Leading Japanese breeder Katsumi Yoshida continued to plunder the North American market on Day 1 of the Keeneland January Sale on Monday.

Yoshida led the opening session with a bid of $1.40 million for Topliner.  The 10 year-old Thunder Gulch mare is the dam of last year’s G1 Matriarch Stakes winner Star Billing (Dynaformer).  She was sold in foal to Medaglia d’Oro.

The Yoshida family dominated the top end of the 2011 Keeneland January Sale with three of the four highest-priced horses.  Their most expensive buy was G1 winning Danehill Dancer mare Ave for $1.40 million.

Last year was a busy one in the market place for Katsumi Yoshida and his brother Teruya.  Together, they also bought Arc de Triomphe winner Danedream, Champion Chilean mare Belle Watling and Argentine G1 winner Balada Sale.

They finished 2011 buying four lots for 2.79 million guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale.  Top of the list was Reve d’Iman (Highest Honor) at 1.70 million guineas.  

Day 1 figures for North America’s first major auction of the year saw a 16% rise in average to $66,661.  The clearance rate improved 8 points to 73%.  “It was a good, solid start to the sale,” Keeneland’s vice president Walt Robertson said.  “We hope the momentum continues.”

Group 2 winner Spice Island (Tabasco Cat) was second on the leader board at $775,000.  She is the dam of last year’s G1 Florida Derby winner and G1 Kentucky Derby runner-up Ice Box.  The mare is in foal to Tapit.

The Keeneland January Sale runs over four session until Thursday, January 12.