A new record price for a yearling was established at the opening session of the JRHA Select Sale on Monday as a colt by the late Deep Impact sold for ¥510,000,000.
The lot is a half-brother to Kentucky Oaks winner Cathryn Sophia out of the unraced Sheave, consigned by Northern Farm, and sold for ¥510,000,000 (US$4,766,356, £3,770,000, €4,185,000) to Tetsuhide Kunimoto.
“I am involved in ownership of racehorses for more than 35 years and I am sure this is one of the best yearlings I have ever seen,” Kunimoto said in a press release, confirming the colt will be trained by Tomokazu Takano, who trained Shonan Pandora, winner of 2015 Japan Cup winner for Kunimoto. “I visited Northern Farm three times to inspect yearlings and went to the barn of Northern Farm at sales ground this morning, when I am determined to buy him.
“Price is no object with regard to this colt and I hope his quality is as high as his price.”
Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm said he was expecting the colt to sell well.
“While I expected high price, as several major owners are interested in this colt, I did not expect the price more than 300 million yen.” Yoshida said.
“Mr.Noda visited Northern Farm yesterday and said this is the pick of day. I would like to express my sincere thanks to owners and trainers who travel to Hokkaido under current challenging situation.”
Overall, 229 lots sold for a gross of ¥10428,000,000, down 3 percent on 2019, while the average of ¥45,537,118 was down 6 percent. The clearance rate of 92 percent was just 1 percent down on last year.
Yoshida’s Northern Farm ended the session as leading vendor and praised the results.
“This is an amazing market, I was actually worried about the market, because there were travel restrictions until June 19th in Japan and owners/trainers could not come here to inspect yearlings catalogued until then.
“I am very happy with the gross sale, which is the second highest at yearling session, and am more than happy with the clearance rate, 92.0%. I would like to express my sincere thanks to owners and trainers who supported the market.”
The sale concludes on Tuesday with a session of foals.