WHILE Japanese racing and bloodstock often go against the trends dominating Europe, it seems their buyers are not immune to sire power, or the exciting prospect of new stallions. The first foals by world champion Equinox dominated the foal session at the JRHA Select Sale earlier this week and provided the top lot, a ¥580,000,000 (€3,353,560) colt, while his sire Kitasan Black provided the three highest-priced yearlings, led by a ¥420,000,000 (€2,428,440) colt.

Nebraska Racing, a young partnership made up of existing Japanese owners, purchased the top lots of each age bracket, beginning with the yearling colt. Consigned by Northern Farm, the half-brother to two stakes winners is out of Mosheen, a four-time Group 1 winner at three in her native Australia.