Sekiguchi was not active at Monday's opening session of Japan's biggest horse sale sponsored by the Japan Racing Horse Association.
Japanese horseman Teruya Yoshida has confirmed that his family's vast bloodstock operation is a minority owner of 2000 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Fusaichi Pegasus. The Yoshidas haven't sold their interest in the colt to the Irish-based Coolmore operation, which recently bought the breeding rights for the son of Mr. Prospector from majority owner Fusao Sekiguchi. Though the price has not been confirmed, Coolmore's purchase reportedly places an overall value on Fusaichi Pegasus of upwards of $70 million. Plans have been announced to stand the Derby winner at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky beginning in 2001 for an initial stud fee of up to $200,000 live foal. Yoshida said his family's Shadai Farm bought interests in approximately 20 of Sekiguchi's horses, including breeding stock, yearlings, and horses in training. He did not say what percentage of the horses Shadai owns, but it is widely believed the interest in Fusaichi Pegasus is 40%. Sekiguchi apparently sought out Yoshida when his company, Venture Safenet, developed financial difficulties last fall. “It will all be clear when the horse is retired,” Yoshida told The Blood-Horse.