A total of 1,265 yearlings bred in Japan are catalogued for the Hidaka Breeders Association’s summer sale, which begins on August 19.

While the sale has been held over five days in previous years, this year the HBA decided to extend it to six days due to the increased number of registrations. The sale will be held in Shizunai on the island of Hokkaido.

American Patriot Winner of the 2017 Maker’s 46 Mile Stakes (G1T), who has been competing at Darley Japan since 2018, has sent the most yearlings of all stallions to the sale with 42. One of them, Hip 984, is a colt out of Grace Nico. His second dam, Delmonico cat won the 2004 Honey Fox Handicap (G3T) and was purchased by Shadai Farm at the 2006 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $450,000.

Kitasan Black leading sire at the Japan Racing Horse Association Select Sale in July, is represented by three yearlings, including Hip 965, a colt by Outsmart. Cute tricky dancer the colt’s second dam, won the Tropical Park Oaks in 2003 and the Hollywood Wildcat Stakes in 2022.

Hip 349, a American Pharaoh Colt, is one of two yearlings of the American stallion in the catalogue and the first foal of the European winner Sunset Kiss .

HBA Summer Sale graduates perform well. National Association of Racing’s 2023 Horse of the Year Igniter and Champion 3-year-old colt Mick Fire were both purchased at the summer sale, as was Tulip Sho (G2) winner Sweep Feet.