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Increases Across the Board at Hokkaido September Sale

The second to last Japanese yearling sale on the calendar is in the books, and the health of the Japanese bloodstock market compared to other global markets was on full display during the Hokkaido September Sale from Sept. 22-24. The three-day sale saw healthy increases across the board despite the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic downturn.

A day longer than last year’s sale, the 2020 renewal’s increase in gross was expected on numbers alone, but the increases to the clearance, average and median were a welcome relief to the Japanese breeding industry. Of the 601 lots offered, 451 (75%) sold, grossing ¥2,211,220,000 (US$20,605,566/£16,442,952/€18,011,762), a 38.39% increase. The average and median were ¥4,902,926 (US$46,254/£36,458/€39,937) and ¥3,850,000 (US$36,320/£28,629/€31,360), an increase of 11.38% and 11.4%, respectively. Interestingly, the lowest price of the sale, which usually remains uniform in sales each year, was ¥660,000 (US$6,226/£4,907/€5,376), a 103.7% increase from 2019. Overall, 31 yearlings sold for over ¥10,000,000 (US$94,339/£74,364/€81,459) this year, up from 25 last year.

The most expensive lot of the sale was lot 370, a colt by Vincennes (Jpn) selected by Dearest Club for ¥27,500,000 (US$259,433/£204,503/€224,014). He is a half-brother to G2 St Lite Kinen and G3 Radio Nikkei Sho victor Babbitt (Jpn) (Nakayama Festa {Jpn}) and was offered on the second day.

Hokko Tarumae (Jpn) led all stallions by gross with ¥73,480,000 (US$693,207/£546,438/€598,684) for 12 sold of 13 offered and an average of ¥6,123,333 (US$57,767/£45,536/€49,890), tops of all stallions with 10 or more sold. The Factor was a strong second, with all 12 of his yearlings marked as sold for a gross of ¥69,630,000 (US$656,886/£517,808/€567,316) and an average of ¥5,802,500 (US$54,740/£43,125/€47,276). Strong Return (Jpn) had the most lots going into the sale with 19, and 15 of his yearlings found new homes for an aggregate of ¥68,090,000 (US$642,358/£506,054/€554,445) and an average of ¥4,539,333 (US$42,823/£33,740/€36,963).

Eleven yearlings by Asia Express grossed ¥60,390,000 (US$569,716/£448,812/€491,662) and averaged ¥5,490,000 (US$51,792/£40,801/€44,696). Copano Rickey (Jpn) had 12 lots gross ¥59,730,000 (US$563,490/£443,907/€486,304) and average ¥4,977,500 (US$46,957/£36,992/€40,525). Isla Bonita (Jpn) grossed ¥56,100,000 (US$529,245/£417,025/€456,835) and averaged ¥5,610,000 (US$52,924/£49,136/€53,826) with 10 sold. Makfi (GB) had nine lots sell for a gross of ¥55,110,000 (US$519,905/£409,578/€448,805) and average of ¥6,123,333 (US$57,767/£45,508/€49,867).

Four popular young sires sold all of their yearlings that were cataloged. Four yearlings by Kizuna (Jpn) sold for a gross of ¥47,190,000 (US$445,188/£350,719/€384,331) and an average of ¥11,797,500 (US$111,297/£87,010/€95,349). Duramente (Jpn) had four lots sell that grossed ¥43,890,000 (US$414,056/£326,147/€357,441) and averaged ¥10,972,500 (US$103,514/£81,536/€89,360). Mikki Isle (Jpn)’s eight lots brought a combined ¥42,680,000 (US$402,641/£317,176/€347,574) and an average of ¥5,335,000 (US$503,310/£39,647/€43,446). Maurice (Jpn) was represented by a trio which sold for a total of ¥28,600,000 (US$269,811/£212,533/€232,901) and an average of ¥9,533,333 (US$89,937/£70,838/€77,643).

The final yearling sale of the 2020 sales calendar will be held on Oct. 19-20, the Hokkaido Autumn Sale. COVID-19 protocols that were upheld in previous sales will continue through the Autumn Sale.

US$1 = JP¥106.00

All values include tax.

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Well-Hyped Contrail Delivers at Chukyo

Pounded down to 10 cents on the dollar, dual Classic hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) marked his return to the races with an easy-as-he-pleased victory in the 2200-metre G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Chukyo on Sunday.

Away in good order, pilot Yuichi Fukunaga eased Contrail back to sit in midfield while well covered up in the early stages. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) showed the way through a half in :47.40 and a mile in 1:36.30 with positions largely unchanged. Nearing the final bend the heavy favourite had a wall of horses to navigate. A gap opened at the head of the lane and Contrail dashed through, taking over 250 metres from home before winning under hands and heels without ever being asked a serious question. Weltreisende (Jpn) (Dream Journey {Jpn}) closed from out of the clouds to take second, two lengths adrift, while Robertson Quay (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third a neck off of the runner-up.

Never tried under 1800 metres, Contrail won his debut at that trip at Hanshin in September of last year, before setting a new record in Tokyo’s G3 Tokyo Sports Hia Nisai S. on Nov. 16, covering the distance in a blazing 1:44.50. Tested at Group 1 level in the 2000-metre Hopeful S., he maintained his unbeaten record at Nakayama on Dec. 28 and was named Japan’s 2019 Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. This term, he picked up where he left off, adding the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in April and the May 31 2400-metre Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).

Pedigree Notes
The near-black colt is one of two Group 1 winners for his late sire out of Unbridled’s Song mares, the other being Danon Platina (Jpn), while Group 2 winner Red Bel Jour (Jpn) struck in the G2 Kyoto Daily Hai Nisai. Placed four times as a juvenile in Japan after selling to Koji Maeda for $385,000 at Keeneland September in 2011, Rhodochrosite foaled two winners from two runners prior to Contrail. Barren in 2018, she has a yearling colt from the second-to-last crop of Deep Impact and a Heart’s Cry (Jpn) colt foal born on Mar. 26. Her dam, the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Matron S. heroine Folklore (Tiznow) was named the 2005 Eclipse Award Champion Juvenile Filly.

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan
KOBE SHIMBUN HAI-G2, ¥105,300,000 (US$997,673/£783,013/€857,539), Chukyo, 9-27, 3yo, c/f, 2200mT, 2:12.50, fm.
1–CONTRAIL (JPN), 123, c, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Rhodochrosite, by Unbridled’s Song
                2nd Dam: Folklore, by Tiznow
                3rd Dam: Contrive, by Storm Cat
O-Shinji Maeda; B-North Hills (Jpn); T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Yuichi
Fukunaga. ¥55,260,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn,
MG1SW-Jpn, 6-6-0-0. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Weltreisende (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Dream Journey (Jpn)–
Mandela (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger). O-Sunday Racing;
B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥22,360,000.
3–Robertson Quay (Jpn), 123, c, 3, Rulership (Jpn)–Tokai
Megami (Jpn), by Sunday Silence. (¥10,000,000 Wlg ’17
JRHAJUL). O-Kazutaka Hosaka; B-Nagahama Farm (Jpn);
¥14,180,000.
Margins: 2, NK, 1. Odds: 0.10, 19.30, 111.70.
Also Ran: Deep Bond (Jpn), Turkish Palace (Ire), Endymion (Jpn), L’Excellence (Jpn), Iron Barows (Jpn), Man of Spirit (Jpn), Deep King (Jpn), Bitterender (Jpn), Panthalassa (Jpn), Shimbo (Jpn), Irogotoshi (Jpn), Meisho Bosatsu (Jpn), Falconia (Jpn), Grande Mare (Jpn), My Rhapsody (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Golden Sixty Dominates Celebration Cup

Sunday’s G3 Celebration Cup H. was billed as something of a David versus Goliath matchup between Classic series sweeper Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) and multiple Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}). But, in receipt of a whopping 17 pounds from the 8-year-old, Golden Sixty–having his first start since winning the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) in March–kicked in with what has become his trademark finishing speed to post a facile success, as Beauty Generation and Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) hit the line in unison to share second.

Settled worse than midfield behind a moderate tempo, Golden Sixty was patiently handled on the turn, but was eased out into the clear with a bit more than 400 metres to race. Champion’s Way, who sat a nice inside trip for Joao Moreira, was sent into the lead in upper stretch, but Golden Sixty’s turn of foot proved decisive, as he rolled past an on to a convincing victory. Beauty Generation also traveled inside and was short of room at the furlong marker, but boxed on gamely to earn the dead-heat for second.

“It’s very exciting to be back on him [Golden Sixty], he felt great and fresh today–once I got a clear run I knew he’d run them down,” winning jockey Vincent Ho said. “I think he is one of the best horses in Hong Kong at the moment.”

Winning conditioner Francis Lui is considering Golden Sixty for either the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile or G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) come December.

David Hayes, who has taken over the training of Beauty Generation with the departure of John Moore, was pleased enough with what he saw on the track.

“We knew it was always going to be a big ask to give a young champion like Golden Sixty so much weight, but I thought Beauty Generation would have finished a clear second with a better run and I’m very happy with the way he went,” Hayes said.

Pedigree Notes:

Golden Sixty is bred on the cross of Medaglia d’Oro over sire sons of Forty Niner which has yielded the likes of US Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra (out of a daughter of Roar), champion Songbird and other 10-furlong Grade I winners Elate and New Money Honey (each o/o a Distorted Humor dam). His deeper female family includes the likes of champions Bosra Sham and Hector Protector and MG1/GISW Ciro.

Gaudeamus is the dam of a 3-year-old colt by Choisir (Aus), and a yearling filly by G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}). She was most recently bred to Trapeze Artist (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) on a Nov. 18 cover date.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CELEBRATION CUP H.-G3, HK$3,500,000 (A$642,413/£354,438/
€388,175/US$451,616), Sha Tin, 9-27, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:20.54, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 116, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$1,995,000. Lifetime Record: Ch.
4yo-HK, 12-11-0-0, HK$33,465,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
(DH)-2–Beauty Generation (NZ), 133, g, 8, Road to Rock (Aus)–
Stylish Bel (Aus), by Bel Esprit (Aus). (NZ$60,000 Ylg ’14
NZBJAN). O-Patrick Kwok Ho Chuen; B-Nearco Stud Ltd;
T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$586,250.
(DH)-2–Champion’s Way (Aus), 115, g, 5, Hinchinbrook (Aus)–
Greta’s Yarn (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice (Aus). (A$150,000 Ylg
’17 INGFEB). O-Dr & Mrs Arthur Leung, Elaine Leung & Angela
Leung; B-G Bunt (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$586,250.
Margins: 1 3/4, (DH), 3/4. Odds: 0.80, (3.90, 7.80).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

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Belardo’s Elysium In Weld Upset

Runner-up to the subsequent G2 Beresford S. third Snapraeterea (Ire) (Buratino {Ire}) in an extended seven-furlong conditions event at Roscommon last time Aug. 18, The London Racing Partnership’s Elysium (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) stepped up to spring a surprise in Sunday’s G3 Weld Park S. at The Curragh. In training with Noel Meade who is best known for his exploits in the jumping sphere, the 12-1 shot was held up in rear early by Billy Lee and when given the green light inside the final two furlongs swamped Aunty Bridy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) with 100 yards remaining en route to a 1 1/2-length success, with Thinking of You (American Pharoah) 3/4 of a length away in third. “Believe it or not, I had said to Billy [Lee] beforehand that although a lot of people thought she has no chance I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins,” Meade said of the €15,000 Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale purchase. “I told him to ride her to get some money and hopefully you’ll get more than that and he rode her beautifully.”

Introduced in the five-furlong Naas maiden won by TDN Rising Star More Beautiful (War Front) and from which the subsequent group winners Miss Amulet (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) and Aloha Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) also emerged on the first day back after the lockdown June 8, Elysium was an uneventful 10th there. Off the mark next time when Miss Amulet was fourth over another 164 yards at Navan June 23, the bay was third on her first try at this seven-furlong trip in Leopardstown’s Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Race Final July 16 before her runner-up placing in another of that series of races in deep ground at Roscommon. “I’ve always thought a lot of her–she has shown us oceans of toe at home and I was a bit disappointed at Leopardstown, but Colin [Keane] said she didn’t really understand what it was all about as she’d never been as quick as that before. She certainly seems to have held her form very well and we’ll have to see where we are now. She’s not in anything coming up except a sales race and that was where we were thinking of going after this, but now I don’t know. There are three of us involved in the ownership and we thought we’d buy a few cheap ones with a view to selling. I bought four and I think they are okay.”

In a remarkable year for bargain-buy juveniles, Elysium was joining a growing club of domestic group-race winners alongside the €8,000 sensations Minaun (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Laws of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) and the high-class Cadillac (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who fetched just €40,000. Elysium is the second individual pattern-race winner for her Kildangan Stud-based first-season sire and follows two days after his other, Isabella Giles (Ire), lit up Newmarket in the G2 Rockfel S. The dam is the Listed Chesham S. runner-up Sonning Rose (Ire) (Hawk Wing), who is kin to three black-type performers headed by the G3 Premio Carlo Chiesa runner-up Universo Star (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}). This is the family of the three-times group 1-winning Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Gold River (Riverman). Sonning Rose’s filly foal is by Sioux Nation.

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
WELD PARK S.-G3, €50,000, Curragh, 9-27, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:28.17, yl.
1–ELYSIUM (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Belardo (Ire)
1st Dam: Sonning Rose (Ire) (SP-Eng), by Hawk Wing
2nd Dam: Shinkoh Rose (Fr), by Warning (GB)
3rd Dam: Sandpiper’s Dream, by Lyphard
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€15,000 Ylg ’19 GOAUTY). O-The London Racing Partnership; B-Tullpark Ltd (IRE); T-Noel Meade; J-Billy Lee. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $59,453. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Aunty Bridy (Ire), 128, f, 2, Camacho (GB)–Benedicte (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-David Granville; B-Karis Bloodstock Ltd & Rathbarry Stud (IRE); T-Jim Bolger. €10,000.
3–Thinking of You, 128, f, 2, American Pharoah–Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O’Brien. €5,000.
Margins: 1HF, 3/4, NO. Odds: 12.00, 4.50, 3.30.
Also Ran: No Speak Alexander (Ire), Sense of Style (Ire), A Ma Chere (Ire), Keeper of Time (Ire), Angel Palm (GB), Star Image (GB), Halla Rince (Ire). Scratched: Monday, No Stopping Her (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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