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Duramente Colt Tops Hokkaido Selection Sale

Despite massive COVID-19 prevention protocols, the postponed 2020 Hokkaido Selection Sale drew a strong crowd, easily as big as normal years despite protocols requiring everyone to pre-register for entry credentials. The looming pandemic-induced global recession also seemed to have little effect on the sale, which set records on nearly all fronts despite being pushed back a little over a month from its usual mid-July date.

While the clearance rate was 82.5%, down from last year’s record of 83.5%, it was the best year of the sale by every other measure since its inception. The 2020 renewal grossed ¥3,589,300,000 (US$33,719,535/£25,694,448/€28,549,547), a 15.66% increase from 2019. The 2020 average was ¥19,507,065 (US$183,406/£139,643/€155,160), and the median was ¥16,500,000 (US$155,007/£118,117/€131,242), both a record, up 23.83% and 22.22%, respectively, from the 2019 figures. Overall 184 of the 223 lots that went through the ring sold, of which 137 were colts and 47 were fillies. After weeks of COVID-19 spikes around the country, Hokkaido’s rural breeders uniformly issued a massive sigh of relief, being spared any massive consequences from the recession thus far.

The sires of the top 10 lots sold say a lot about the current trends in Japanese racing and breeding, and one of those trends is the popularity of young sires. The highest price lot was lot 155, a colt by first-crop stallion Duramente (Jpn) out of Kirschwasser (Jpn) (Sakura Bakushin O {Jpn}) that sold to Toshihiro Hirosaki Holdings for ¥79,200,000 (US$744,034/£567,013/€629,944), the second most expensive yearling ever sold in the history of the Selection Sale. Offered by Amaba Reiji Bokujo, his fourth dam was blue hen mare Blitey (River Ridge).

The second highest priced lot was lot 125, a Kizuna (Jpn) colt out of Smash Heart (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) from the draft of Sakai Bokujo that Chiyono Terada bought for ¥66,000,000 (US$620,034/£472,511/€524,954).

Sophomore sire Kizuna (Jpn) had two other lots in the top 10. Lot 191, a colt that Toshihiro Hirosaki Holdings stretched to ¥50,600,000 (US$475,359/£362,250/€402,364) for from Tsuchida Farm and lot 97, another colt, that brought €44,000,000 (US$413,353/£314,945/€349,881) from Masahiro Miki and was offered by Hiroshi Chikushi.

Lord Kanaloa (Jpn), whose oldest foals are only 5-year-olds, had a pair of colts in the top 10: lot 21 went for ¥57,200,000 (US$537,358/£409,429/€454,825) to Minoru Yoshioka from Masanobu Sasajima’s draft. His dam is a half-sister to Japanese Group 3 winner Kinetics (Jpn) (Forty Niner) and the MSW Fujino Wave (Jpn) (Black Tie Affair {Ire}). The other, offered by Sakai Bokujo as lot 160, was out of MGSW & G1SP Kokorono Ai (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). He was acquired by Shigeo Nomura for ¥50,600,000 (US$475,359/£362,250/€402,364).

Freshman sire Maurice (Jpn)’s lot 217 was a colt consigned by Kineusu Bokujo that was snapped up by Northern Farm for ¥50,600,000 (US$475,359/£362,250/€402,364). Consigned by Oshima Bokujo, the Mastery colt (lot 94), out of the MGSP mare Courtesan (Street Sense), sold for ¥45,100,000 (US$423,700/£322,854/€358,612) to Bando Bokujo. He came to Japan in utero after selling for $250,000 to J.S. Company during the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Also included in the top 10 was what is likely the last Deep Impact (Jpn) yearling filly to ever go through public auction. A member of the Sakai Bokujo consignment, lot 91, out of GII Indian Oaks heroine Tiz Windy (Tiznow), sold to Tatsue Ishikawa for ¥63,800,000 (US$599,381/£456,720/€507,349).

Also among the top 10 lots was Grand Stud’s lot 209, a Henny Hughes half-brother to Listed Japan Dirt Derby (Jpn-G1) winner Higashi Will Win (Jpn) (South Vigorous). He changed hands for €53,900,000 (US$506,402/£385,843/€428,622) and was bought by Yoshizawa Stable Co. Ltd., the owner of 2019 Kentucky Derby contender Master Fencer (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}).

Besides Mastery’s single lot, two other foreign stallions were represented. Lot 129, a filly by Nathaniel (Ire) out of a full-sister to two-time G1 Dubai World Cup winner and Japan-based stallion Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) hailed from the Yano Bokujo consignment. She sold for ¥30,800,000 (US$289,372/£220,487/€244,933) to Yuichi Masuda. Postponed (Ire)’s filly (lot 70) rounded out the trio from the draft of Yano Bokujo. Knocked down to Yasuo Tejima for ¥9,350,000 (US$87,849/£66,932/€74,354), the daughter of Salasie (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}) is out of a half-sister to Kind (GB) (Danehill), the dam of Frankel (GB).

Overall it was Kizuna that rocked the sale selling nine lots for a gross of ¥298,100,000 (US$2,800,860/£2,133,964/€2,370,398) and an average of ¥33,122,222 (US$311,217/£237,116/€263,377). Henny Hughes wasn’t far off selling all of his 11 offerings for a gross of ¥285,450,000 (US$2,682,095/£2,043,491/€2,269,837) and averaging ¥25,950,000 (US$243,835/£185,750/€206,348). Lord Kanaloa sold eight for a gross of ¥242,550,000 (US$2,279,088/£1,736,175/€1,928,706) and average of ¥30,318,750 (US$284,886/£217,021/€241,100). Epiphaneia (Jpn), a sophomore sire with a lot of promise, had 13 lots sell grossing ¥229,900,000 (US$2,160,305/£1,645,673/€1,828,207) and averaging ¥17,684,615 (US$166,177/£126,590/€140,631). The hot two freshman sires Maurice and Duramente grossed ¥227,700,000 (US$2,139,633/£1,629,925/€1,811,029) from 12 sold and ¥222,750,000 (US$2,093,019/£1,594,600/€1,771,659) from 10 sold, respectively. Maurice averaged ¥18,975,000 (US$178,294/£135,836/€150,920), while Duramente’s average came in at ¥22,275,000 (US$209,291/£159,448/€177,167). Finally, first-crop sire Drefong, who has been quite popular with his progeny at the sales this year and last year grossed ¥138,600,000 (US$1,302,258/£992,126/€1,102,390) from six sold, averaging ¥23,100,000 (US$217,047/£165,351/€183,731).

The week continues with the 2020 Hokkaido Summer Sale beginning Tuesday and running through Aug. 28. If the Selection Sale’s momentum can be maintained, it could be a banner year for Hidaka region breeders.

JP¥106.449 = US$ 1.00

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Fancy Blue Battles To Nassau Success

Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), fresh from a thrilling victory in Chantilly’s G1 Prix de Diane earlier this month, doubled up in battling fashion and continued to lead the way for the freshman stable of Donnacha O’Brien with a second Group 1 success in Thursday’s G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood. Accepting a tow from Aidan O’Brien trainee and G1 Mackinnon S. victress Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) into the straight, the 11-4 chance inched closer to launch her challenge at the quarter-mile marker and was driven out once taking control soon after to withstand the late charge of last month’s G3 Blue Wind S. victress One Voice (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) by a neck, providing Ryan Moore with a 50th Goodwood festival success. Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) finished a further 2 3/4 lengths adrift in third. “That was a lovely performance from Fancy Blue, she is unbelievable and it is massive as you never believe you will get one like her in your first year of training,” said conditioner Donnacha O’Brien. “When you have the pedigrees that Coolmore have, you always have a chance and I am very lucky. I was given Fancy Blue as a yearling and you don’t really expect these kind of things, but when they come along it is more unlikely that the majority will be up to this sort of Group 1 class. You do right by them so that they will fulfil their full potential and thankfully she has reached that class. It is unbelievable that I get a filly like her in my first year. People go a lifetime without getting a filly like her and I am no under no illusions as to how lucky I am, and I just need to do the best I can with her. I was looking after her as a yearling and I was responsible for her, but I didn’t have my licence so she was not under my name.”

The homebred bay was unbeaten in two juvenile outings for Aidan O’Brien, backing up a Naas debut success with victory in The Curragh’s Listed Staffordstown Stud S., and her first official start for O’Brien junior was a runner-up finish to Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas on seasonal debut before turning the tables on that former stablemate at Chantilly last time. “I was hopeful of a good performance due to the weight she was getting [from the older fillies], and this race fitted in well after her win in the French Oaks,” O’Brien commented. “Every race she has won she has had to battle for and work for it. Jessie [Harrington]’s filly [One Voice] came at her today and if she had got into a proper battle with her, I think she would have found more. She is a very tough, high-class filly who has shown how good she is today. We came here today unsure as to what she would think of the ground. I was speaking to Dad during the race that she was swapping and changing her lead leg coming down the hill. She didn’t look particularly comfortable and I think a little bit of juice in the ground won’t be any harm for her in the future.”

Looking ahead to targets over a variety of distances, the rookie trainer revealed an extensive agenda. “We will give her a little break now as she has had a busy start to the year,” he announced. “We might look at Irish Champions Weekend to bring her back and that could be in the [G1] Matron [over one mile at Leopardstown], which I know is back down in trip, or in the [G1] Irish Champion [over 10 furlongs]. She’ll then go to Arc weekend where she has the option of the [G1] Prix de l’Opera [over 10 furlongs] or the Arc itself. After that, it will probably be the Breeders’ Cup or a trip to Japan for the Queen Elizabeth, where there is big money on offer over a mile-and-three and a bonus for winning the Prix de Diane. We’re not really sure what is going on with America at the minute, but they are the options. All the people in Japan are massive supporters of racing and I know myself from riding Saxon Warrior, and him being by Deep Impact, that we got a good following from the Japanese fans. It is always somewhere I have wanted to go and, whilst it is not set in stone, she could go there. Arc weekend fits nicely so whether it is the Opera or the Arc, we will sit down and speak with the owners. Taking in the [G1 Prix] Vermeille [over 12 furlongs] could maybe be a possibility, but we will have to see. There are a lot of good races around and I think she would be competitive anywhere from a mile to a mile-and-a-half. With her allowance in the Arc, I wouldn’t be writing her off either so we’ll have to see how strong the Opera is. Coolmore could have Love for the Arc too so nothing is set in stone.”

Fancy Blue is one of six winners produced by Chenchikova (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), herself a winning full-sister to MG1SW sire High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) and G2 Dante S. victor and GI Secretariat S. runner-up Black Bear Island (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells). She is a kin to stakes-winning G1 Dewhurst S. third Smuggler’s Cove (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and stakes-winning G3 Prix de Lutece placegetter Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Fancy Blue is also a half-sister to the placed 2-year-old filly Miss Chess (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), a yearling filly by Caravaggio and a 2020 filly by Saxon Warrior (Jpn). Chenchikova, kin to the dam of MGSW GI Belmont Derby Invitational third Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and MGSW G1 Dewhurst S. placegetter David Livingston (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is also a granddaughter of MGSW French champion and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and G1 Prix du Moulin placegetter Kozana (GB) (Kris {GB}). The latter produced a quartet of stakes performers which includes G1 Premio Parioli (Italian 2000 Guineas) and GI Oak Tree Turf Championship runner-up Khoraz (The Minstrel).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £250,000, Goodwood, 7-30, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:04.99, gd.
1–FANCY BLUE (IRE), 124, f, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chenchikova (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
2nd Dam: Kasora (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Kozana (GB), by Kris (GB)
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Donnacha O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £141,775. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, SW & G1SP-Ire, 5-4-1-0, $666,724. *1/2 to Smuggler’s Cove (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $137,682; and to Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), MSW & GSP-Fr, $163,024. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–One Voice (Ire), 124, f, 3, Poet’s Voice (GB)–Zaaqya (GB), by Nayef. (€55,000 Ylg ’18 GOFSPT). O-Craig Bernick; B-J Lenihan (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. £53,750.
3–Nazeef (GB), 133, f, 4, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Handassa (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Estate Company Limited (GB); T-John Gosden. £26,900.
Margins: NK, 2 3/4, HF. Odds: 2.75, 20.00, 3.30.
Also Ran: Queen Power (Ire), Magic Wand (Ire), Lavender’s Blue (Ire), Deirdre (Jpn). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Deep Impact’s Harajuku Earns Rising Stardom in France

Andre Fabre trainee Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) went postward at generous odds of 23-5 for Sunday’s Prix de la Butte Blanche at Chantilly and came home in style to earn ‘TDN Rising Star’ status in the seven-furlong maiden heat for fillies. She was well away to occupy a handy slot in third before improving to go second at halfway in this debut. Looming large on the bridle off the home turn, Harajuku eased to the fore approaching the quarter-mile marker and was not for catching thereafter, running on powerfully in the closing stages to prevail by an impressive 2 1/2 lengths from Amazing Grace (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}).

“We were hopeful she would run a good race first time out, but Andre [Fabre] felt she might lack the experience,” admitted racing manager Alan Cooper. “She is a beautifully bred filly and had a lovely action at the end. She is the perfect example of what international racing and breeding is. She was conceived in Japan, born in Ireland and now raced in France.”

Harajuku is the third of four foals and becomes the second scorer produced by a dual-winning full-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself the dam of this month’s G1 Eclipse S. winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and GI Man o’ War S. victress Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The February-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to G2 Meguro Kinen victor King of Koji (Jpn) (King Kanaloa {Jpn}) and a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus).

2nd-Chantilly, €22,000, Mdn, 7-19, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.84, g/s.
HARAJUKU (IRE), f, 2, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Phaenomena (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Caumshinaun (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Ridge Pool (Ire), by Bluebird
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,000. O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Deep Impact’s Fancy Blue Prevails in the Diane

Aidan O’Brien has yet to win the G1 Prix de Diane Longines and son Donnacha has the jump on him in his first season training after Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) battled to glory in Sunday’s Chantilly Classic. Runner-up but the major eye-catcher in the June 13 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh, Michael Tabor’s second-string behind the winner of that Classic Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was always close to the pace set by the G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}). Gaining the edge with 300 metres remaining, the 8-1 shot kept finding to deny that 2-1 favourite in a nip-and-tuck finale. At the line, she had a short neck to spare over the Niarchos homebred, with two heads separating Peaceful and Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in a four-way thriller.

“This is another great moment in a very strange season, but it’s all going well now,” winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot commented. “I’m absolutely thrilled to win a first Classic for such a young trainer and he said she was very straightforward and easy to ride and would stay very well. We didn’t go very fast in front, but it wasn’t in our interest nor that of Stephane Pasquier to set the pace for the others. She really put her heart into it for me.”

Donnacha is only 21 and was understandably delighted to become the third member of his family to train a Classic winner. “There’s so much pressure and a lot of work goes into it, but this feeling is great,” he said. “I always knew she was a very good filly and we always thought the step up in trip would suit her. Pierre is a very good rider and I told him to do what he wants. There was no pace early so he went forward on her and sat upsides the leader. It was exactly what I would have liked him to do. She quickened up well and stuck at it. We’ll get her home and see how she is. We might have a look at the [G1] Irish Oaks at The Curragh.”

Trained at Ballydoyle last term, Fancy Blue was off the mark on debut over seven furlongs at Naas in September before taking the Listed Staffordstown Stud S. at The Curragh the following month. Making up an abundance of ground out wide against the bias in the Irish Guineas, she was at the forefront here and from some way out had only Alpine Star to beat. Despite the oncoming threat of Peaceful and Raabihah to her left, it was the market-leader down on the rail who she had to subdue and she finally did so in the last 50 metres.

Alpine Star’s trainer Jessie Harrington said of the runner-up, “She’s gone very close and it was a whisker either way. Maybe the ground was a bit too quick for her, but that’s life. It’s quite a funny feeling to be disappointed after running second in a group one. She ran her heart out. It’s pretty quick after Ascot and I’m delighted with her. She seems to stay and she did everything right.”

Fancy Blue is out of Chenchikova (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells), who was also responsible for the Listed Star Appeal S. winner and G1 Dewhurst S. third Smuggler’s Cove (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and his dual listed-winning full-brother Casterton (Ire). The second dam Kasora (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) was “Broodmare of the Year” in 2002 and 2003 courtesy of the exploits of Chenchikova’s famed full-brother, the G1 Epsom and Irish Derby and dual GI Breeders’ Cup Turf hero and leading sire High Chaparral (Ire) and his G2 Dante S.-winning full-brother Black Bear Island (Ire) who was also runner-up in the GI Secretariat S. Also connected is the listed-placed Treasure the Lady (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who is in turn the second dam of this year’s G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial winner Love Locket (Ire) (No Nay Never). Kasora is also the second dam of the G3 Hampton Court S. winner Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who was third in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational as well, and the G2 Beresford S. scorer and G1 National S. third David Livingston (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Chenchikova also has an as-yet unraced filly by Zoffany (Ire) named Miss Chess (Ire) and a yearling filly by Caravaggio.

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €600,000, Chantilly, 7-5, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:05.46, g/s.
1–FANCY BLUE (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Chenchikova (Ire), by Sadler’s Wells
2nd Dam: Kasora (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Kozana (GB), by Kris (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Donnacha O’Brien; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €342,840. Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Ire, 4-3-1-0, €432,092. *1/2 to Smuggler’s Cove (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), SW-Ire & G1SPEng, $137,682; and Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), MSW & GSP-Fr, $163,024. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Alpine Star (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sea The Moon (Ger)–Alpha Lupi (Ire), by Rahy. O/B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €137,160.
3–Peaceful (Ire), 126, f, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Missvinski, by Stravinsky. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €68,580.
Margins: SNK, HD, HD. Odds: 8.10, 2.10, 3.90.
Also Ran: Raabihah, Magic Attitude (GB), Ebaiyra, Solsticia (Ire), Speak of the Devil (Fr), Miss Extra (Fr), Mageva (GB), Vadsena (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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