Deep Impact colt tops day two of JRHA Select Sale

For the seventh year in a row, a son or daughter of leading Japanese sire Deep Impact topped the foal session of the JRHA Select Sale, with Hip 400, a colt out of Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia, bought by Hajime Satomi for ¥290 million (£1.97m/€2.23m).

"He was my pick of the day," said Satomi. "This colt reminds me of Satono Diamond and my advisor, Yasuo Ikee, suggested this was the nicest Deep Impact foal in the catalogue. I hope he will go one place better in the Japanese Derby than Satono Diamond [who finished second in 2016]."

Hip 382, a colt by King Kamehameha out of Hikaru Amaranthus consigned by Northern Racing, was bought by Yoshihisa Ozasa for ¥140m.

"I come here to find a nice colt by Heart's Cry or King Kamehameha," said Ozasa. "My trainer Yoshito Yahagi recommended this colt, who has a very attractive head, and I liked him. I hope he will be good mile and a half horse."

Maurice, winner of six Grade 1 races in Japan and Hong Kong, was among the sires represented by their first crop at the JRHA Select Sale foal session.

Hip 339, a colt out of Fuji Kiseki mare Lasting Song consigned by Northern Farm, was bought by KT Racing for ¥170m.

"We liked him a lot," said Yoshihiro Kunimochi, racing manager for KT Racing. "He cost more than we thought but we were happy to secure him for our stable. I would like him to become an international runner like his sire.”

Another exciting new sire with foals on offer was King Kamehameha stallion Duramente, who won the Japanese Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) in 2015 establishing a new stakes record.

Hip 397, a colt out of Falbrav mare I'm Yours consigned by Northern Farm, was bought by Nick for ¥180m.

"He has a great pedigree, great conformation and is a good mover,” said Hiroyasu Takeuchi, bloodstock advisor to Nick. "He is inbred 4x4 to Dyna Curl, the 1983 Japanese Oaks winner, which looks very attractive for me."

At the second session of the JRHA Select Sale, 231 foals were offered and 205 sold for ¥8.25 billion in total, which is five per cent less than twelve month ago. The average price of ¥40,280,488 represents a 12 per cent decrease from 2017, while the clearance rate improved from 86 per cent in 2017 to 89 per cent this year.

During two days at 2018 JRHA Select Sale, 464 lots are offered and 416 of them found new owners. Gross sales of ¥17.9 billion were four per cent more than 2017 and the average price of ¥43,106,769 was one per cent higher than 2017. The clearance rate improved from 88 per cent in 2017 to 90 per cent this year.

"It was an amazing sale," Teruya Yoshida, active chairman of Japan Racing Horse Association, said at the conclusion of the sale. "The market was strong and healthy through two days, and I would like to thank all buyers for supporting the market. I would also like to thank the management team of the sale, who did a great job."