Katsumi Yoshida

TOKYO, JAPAN -- In a special ceremony at Tokyo racecourse prior to the 45th running of the Japan Cup, history was made when brothers Teruya and Katsumi Yoshida became the first Japanese members of the Jockey Club. The major owner-breeders and owners respectively of Shadai Farm and Northern Farm, Teruya, 78, and Katsumi, 77, were presented with lapel badges by senior steward Baroness Dido Harding to mark their honorary membership. Baroness Harding was joined in Tokyo by Jockey Club CEO Jim Mullen, assistant racing and international director Matthew Woolston, and...

Nope. Just can't figure it out. Why on earth, at the end of another grueling sales cycle, would so many Americans scrape together the last of their resources, in energy and funds, and get on a plane for one final auction in France? Setting aside, that is, the langoustines and truffles; the calvados and cider; the designer boutiques; the Christmas lights that transform an elegant summer resort into a filmset apt for a French remake of It's A Wonderful Life; the medieval villages huddled, in the early dusk of midwinter,...

4th-Kyoto, ¥14,250,000 ($93,167), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m, 1:51.9, my. DANON BOURBON (c, 2, Maxfield--Wild Ridge, by Tapit), a $450,000 Keeneland September acquisition by Katsumi Yoshida just over a year ago, launched his career in smashing fashion, becoming the second wide-margin debut winner in Japan for his freshman sire (by Street Sense), and his 16th scorer overall. Sent off as the 22-5 third choice, the early April foal was kicked straight into the lead by Kohei Matsuyama and relaxed nicely on the engine. Still going nicely for the run around the second...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kyoto and Tokyo Racecourses: Sunday, October 26, 2025 4th-KYO, ¥14,250,000 ($93k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m DANON BOURBON (c, 2, Maxfield--Wild Ridge, by Tapit) is a half-brother to three winners, including the stakes-placed Clubhouse (Speightstown), and was a $450,000 Keeneland September purchase...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Nakayama and Hanshin Racecourses: Saturday, September 27, 2025 4th-NKY, ¥14,250,000 ($95k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m FINGER (JPN) (c, 2, Gun Runner--Estilo Talentoso, by Maclean's Music) is the first foal from his dam, a $15,000 OBS June purchase back in 2019 who...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Chukyo and Niigata Racecourses: Saturday, August 16, 2025 2nd-CKO, ¥14,250,000 ($97k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT YUTO THE INNOCENT (c, 2, Yaupon--Keira, by Unusual Heat), a $42,000 Keeneland September yearling, fetched $110,000 at this year's OBS March sale after breezing a furlong...

4th-ELP, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 2:16 p.m. ET. MARAUDER (Gun Runner) heads the gate for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. Co-owned by Winchell & Stonestreet, the colt is out of MGSW Dream Pauline (Tapit). She was bred and campaigned by Stonestreet and her own dam is MGISW Dream Rush (Wild Rush), a $3.3-million purchase by Halsey Minor during the 2007 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. Dream Pauline's immediate family includes another Stonestreet homebred, Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy) who was the 2022 Broodmare of the Year. Of course, she produced...

HOKKAIDO, Japan -- "I expected it would be lively," said Katsumi Yoshida, in what may have been the understatement of the day at the conclusion of the yearling section of the JRHA Select Sale. Even by its own lofty standards, Japan's premier sale of bloodstock managed to raise the bar higher still, with only two of the 227 yearlings to pass through the ring on Monday failing to find a buyer. A 99 per cent clearance rate would be the envy of any sales house, and with the turnover of...

HOKKAIDO, Japan -- At Northern Horse Park, one of the great tourist attractions of Hokkaido, the next few days will be all business.  Japan's most prestigious bloodstock auction, the JRHA Select Sale, springs back to action with a session of yearlings on Monday, but what many observers will be waiting to see is the reception given to the first foals of world champion Equinox.  Twenty-five of his debut crop are set to sell on Tuesday, including a colt from American champion dirt mare Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute). His reserve, which...

1st-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 12:35 p.m. ET. With the third highest return at the 2025 OBS Spring Sale, TAGERMEEN (Into Mischief) was taken home for $1.4-million by Mahmud Mouni after the colt fired a :9 4/5 during the under-tack show. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, the debuting bay is out of Silk Route (Empire Maker), who Mouni acquired for a mere $10,000 at the 2024 Keeneland November Sale. Tagermeen's extended female family includes GIII Lecomte Stakes hero Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute) and French Group 1...

2nd-KEE, $90K, Msw, 2yo, 4 1/2f, 1:32 p.m. ET. Owned by Epic Horses, EPIC DESIRE (Uncle Mo) is ready for his unveiling. Out of Brooklynsway (Giant Gizmo)--who incidently won the GIII Doubledogdare Stakes which appears later on this card--the colt is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher. Epic Desire's full-sister is MGISW Adare Manor. She was a $2.8-million purchase by Katsumi Yoshida at the Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale last year. Brooklynsway also claims current 3-year-old filly in-training Nosleeptilbrooklyn (Ghostzapper) and she foaled a filly by Curlin Feb. 9. TJCIS...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL - The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training opened Tuesday with a colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Maxfield (hip 119) leading the way when selling for $1 million to Japanese trainer Mitsu Nakauchida. The colt was consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables. At the end of the session, 117 juveniles had sold for $15,902,000 for an average of $135,915 and a median of $85,000. At the conclusion of last year's opening session, 152 head...