Auguste Rodin colt sells for NZ$930,000 in Japan 

A colt from the first northern hemisphere crop of champion racehorse Auguste Rodin has been purchased by Mr Kaneko for ¥88 million, (NZ$930,000) surpassing the price he paid for the colt’s grandsire, Deep Impact.

Before becoming one of the world's greatest stallions, Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) was purchased as a foal by Mr Kaneko for ¥70 million. He went on to become a world-class racehorse and a breed-shaping sire, leaving a legacy of 209 stakes winners, including 59 individual Group 1 winners.

This striking colt by August Rodin, who looks like his sire, is out of Lake Illawarra, a winning mare by Australia (Galileo) who scored over seven furlongs and is from the Storm Cat mare Dietrich.

With glowing reports already emerging for his foals in the Northern Hemisphere and now in Japan, Auguste Rodin continues to generate significant international interest.
 

A six-time Group 1 winner at two, three and four, Auguste Rodin captured some of the world's most prestigious races, including The Derby, Irish Derby, Breeders' Cup Turf, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Futurity Trophy and Irish Champion Stakes. Among the finest-bred horses ever to stand in New Zealand, he combines an outstanding race record with an exceptional pedigree.

The son of Deep Impact, he is out of the triple Group 1-winning Rhododendron, a full sister to champion mare Magical. His second dam is the triple Group 1 winner Halfway To Heaven, while his third dam is the King's Stand Stakes winner at Royal Ascot over 5 furlongs, Cassandra Go - making him one of the most accomplished pedigrees in the Stud Book.

Auguste Rodin is eagerly anticipated ahead of his return next month from Coolmore Ireland, where he has been covering another outstanding book of mares. We are also excited to welcome his first Southern Hemisphere foals this spring.

Following a first-season book of 160 mares in New Zealand last year, Auguste Rodin is again expected to attract a high-quality book in 2026.

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