Traditionally sales of thoroughbreds in Japan was done privately. This has changed in recent years with most breeders becoming more interested in the more active sales environment. The JRA provides sales incentives as part of the promotion to increase sales and sales operations in Japan.

Sales held in 2006: weanlings - 3, yearlings - 7, 2 yo's - 4.

The most common form of yearling sales are those conducted by the thoroughbred breeders' cooperatives but the JRHA (Japan Race Horse Association) Select Weanling Sales have become very popular in recent years due mainly to the quality of lots consigned in particular by the Shadai group.

Sales figures 2006

	Offered	Sold	Average colt	Average filly	Median
Weanlings	692	336	32.41m Yen (US$332,000 A$517,000)	22.85m Yen (US$235,000 A$362,000)	18.53m Yen (US$190,000 A$293,000)
Yearlings	2,303	880	10.87m Yen (US$110,000 A$169,000)	4.79m Yen (US$49,000 A$75,000)	4.31m Yen (US$44,000 A$68,000)
2 yo's	368	217	7.88m Yen (US$80,000 A$123,000)	5.14m Yen (US$52,000 A$80,000)	5.2m Yen (US$53,000 A$82,000)

Approx. $ figures at Nov. 08 ex. rates