The HBA Autumn Sale, Japan’s last yearling sale of the year, ended on a positive note at headquarters in Shizunai last week.

Albeit starting from a low watermark, most major indices showed pleasing improvements. The first portent of an upward marked was when the catalogues were published; though initially slated as a four-day sale, it was contracted to three days due to reduced numbers, a good indication that breeders were being successful in selling bloodstock off their farms.

Many of the 703 horses offered had failed to sell at sales in Japan earlier in the year and this sale always has a remnant/bargain basement type feel to it. Nevertheless, more than 62% of lots found new homes, an improvement over last year’s corresponding statistic of 57%. Two years ago more than 50% of lots were recorded as being unsold.

The gross, despite the contraction in numbers, rose by almost 10% to ¥1,118,000,000 (€8,134,000).

The average selling price was Yen 2,822,070 (€20,500). This was the only statistic to show a reversal and a 3.3% decrease on last year was recorded though in fairness the 2013 renewal showed a 22% increase. It is interesting to note that the average at this sale is broadly similar to that at this year’s Goffs Sportsman Sale and Tattersalls Ireland September Sale

The highest selling lot was a Workforce colt out of Hokuto Pendant who Manabu Yoshitomi purchased for Yen16,848,000 (€122,000). The May-born bay is a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Venus Line in addition to another graded stakes-placed performer.

HIGHEST PRICE FILLY

The highest price filly was by French Deputy and sold for Yen 13,650,000 (€99,000).

There was a preponderance of fillies in the catalogue (reflecting the preference of buyers for colts at earlier sales) and indeed 61% of lots offered lacked the Y chromosome. Nevertheless, only 15 out of the top 50 lots sold were fillies.

This sale had traditionally being followed by a one-day foal sale. However, it was not popular with buyers and the foal sale was dispensed with this year.