Australian bloodlines again proved highly sought after at the JRHA Select Sale in Hokkaido, with foals out of Group 1-winning mares Yankee Rose and Funstar commanding enormous prices.
The standout result came when a Kitasan Black colt out of dual Group 1 winner Yankee Rose sold for 410 million yen, highlighting the continued demand for elite Australian families in Japan.
Offered by Northern Farm, the colt was purchased by M’s Racing for the equivalent of approximately AU$3.64 million.
He is a half-brother to Japanese champion filly Liberty Island, a pedigree that ensured he was among the most sought-after lots of the sale.
The result represents the highest price achieved by a progeny of Yankee Rose.
The family has consistently attracted strong international demand, with a Saturnalia half-brother selling for 340 million yen last year, while a Lord Kanaloa colt realised 370 million yen in 2021.
Yankee Rose’s first foal, Romneya, also proved highly popular when selling for 210 million yen as a foal in 2019.
Another Australian Group 1-winning mare, Funstar, also featured prominently during the foal session, with her colt attracting a winning bid of 310 million yen as Japanese buyers again demonstrated their appetite for elite Australian pedigrees.
