2018 Hokkaido Summer Sale Preview

After Monday, August 20th’s Premium Sale the rest of the week was devoted to the usual Summer Sale, Japan’s largest yearling sale. Reduced to four days this year it is hard to compare stats with last year, but overall the clearance rate was a solid 69.9%, though down 8.7% from last year’s above average sale clearance. The gross for the four days was \4,216,320,000(US$37,787,417), with an average of \4,960,376(US$44,455). While both were down from last year, the shorting of the sale obviously impacts these numbers. In contrast, however, gross for the four days was an increase from the 2016 gross where the sale was five days long.

The recently departed South Vigorous(USA) ruled the sale, selling 23 lots of 26 and grossing \208,116,000(US$1,865,172) while averaging \9,048,521(US$81,094). South Vigorous(USA) has been one of the most reliable dirt sires in Japan for over a decade, so with his passing this past March, his progeny went beyond their usual popularity at the sales. Hot on his heels, however, was Dunkirk(USA) who grossed \154,440,000(US$1,384,119) and averaged \7,020,000(US$62,914) for the 22 lots sold. The grey son of Unbridle’s Song(USA) was imported to Japan for the 2015 breeding season after a promising first crop in the United States. His first Japanese crop hit the track this spring and is currently second on the JRA and NAR comprehensive Freshman Sire Ranking behind Just a Way(JPN). However, Dunkirk(USA) is the leading Dirt Freshman Sire in Japan and his first crops success at the races translated directly into his second crops performance in the ring last week. All five of the most successful sirelines at the Summer Sale were imports from the United States at one point in time. 2009 G1 Forego Handicap winner Pyro(USA) was next grossing \144,180,000(US$1,292,167) and averaged \7,209,000(US$64,608) with 20 lots sold. 2008 G2 Peter Pan Stakes winner Casino Drive(USA) grossed \126,252,000(US$1,131,493) and averaged \6,012,000(US$53,880) over 21 lots. 2006 G1 Bluegrass Stakes winner Sinister Minister(USA) grossed \110,916,000(US$994,049) and averaged \5,837,684(US$52,318) with 19 lots sold.

The highest priced lot, however, was Hip 1167, a Suzuka Causeway(JPN) colt sold to Toshiya Miyazaki, the same owner who bought the sale topper at the Summer Premium, for \33,480,000(US$300,053). Suzuka Causeway(JPN) was imported in utero after dam French Riviera(USA) was purchased for $700,000 at the 2003 Keeneland November Sale. The Giant’s Causeway(USA) colt went to win the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup in 2009 before retiring to stud in 2014. He has only had three small crops to hit the track so far, but of the 16 starters, 12 have been winners.

The final yearling sale in Japan is the Hokkaido Autumn Sale on October 1st through 3rd at the Hokkaido Sales Pavilion in Shizunai, Hokkaido.

$1 = \111.58