American Sires Represented in Japan's HBA Summer Sale

Japan's premier yearling auction, the HBA Summer Yearling Sale, has 1,406 yearlings cataloged for its upcoming event, including several by American stallions, to be offered Aug. 17-22 in Shizunai. Honor Code and Sharp Azteca, who were imported from the United States and began standing in Japan in 2024, are represented by 32 and 39 first-crop Japanese yearlings, respectively. Hip 522 is a filly by Honor Code out of Kinsho Yukihime, winner of the 2018 Fukushima Himba Stakes (G3) and earner of more than $1 million. Hip 393 is a colt by Sharp Azteca out of Belle Robe, a granddaughter of 2016 American Oaks (G1T) winner Decked Out, who was bought at Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in 2017 by Lake Villa Farm for $900,000. Other notable entries with strong American influence include Hip 790, a filly by Essential Quality out of Zintelle, who is a half sister to multiple grade 1 winner and first-crop sire Cyberknife; and Hip 1064, a colt by first-crop sire Dr. Schivel out of Tetragonal, who finished third in the 2021 San Clemente Handicap (G2T). Progeny from top 10 sires such as Kizuna (JPN), Drefong, Epiphaneia (JPN), Rey de Oro (JPN), Saturnalia (JPN), Le Vent Se Leve (JPN), Sinister Minister, and Maurice (JPN) are represented by their yearlings. The catalog features 25 yearlings by Efforia (JPN), Japan's sensational freshman sire who leads the rankings by a wide margin with seven 2-year-old winners through July 31, including Hip 333, a filly out of Sweetest Angel, who finished third in the 2021 Senorita Stakes (G3T). Toru Tagami purchased the mare at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale for $110,000.