A high-profile colt with deep Australian bloodlines made headlines at the JRHA Select Sale on Monday, as the half-brother to late Japanese superstar filly Liberty Island fetched an eye-watering 310 million yen (A$3.2 million).
The colt, by Saturnalia out of Australian Group 1-winning mare Yankee Rose, was snapped up by leading buyer Danox. Yankee Rose, a dual Group 1 winner in Australia, has now produced six foals, with this latest yearling following fillies by Kizuna and Contrail that were retained by Northern Farm.
Liberty Island, a daughter of Yankee Rose, claimed three Group 1 races in Japan before tragically breaking down in last year’s QEII Cup in Hong Kong, where she was later euthanised.
Also creating waves at the sale was a striking colt by Japanese superstar Kitasan Black out of elite Australian mare Mosheen. The youngster brought the top price of the session, selling for 420 million yen (A$4.34 million) to Nebraska Racing.
Mosheen, a multiple Group 1 winner in Australia including the VRC Oaks and Australian Guineas, has already produced two stakes winners in Japan: Primo Scene and Danon Ayres Rock. The latter previously topped the same JRHA sale in 2022 at 495 million yen.
These remarkable sales once again underline the global demand for Australian bloodstock and their ongoing influence in Japan’s elite racing scene.
To bet on future stars like these, explore the best options with Australia’s leading betting sites for racing.
