Darley yearlings prove popular in Hokkaido Summer Sale

The Hokkaido Summer Sale was held in Shizunai, Hidaka-cho from 20 to 25 August, with a higher percentage of yearlings sold than last year.

This is the largest yearling sale in Japan in terms of yearling numbers and buyers. The listed yearlings come from a wide range of pedigrees. Therefore this sale has a significant influence on the thoroughbred breeding industry in Japan, and yearlings by Admire Moon, Deep Sky and Pyro proved to be very popular with buyers at the sale.

Lot 192, Polyrhythm ’11 by Admire Moon, was sold for 12 million yen, and was the highest-priced filly and second highest yearling on the first day. The following day saw a similar result with lot 343, Sunshell ’11 by Admire Moon, also selling for 12 million yen as the highest-priced filly and the second highest yearling.

With Admire Moon having more winners from his second crop than his first at this same point last year, he has a strong chance of becoming the leading second-season sire in Japan.

Yearlings by G1 winner Pyro (Pulpit) attracted the buyers’ attention on the third day. When the dust settled after the day’s most active bidding duel, the gray colt (lot 664 by Pyro and out of Good Sailer) had received a final bid of 20 million yen to become the second highest-priced yearling on the third day.

Deep Sky’s first crop of yearlings was also highly valued. On the first day, all three of his yearlings were sold, including lot 191 Hot Mambo ’11, who was knocked down for 10 million yen.

On the final day, Deep Sky had the highest priced yearling with Best of Chance ’11 selling for 15 million yen. In total, nine of the ten Deep Sky listed yearlings were sold over the five-day sale.