Hokkaido September Sale Kicks Off Sept. 21

The Hidaka Horse Breeders Association's Hokkaido September Yearling Sale kicks off Sept. 21 and has 530 Japanese-bred yearlings standing by for two sessions at Shizunai. The catalog features four yearlings by Kizuna (JPN) and nine yearlings by Bago (FR), the respective sires of Deep Bond (JPN) and Chrono Genesis (JPN), who are pointing to the Oct. 3 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp. Hip 225 is a Kizuna colt out of Nobara (Manhattan Cafe), a half sister to Sound of Heart (JPN) and Cafe Brilliant (JPN), both of which are winners of the Sankei Sports Hai Hanshin Himba Stakes (G2). Hip 93 is a Bago colt out of Vernazza (Unbridled's Song), a half sister to multiple stakes winner and 2020 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) runner-up Fashionably Fast. Vernazza was bought for $27,000 by Ever Union Shokai for Fujisawa Farm from the Lane's End consignment at the 2010 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale. Other notable entries are Hip 67, a Dunkirk filly; Hip 199, a Lord Kanaloa (JPN) filly; and Hip 425, a Copano Rickey (JPN) colt. Hi 67 is out of Asahi Rising (JPN) (Royal Touch), who won the 2007 Hokkaido Shimbun Hai Queen Stakes at Sapporo and finished second in the 2006 American Oaks (G1T) at Hollywood Park; Hip 199 is out of Themelie Island (IRE) (Montjeu), who won the Christ Lacke-Berberis-Rennen in Germany and placed in group company in Germany and Italy; and Hip 425 is out of Spoken Fur (Notebook), winner of the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) in 2003. At the 2020 Hokkaido September sale, 451 yearlings from 601 offered sold for gross receipts of ¥2,211,220,000 (US$20,805,566), an average of ¥4,902,926 ($46,254), and a median of ¥3,850,000 ($36,320).