180,000,000 Yen for American Pharoah Colt

The first yearlings by US Horse of the Year American Pharoah are expected to light up sale rings in North America this year and already the Triple Crown hero has made his mark in Japan with a stunning colt from Crisp fetching 180,000,000 yen (US$1.6 million) at the JRHA Select Yearling Sale in Hokkaido earlier this week.

Consigned by Northern Farm, the powerful bay colt was the subject of keen bidding and was purchased by Masahiro Noda’s Danox Ltd.

“He is a really nice individual,” said Noda. “Being honest we can’t yet say if American Pharoah’s progeny will be particularly suited to racing in Japan, but with this colt’s pedigree he can probably race anywhere in the world.”

The star colt is from Grade I Santa Anita Oaks winner Crisp, who was bought from the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $350,000 when in foal to American Pharoah.

The first Australian bred foals by American Pharoah are due in the Southern Hemisphere next month.