm purchased Land Over Sea for $1.3 million at the 2017 edition of Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale.
An Equinox colt (Hip 21) out of Green Bananas (by Green Tune) provided the first fireworks of the day. Consigned by Shadai Farm, the half brother to Prix Jean Romanet (G1) and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) winner Audarya was purchased by Yujiro Inutsuka for ¥210 million ($1,296,297).
"I am a great supporter of Equinox and was looking for yearlings by Equinox with the highest quality," Inutsuka said. "As I inspected yearlings by Equinox, I judged this to be the best Equinox yearling consigned by Shadai Farm.
"Coincidentally, the birthday of this colt (March 23) is same as Equinox. I dream this colt will win the Japanese Derby, which Equinox could not win." The colt will be trained by Takahisa Tezuka.
Yoshida noted the strength of sires at the sales.
"The market was supported by several stallions, such as Kitasan Black, Efforia, and Equinox. Kitasan Black is a proven stallion and the first crop by Efforia—2-year-olds this year—has made a rocket start," Yoshida said. "Therefore, I expected those stallions to be popular. Equinox is an unproven stallion and it is amazing to see his yearlings are so popular."
Equinox was named the Longines' World's Best Racehorse of 2023.
"I am very glad to see eight yearlings were bought by international buyers today," Yoshida said. "Japanese-trained horses are running well on international stages in recent years and I understand those successes by Japanese-trained horses have attracted international buyers."
The foal session of 2026 JRHA Select Sale will be conducted at Northern Horse Park July 14.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
