Record Gross for Japan Racing Horse Association Sale

While the foal session of the two-day Japan Racing Horse Association Select Sale saw a decline in gross and average, overall the auction that concluded July 14 reported record numbers thanks to a robust yearling market. The two-day sale saw 509 horses pass through the sales ring with 478 being purchased for a record gross of ¥33,484,000,000 (US$206,763,466; ¥1,000=US$6.17). The total is up 2.4% from 2025. Average price was ¥70,050,209 (US$431,780), down 3% from 2025, while median price of 51,000,000 (US$314,357) is up 8.5% from 2025. Clearance rate registered at 93.9% for 2026, after reaching 97% in 2025. "It was a very strong and healthy market," said JRHA active chairman Teruya Yoshida, who owns Shadai Farm. "I am very impressed with the median price that has improved significantly. I understand it means the standard of horses offered this year was very high and I think it was a very healthy market. "I have the impression that the quality of yearlings offered at yesterday's session was the very best. As the result, the yearling market yesterday was very strong." Colt from First Crop of Equinox Tops JRHA Sale Session For Tuesday's session, 247 foals went thorough the sales ring and 228 of them sold for ¥15,824,000,000 (US$97,536,921) in total. The gross sale number for the session is off 7.6% compared with 2025, while average price ¥69,403,509 (US$427,794), was down 7.7%. Median matched last year's number at ¥50,000,000 (US$308,193). Clearance rate, at 92.3%, was down slightly from 95% in 2025. Leading the way at the foal session was Hip 401, a colt by Kitasan Black (JPN) purchased by M's Racing for ¥410 million, ($2,530,865). The colt, consigned by Northern Racing, is the eighth foal out of Yankee Rose, a champion in Australia at ages 2 and 3. Her second foal is Liberty Island (JPN), a champion filly in Japan at 2 and 3 in 2022-23. Equinox (JPN) continues to generate excitement as one of his colt's secured the second-highest price of the foal session at ¥330 million. The colt consigned by Okada Stud is the second foal out of Daring Tact (JPN), winner of Japan's Triple Crown for 3-year-old fillies in 2020. "My farm has never sold a horse we bred for more than ¥100 million, and I am excited about this price," said Makio Okada of Okada Stud. "He is a very nice horse. 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." Yoshida credited a diverse group of buyers for powering the record sale. "I am glad to see many new players were active at the market," Yoshida said. "The ownership of racehorses has become an attractive hobby for young successful businessmen in Japan, and it looks like those new players are not hesitant to spend more than ¥100 million 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 a very attractive market for all involved in horse racing and horse breeding in the world."