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As scion born into horse racing royalty, as the third son of Haruya Yoshida and grandson of famed Zenya Yoshida. Masashi Yoshida spent his summer vacations at Shadai Farm and Northern Horse Park while growing up in Tokyo. Those cherished experiences followed by Yoshida’s first Thoroughbred sale in California had a huge impact on his life, which led to him thinking about his career as a horseman.
After graduating from Keio University in 2004, Yoshida joined Oiwake Farm and has continued his grandfather’s legacy taking Oiwake to greater and greater strengths.
Masashi Yoshida talks to The Impact about Oiwake Farm’s exclusive draft for the upcoming select sale.
Q：Oiwake Farm has a very impressive draft for the upcoming select sale. Could tell us more about your top 5 yearlings and what makes them special?
A: We have 10 yearlings going into the sale. It is hard to single out just 5, but I will try my best.
Q：Please tell us more about the very special Deep Impact × Watsdachances filly (Hip#52) consigned by Oiwake.
A：As you may know she is one of the Deep Impact’s last crop. Her dam, Watsdachences won the Beverly D. Stakes（Gr.1）in 2015 and we got her at the Fasig-Tipson November Sale that year. She had been covered by Deep Impact for three consecutive years and the filly was born as her 3rd foal. The yearling is healthy both physically and mentally and a very sharp looking filly with a wonderful temperament. Her flexibility, which seems to be inherited from Deep Impact, is worthy of special mention.
Q：As the owner of a family business that involves the breeding of horses at the highest level you must have immense love for horses. Which horse was/is your favourite and why?
A：It is Nikiya, the dam of black type winners in Japan including her son Gold Allure, which brought us first Gr.1 victory at the Japan Dirt Derby(Gr.1) in 2002. One of her daughters, Orient Charm, foaled a colt Persian Knight who won the Mile Championship (Gr.1) in 2017 and this meant that Nikiya produced Gr.1winners as both dam and grand-dam. It is not too much to say that she laid a firm foundation for Oiwake Farm and I deeply appreciate her contribution.
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Q：Please, tell us how this draft is curated? How did you choose the best yearlings for the Select Sale?
A：The criteria for selecting yearlings for the Select Sale is very strict. Above all, they must be well grown physically. A Black type (mare) is important as well because I believe those (mares) who fulfill both conditions must be attractive for the buyers.
Q: When you buy broodmares for your farm, what is the process and which is your preferred
sale for the process?
A：I believe black type, racing performance and appearance are very important for the process. We usually participate in the sales held by Tattersalls, Keenland and Fasig-Tipson.
Q：Where would you like to see the farm over the next ten years?
A：We would like not only to increase the number of broodmares but also to improve the quality of them. We believe horses make people and vice versa, so we have to put focus on staff training at the same time.
Q：Lastly, who inspires you and why?
A：Zenya Yoshida, the founder of the present Shadai Group. Now that it has established, but without his effort, the way of breeding thoroughbreds in Japan is not that of today. When he first went to the US in 1956, he was moved with everything he saw there because the way of breeding at that time in Japan was completely different from that was in the US. The experience motivated him to introduce their know-how into Japan and he finally made the number one breeding farm. His achievements inspire me to work harder and I admire him as one of his successors.
Q：Please, tell us how this draft is curated? How did you choose the best yearlings for the Select Sale?
A：The criteria for selecting yearlings for the Select Sale is very strict. Above all, they must be well grown physically. A Black type (mare) is important as well because I believe those (mares) who fulfill both conditions must be attractive for the buyers.
Q: When you buy broodmares for your farm, what is the process and which is your preferred sale for the process?
A：I believe black type, racing performance and appearance are very important for the process. We usually participate in the sales held by Tattersalls, Keenland and Fasig-Tipson.
Q：Where would you like to see the farm over the next ten years?
A：We would like not only to increase the number of broodmares but also to improve the quality of them. We believe horses make people and vice versa, so we have to put focus on staff training at the same time.
Q：Lastly, who inspires you and why?
A：Zenya Yoshida, the founder of the present Shadai Group. Now that it has established, but without his effort, the way of breeding thoroughbreds in Japan is not that of today. When he first went to the US in 1956, he was moved with everything he saw there because the way of breeding at that time in Japan was completely different from that was in the US. The experience motivated him to introduce their know-how into Japan and he finally made the number one breeding farm. His achievements inspire me to work harder and I admire him as one of his successors.