Salios shows soundness, stamina and longevity of German and Japanese influences

Years of major investment in international bloodlines have ensured that many of Japan’s breeders, particularly the Yoshida family, are now in possession of an enviable collection of breeding stock.

Japan’s standing as a major producer of elite horses is the culmination of decades worth of work. There was a stage when major European and North American runners were pursued aggressively as stallion prospects; think back to the 1990s when an array of Derby winners were exported for stallion duty, some with more successful results than others. All the while, a number of high-performing fillies and mares were being added to make Japan one of the most upwardly mobile racing nations of the world.

Every winter, the breeding stock sales season swings by with the anticipation of a market boost from Japanese buyers. And this year was no different, as Japanese entities accounted for four-million dollar lots at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale and at least 2.7 million guineas worth of stock at the Tattersalls December Sale.