As if there wasn't enough to get excited about in Japan racing and breeding right now, the upcoming Japan Racing Horse Association Select Sale is scheduled to offer three weanlings from the first crop of Flightline.
After capping an undefeated career with a record 8 1/4-length victory in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), Flightline nailed down the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year. The weanlings are from the first crop of Flightline, a son of multiple leading sire Tapit who stands for $150,000 at Lane's End near Versailles, Ky.
The Flightline foals, all colts, cataloged to the sale include:
Hip 347, born Feb. 23, out of Argentina champion and Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) winner Blue Stripe, a daughter of Equal Stripes who closed out her career with a runner-up finish in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), then sold to Narvick International for $4 million at The November Sale, Fasig-Tipton Kentucky's auction of selected breeding stock. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
Hip 419, born Feb. 13, out of Tan Gritona, a daughter of Full Mast who earned champion 2-year-old filly honors in Argentina after a pair of group 1 victories there.
Hip 436, born March 4, out of Grace Adler, a daughter of Curlin who at age 2 captured the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) in 2021. Narvick International went to $2 million to purchase Grace Adler at The November Sale, where she was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent.
The auction also includes 13 yearlings and 19 foals by Kitasan Black, sire of 2023 World's Best Racehorse Equinox, plus seven yearlings and five foals by Real Steel, sire of UAE Derby (G2) and Saudi Derby (G3) winner Forever Young, who raced courageously in finishing third in this year's Kentucky Derby (G1).