Also representing the Hall of Famer is Repole Stable and St Elias Stable's STORM READY (City of Light), a $1.05 million Keeneland September buy. The half to GSW Biddy Duke (Bayern) posted his latest breeze at Palm Beach Downs Jan. 31, covering five panels in 1:00 3/5 (1/2). The colts will be partnered by the Ortiz brothers, the former by Jose and the latter by Irad. TJCIS PPS

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14.23 ParisLongchamp, Mdn, €50,000, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT
Pascal Bary trainee LADY INVINCIBLE (FR) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is the second of three foals out of a half-sister to MG1SW sire Shamardal (Giant's Causeway). The May-foaled bay is a €300,000 Arqana August graduate, whose year-younger half-brother by Siyouni (Fr) was the highest-priced colt when knocked down for €2.2 million at this month's renewal of that sale. Eight-strong opposition includes Al Shaqab Racing's homebred Silham (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is kin to two stakes performers out of GI Madison S. heroine Shotgun Gulch (Gulch), representing the Jean-Claude Rouget stable; and His Highness The Aga Khan's Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), who is a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained daughter of MGSW G1 Prix Vermeille second Candarliya (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}).

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DEAUVILLE, France–It was the bloodstock sales equivalent of a mic drop: two lots, five minutes, €3 million. Boom.

Coomore has long nurtured its partnerships, and with Peter Brant, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Georg von Opel's Westerberg, the Magnier-led operation has enjoyed plentiful success. Most notably this season that has come with Paddington (GB), a multiple Group 1-winning son of Siyouni (Fr) bred by Dayton Investments at Ecurie des Monceaux, and it was to that nursery that the team turned again, signing for the day's top lot [244], also by Siyouni, for €2.2 million.

The names of MV Magnier and Brant's White Birch Farm were on the ticket, just as they were for the previous colt [243], a son of Wootton Bassett (GB) whose yearlings on offer this season are from the first crop conceived in Ireland since the stallion's purchase by Coolmore. 

Those two sires, Siyouni and Wootton Bassett, have formed the cornerstone of the French stallion ranks in recent years, backed up by the late Le Havre (Ire) and Kendargent (Fr), and even with Wootton Bassett no longer in the country, his stock is still high in Deauville. A batch of 24 of his yearlings went through the ring over the last three days for an average of €349,375, led by the €800,000 colt from Monceaux out of the American Pharoah mare Holy Roman Empress (Ire), herself a winning daughter of the G1 Phoenix S. winner Damson (Ire) (Entrepreneur).

The Siyouni colt, meanwhile, is out of Hourglass (Ire), a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to Shamardal. Both colts were bred by China Horse Club from mares bred by Coolmore and associates.

“They're two very nice horses and, interestingly enough, we actually sold the two dams a couple of years ago,” said Magnier. “We've come back and bought the progeny because China Horse Club are very good breeders and Monceaux are an incredible farm. They do a very good job raising horses and we're lucky to get the two of them. They'll both go to Ballydoyle.”

Ecurie des Monceaux has held the title of leading consignor at the August Sale since 2012 and it was once again on top, with 35 yearlings sold for a total of €15,180,000.

Monceaux's Henri Bozo said, “It's been a very good sale. As it has got going it has gone from strength to strength and to have sold those two big horses to Coolmore is a great proof of trust from them to us. The Siyouni colt is a lovely horse with the magic cross, he's magnificent, a good mover, and there is plenty to come physically.”

He continued, “I think that we saw from the beginning of the showing days that there were more and more people. A lot of principals were looking at the horses and enjoying the sale and everybody was confident.”

Bozo and some of his partners were also involved in one of the Group 1 contests on the racecourse at Deauville earlier in the day when their Ramatuelle (Justify) was collared close home to finish second by a head in the G1 Sumbe Prix Morny.

“I got too excited too early and I thought she was going to win,” he said. “She's so tough, she's amazing.”

Ramatuelle will be a valued addition to the Monceaux broodmare band in due course, but first we may see her travel to Newmarket for the G1 Cheveley Park S.

Talking Points

• All credit to Arqana, this year's August Sale didn't miss a beat. The aggregate was up 15.41% to €56,949,000 while the average climbed 10.7% to 232,445. Along with that, the clearance rate was a healthy 86%, up 4% on last year. In short, it was an excellent, record-breaking sale. 
• Plenty of attendees at the sale remarked upon the importance of the presence of some of the heads of major global racing and breeding operations in Deauville, and it may well have been a contributing factor to an incredibly buoyant market at Arqana. Godolphin, Coolmore, and a rejuvenated Al Shaqab filled the top three buyers' slots.
• For the twelfth year in a row, Ecurie des Monceaux was the leading August vendor, selling 45 yearlings at and average of €451, 714, but it was also a terrific sale for Nicolas de Chambure and his team, who sold the top lot, the Dubawi half-sister to Bucanero Fuerte (Fr), for €2.4 million along with 14 other yearlings for a total average price of €340,895.
• Siyouni has long been the stallion king of France and, with Mqse De Sevigne (Fr) winning her second Group 1 in three weeks across the road just before the start of the final session, and the scintillating prospect of Paddington (GB) running in Tuesday's G1 Juddmonte International, the stock of the Aga Khan Studs' star resident really couldn't be higher. At Arqana over the last three days, 15 of his yearlings sold for a total of €6,950,000, putting him behind only Dubawi (Ire) and Frankel (GB) on the sale's sires' table.
• Freshman sires featured prominently, with Ghaiyyath's €455,000 average for three sold giving him bragging rights, but it was also a notable debut for Haras d'Etreham's Hello Youmzain, whose stock drew many favourable comments and who ended the sale with 19 sold at and average of €128,789. His initial stud fee was €25,000.

Coulonces Back in Spotlight With Another Japanese Buyer

On Saturday Anna Sundstrom sold a homebred Sottsass (Fr) colt to Mitsu Nakauchida for 525,000gns, and a day later another Japanese trainer, Yoshito Yahagi, also found favour with Sundstrom's Coulonces Sales draft. He selected a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of the G3 Prix Miesque winner Magic America (High Yield) for €1,000,000.

“I was interested in buying a yearling by Wootton Bassett, as I think he has the ability to succeed in Japan as a sire,” said the trainer who has launched successful international raids on the Breeders' Cup and Saudi Cup. “I have been here all three days, and my impression is that this is a very strong market. I was on my final bid for this colt.”

Last year, Yahagi was responsible for buying the sale's top lot, a €2.1 million brother to the Arc winner Sottsass (Fr). This time he signed for two yearlings, including a first-crop son of the 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko for €140,000.

The Tweenhills stallion has made a rock-solid start, but far more interesting than the fact the Kameko posted an impressive €177,500 average for four yearlings sold were the buyers of his sons and daughters. The Hong Kong Jockey Club snapped up a colt by Kameko on Friday for €310,000 and, along with  Yahagi, French trainer Yann Barberot also featured on the list of buyers. 

Speaking about the strong start from the £15,000 sire, David Redvers of Tweenhills said, “Delighted. It's been a great start. There is a mixture of happiness and sadness because, when a horse is sold abroad, it lessens the exposure for the stallion at home. But, wherever he does well, it will be a good thing. I think we have some really exciting yearlings to come. The ones I have seen tend to be really sharp-looking. If they are out of a fast mare, he seems to be putting that strength into them. With the Roaring Lions, I rarely saw one that didn't look as though it would need at least 10 furlongs at three.”

He added, “With the Kamekos, we certainly have one going to Book 1 and he is out of a very fast mare and looks very sharp. He could be his first two-year-old runner. Sheikh Fahad wants to expose Kameko to the market so he is selling some of his nice ones.”

A Siyouni for Restrepo and JR Ranch

“We've waited three days for this filly,” said Ramiro Restrepo after signing for lot 279, a Monceaux-bred Siyouni daughter of the unraced Lucerne (GB), a Frankel (GB) half-sister to the treble Group 1-winning miler Charm Spirit (Ire).

At €700,000, she was another significant purchase in Europe by the American-based JR Ranch, who gave £250,000 for Ocean Vision (Ire) (US Navy Flag) at the Goffs London Sale in June. 

Restrepo, who acts as Marquee Bloodstock, continued, “She is going to be a cornerstone, hopefully a foundation mare down the line for us. We bought Ocean Vision for the same partner, JR Ranch. He has a lot of passion for Thoroughbred racing and this filly has it all: temperament, class, physique, beautiful pedigree. She's out of a Frankel mare who is a half to Charm Spirit, a major Group 1 winner, and Dream And Do is in the family, who is one of Siyouni's Group 1 winners.”

Restrepo added that the filly will be the first to race in France for JR Ranch and that she will be trained in Chantilly by Tim Donworth, who previously trained Ocean Vision.

He said, “I have known Tim since he was on the Flying Start course. We bought Ocean Vision, who was one of the nicest horses in his yard. He brought the horse over to America for the Grade II and our partner was super-impressed with how he handled himself and the love that he showed for the horse, so it was only right to replace one in his barn.”

Stroud: 'It Has Been Great To Get The Principals Here'

Just a few hours after his Craven Breeze-Up purchase Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) confirmed himself one of the best two-year-olds in Europe when storming to G1 Prix Morny glory for KHK Racing Ltd, Anthony Stroud rounded off a weekend to remember by signing for a Camelot (GB) colt with “a stallion's pedigree” on behalf of Godolphin for €850,000.

Purchased from Gestüt Ammerland, the Camelot colt brought Godolphin's total spend at Arqana over the past few days to €5,350,000 across 10 yearlings, which made the operation the leading buyers at this year's sale.

“Very nice horse from Gestüt Ammerland,” Stroud said of lot 267. “We bought the half-brother [a Shamardal colt for €1.6m] here last year and we like him. This colt obviously has a stallion's pedigree and the team thought he was one of the picks of the sale. He's a nice staying horse.”

Stroud added, “I think it has been a good sale. The main thing is that it has been great to get the principals here like John Magner, Sheikh Mohammed, Al Shaqab, Amo Racing and now Wathnan Racing. There are many more and you couldn't come to a nicer place than Deauville for a sale, could you?”

Not only was this year's August Sale a hugely successful one for Godolphin with a view towards the number of high-class yearlings added to the system, but the performance of the Darley stallion roster was something that gave the team a lot of satisfaction. 

Dubawi was out on his own as the leading stallion at the sale with seven yearlings selling for €5,690,000 but his sons Night Of Thunder (Ire) and freshman Ghaiyyath (Ire) enjoyed some time in the limelight, with Godolphin snapping up all three offerings by the latter to the tune of €1,365,000.

Stroud commented, “We all have great faith in Ghaiyyath, including the boss, and the three that were here were a really good representation of the stallion. We've great faith in him so we will see what happens. We're very happy going forward.”

'We're Back': Al Shaqab Make A Statement With €3.5m Spend 

The smile on Benoit Jeffroy's face said it all after Al Shaqab signed for the ninth yearling purchased at this year's August Sale, a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Haras du Mont dit Mont for €575,000, which helped bring the total spend for the operation made famous by Treve (Fr) to €4,135,000.

“It's great to be back,” Jeffroy beamed, as Al Shaqab set the foundations of a rebuilding process at Arqana over the past three days that saw the operation sign for yearlings by some of the most sought after stallions in the world, including Siyouni, Kingman and No Nay Never.

Jeffroy said, “Listen, it has been good to be investing in these yearlings and nice to get some yearlings that we liked and into fillies and new families. We have really enjoyed going around selecting them with Sheikh Joaan, who has been really involved throughout the past week and was here. He said, 'Let's go and find some nice horses for next year,'. Hopefully we have found some good ones.”

Elaborating on the reasoning behind the strongest spend at a yearling auction for many years by the operation, he said, “We spoke in May about trying to regroup and select more with a view towards the broodmare band. It's very tough to breed the [good] horses. We have 60 mares now compared to the big operations that have a lot more mares and access to all of the big stallions. “We just thought that we would stay a little more selective on the breeding side of things and to try and buy some more nice horses at the sales. That's the plan.”

That's not to say that it was all plain sailing. The strength of the market in Deauville meant that even the reinvigorated Al Shaqab operation struggled to land every punch but emerged from the 12 rounds at Arqana in better shape than it began. 

“First day was good but the second day we got beaten quite a few times. Today, we got beaten twice, but got one we really liked–the Wootton Bassett. It's been a really good market and, to be honest, the guys at Arqana have done a great job. There have been a lot of horses with good physicals and good pedigrees and we are lucky to have bought nine now.”

He added, “Last year we bought six or seven horses at Book 2, including Baheer (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who is quite exciting for Richard Hannon. We also bought some horses here in Deauville but not to this level. That's why I said to Sheikh Joaan, it's good to keep going with higher quality and the horses by the big stallions because, if you want to keep a mare, it's good to have one by a big stallion. Also, if you become a good racehorse and stallion, you want to be by a good sire. We are just trying to upgrade.”

Al Shaqab went on to sign for another Wootton Bassett for €675,000, elevating the spend beyond €4m. Interestingly, Amo Racing bought in to lot 235, the Wootton Bassett who colt €575,000, later on in the day. That represents a new partnership.

As well as recruiting runners for next year and beyond, Al Shaqab offered prospective buyers the first glimpse of progeny by the Haras de Bouquetot-based stallions Wooded (Ire) and Romanised (Ire), and Jeffroy described himself as pleased by the start the freshman sires have made.

He said, “Wooded has been very well received. His first yearling made €140,000. Personally, I find him quite exciting. They have great depth and are nice horses. I think we will see more from him in October and we are also pleased with Romanised. 

“We stand him on behalf of Mr Ho and the filly was very well sold here on Saturday. Romanised has some nice yearlings selling at V.2 so we are happy. Yes, they are on the cheaper side, but who knows? They might be the ones.”

Buy of the Day

Lot 255, B, C, Zarak (Fr) – (Just Sherry (Ire) (Intense Focus)
Vendor: Haras du Cadran
Buyer: Godolphin
Price: €175,000

It is almost cheating when selecting a horse who cost €175,000 as the buy of the day but, given that figure was over €50,000 below the average of this year's sale, it is probably fair to include the Zarak (Fr) colt [lot 255] who was snapped up by Godolphin. 

Zarak needs no introduction for a start, and this good-walking son of his, consigned by top breeder Haras du Cadran, boasted a lot of likeable attributes. Such a statement is backed up by the fact an operation the size of Godolphin felt they couldn't leave him behind at the money. 

He is out of Just Sherry (Ire) (Intense Focus), a dual listed winner in France, who hails from the family of the 2,000 Guineas winner Cockney Rebel (Ire).

A nice athletic colt, he looks one who will benefit with a bit of time under his belt and he'll certainly get every opportunity to fulfill his potential. 

Away from the Zarak, lot 294, a filly by The Grey Gatsby (Ire), caught the eye in selling to Dan Astbury for €82,000. She is a big girl, but has a walk to match and carries herself. 

The Grey Gatsby is an intriguing sire and this filly of Anna Sundstrom's [Coulonces] draft was a nice model and is one to look out for in time.

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DEAUVILLE, France–In the week that it was confirmed that Diane Wildenstein's breeding operation Dayton Investments has been sold to the Wertheimer brothers, a Dubawi (Ire) yearling from one of the most recognisable Wildenstein families became the first seven-figure yearling in Europe this season.

When there are yearlings by Darley's flagship stallion on the market, it is often a safe bet that Sheikh Mohammed will be interested. With the Ruler of Dubai in attendance in Deauville, the day's top lot (21) was duly sold to Godolphin for €1.25 million, with the sheikh's agent Anthony Stroud at the helm for the bidding. 

The colt was bred by the partnership of Ecurie des Monceaux, David Redvers, Langlais Bloodstock and Beauregard Bloodstock, who bought his dam Pretty Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) as a three-year-old for €150,000. Though she was placed just once in her brief racing career, she is a three-parts-sister to the treble Group 1 winner Persian King (Ire), who is himself represented by his first yearlings this season. Pretty Spirit and Persian King represent five generations of Wildenstein breeding and a dynasty which includes Horse of the Year Pawneese (GB), Arc winner Peintre Celebre, and more recently the champion stayer Stradivarius (Ire).

The hammer comes down at €1,250,000 for lot 2 1 , a son of #Dubawi @DarleyEurope as @godolphin buys the beautiful colt offered by @EcurieMonceaux at the #AugustYearlingSale! pic.twitter.com/8dCB4Hgf4L

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Five of the seven Dubawi yearlings in the sale were offered within the first 39 lots on Friday and all were consigned by Monceaux. Godolphin also bought lot 17, a colt out of the G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Pollara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) from Monceaux for €550,000, while David Redvers went to €400,000 for the grandson of another Group 3 winner, Pacifique (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) (lot 27). After the session ended, Redvers also privately acquired lot 5, a son of Group 3 winner Paix (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) herself a daughter of Pacifique, for €500,000. The final one to be sold during the session proper, at €390,000 to Hubie de Burgh, was the filly out of the Lope De Vega (Ire) mare Right Hand (GB) (lot 39). The Wertheimer-bred dam's half-sister Left Hand (GB) is one of Dubawi's many Group 1 winners and is the dam of this season's G3 Prix de Psyche runner-up Left Sea (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

. @godolphin goes to €550,000 to buy lot 1 7 , a son by #Dubawi @DarleyEurope consigned by @EcurieMonceaux at the #AugustYearlingSale. pic.twitter.com/rtVtgubTGO

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Talking Points

• A number of key industry figures have jetted in to Deauville for the first major yearling sale of the year in Europe. Sheikh Mohammed, John and Sue Magnier, Sheikh Joaan Al Thani and Kia Joorabchian are all in attendance, along with a number of owners from Bahrain, America and beyond. The many trainers on site include Aidan O'Brien and Yoshito Yahagi.
• As is so often the case with sales, the opening session felt a tad shaky to begin with but it soon hit its stride. The day ended with 101 sold (seven fewer than last year) for an improved clearance rate of 85.6%. At €230,842, the average was up by 29%, and the aggregate was also up, by 20% at €23,315,000.
• Wootton Bassett (GB) may have left the French stallion ranks but he has not been forgotten. Eleven members of his first Irish-conceived crop were sold in Deauville on Friday for an average of €338,182 from his 2021 fee of €100,000.
• Pinatubo was another first-season sire to make a good start with his yearlings. The first lot into the ring was a filly from La Motteraye by the Darley-based stallion and she set the tone for a hot sale when selling to Louis Dubois on behalf of Wesley Ward for €250,000. All told, Pinatubo had four yearlings sell for €960,000 at an average of €240,000 on Friday.
• Of the freshman sires on show at Arqana, Sottsass (Fr) also made a positive start, with five sold at an average of €142,400. Earthlight (Ire) had just one go through the ring, and Elevage de Tourgeville's filly (lot 101) from the family of Oaks winner Soul Sister (GB) fetched €160,000, sold to Blandford Bloodstock.
• Five members of the first crop of Hello Youmzain (Fr) were offered on Friday, and all sold at an average price of €127,000. These were led by Haras de la Perelle's filly out of the Listed winner Testa (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) (lot 94) who was bought by Peter Kavanagh of Kildaragh Stud for €210,000. It is a family that Kavanagh knows well, as her third dam is Mahalia (Ire) (Danehill), a smart runner and influential broodmare for Gerry Oldam of Citadel Stud.
• The sole Kameko yearling on the opening day of the August Sale will be off to Hong Kong eventually, having been bought by Mick Kinane on behalf of the HKJC for €310,000. Lot 42 is a half-brother to the dual Listed winner Buckaroo (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Ire}) out of the stakes-winning Galileo (Ire) mare Roheryn (Ire).

Coolmore Make Statement With €720k Wootton Bassett Colt

Wootton Bassett has gone some way in justifying Coolmore Stud's faith in him with River Tiber (Ire) winning the G2 Coventry S. for Aidan O'Brien and Bucanero Fuerte (GB) landing the G1 Phoenix S. for Amo Racing this year alone. 

The results on the racetrack carried over into the sales ring on Friday with Coolmore, from which John and Sue Magnier and their son MV were present at the back of the auditorium, going to €720,000 to secure Monceaux's (lot 118) colt by the stallion.

MV Magnier said, “He is a very nice Wootton Bassett and everybody knows that Monceaux does a brilliant job. Listen, he's a very nice horse and thankfully Wootton Bassett is absolutely flying at the moment.”

He added, “It was [a big commitment to bring Wootton Bassett to Coolmore Stud] and, thankfully, it looks like he has worked out. He keeps improving our stock and there are some very good two-year-olds by him. The future is going to be very bright for him.”

Coolmore's RIver Tiber could harden his reputation as a top-notch two-year-old in Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Morny at Deauville, however, according to Magnier, the colt could struggle to maintain his unbeaten record after suffering an interrupted prep for the race. 

He explained, “Aidan will hopefully run River Tiber on Sunday but he missed a week two weeks ago so he is a little bit worried about how fit he is coming into the race. Hopefully, if he does run, he can run well.”

Asked about the market, Magnier added, “It's been good and Arqana does a great job in getting everybody here from America, Japan, the Middle East, Australia, Ireland, England and Europe.”

Lot 1 1 8 was sold to MV Magnier & @WhiteBirchFarm_ for €720,000 at the #AugustSale. The colt by #WoottonBassett @coolmorestud was consigned by @EcurieMonceaux. pic.twitter.com/sZLg66wNPd

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Widespread Praise For Wootton Bassett 

Wootton Bassett's popularity was borne out in the results throughout the day with top American owners snapping up an expensive colt by him, respected bloodstock agent Richard Brown declaring his love for the stallion and even Godolphin shelling out €320,000 for a colt by him. 

His first yearlings from his debut year at Coolmore Stud sold well, with 11 going for an average which was more than three times his 2021 fee of €100,000. 

One of the picks was a filly (lot 33) consigned by Haras d'Etreham, and she made her way to the Bregman Family in America for €550,000. The Bregman Family are perhaps best known in Europe for being the owners of classy juvenile No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never) and are represented by bloodstock agent Mike Akers.

After signing for the most expensive filly by Wootton Bassett on the day, Akers said, “Lovely filly, very well prepped from a breeder who has been producing nice horses for a long, long time. I bought her for Alex Bregman of the Bregman Family Racing LLC. Alex is racing some nice fillies and hopes to be a significant breeder here and in the US in the future. We are very happy with what we have bought.”

Lot 3 3 , a filly by #WoottonBassett @coolmorestud was bought by Bregman Family for €550,000 at the #AugustYearlingSale. She was offered by @Haras_d_Etreham. pic.twitter.com/FjzPcotmIU

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Blandford Bloodstock's Richard Brown may not have been able to confirm who his Wootton Bassett filly would be racing for but didn't hold back in his praise for the stallion when going to €410,000 to secure lot 82 from Ballylinch Stud. 

Out of a winning Oasis Dream (GB) half-sister to Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), Brown's purchase hails from a strong Wertheimer family and had the looks to match. 

Brown said, “I love the stallion and, obviously, he's having an incredible year. It's a very good pedigree and she comes from an exceptional nursery. Historically, I haven't bought a huge amount of horses from Ballylinch but it hasn't been from a lack of trying. They are a world-class nursery and do an exceptional job. Her dam is a sister to a very good filly [Silasol] and physically, I thought she was right up there with the best fillies that I have seen here. There is a very good selection of horses here. I had to stretch to get her but I am delighted to have got her.”

He added, “It looks like Wootton Bassett is going to go from strength to strength. He's one of the leading sires around so you have to take him very seriously.”

Godolphin added a Wootton Bassett to their roster in the shape of lot 6, a filly consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux who hails from the family of the brilliant Peeping Fawn (Danehill), for €320,000. 

Saint Pair's Frankel Plays Starring Role

Richard Brown was back in action later in the session but remained tight-lipped about the client on whose behalf he bid €950,000 on the colt by Frankel (GB) out of Via Pisa (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) (lot 111). 

From the signature family of Andreas Putsch's Haras de Saint Pair, the 11-year-old dam was herself a Listed winner whose dam and granddam Via Medici (Ire) and Via Milano (Fr) are both Group 3 winners. The family also includes the Japan-based stallion and Grade 1-winning miler Admire Mars (Jpn). Via Pisa's first foal, a brother to this colt, is the treble winner and Listed-placed Green Fly (Fr).

“Once you have these families it's great but of course we didn't expect that,” said Putsch. “We had fantastic vibes all through the presentation days. We were busier than ever and the amount of high-rollers looking at the horses was tremendous. I'm really very impressed.”

He added, “Today we had a rocky start and we bought back the first filly but then it got stronger and I expect it to be strong tomorrow.”

€950,000 from @BlandfordBldstk secures lot 1 1 1 , a son by Classic winner Frankel?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Frankel @JuddmonteFarms out of Listed and Gr.1-placed performer VIA PISA consigned by @saint_pair at the #AugustSale. pic.twitter.com/GQUGBtkAnG

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Force Behind Amo Racing Ahead Of Prix Morny

Less than a week after recording a Group 1 breakthrough at the Curragh when Arqana August graduate Bucanero Fuerte (GB) landed the Phoenix S., Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing was once again flexing his muscles in the sales ring.

Things could get even better for the Amo team on Sunday when, just a few hundred yards across the road at Deauville racecourse, the operation's Royal Ascot winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) will bid for Group 1 honours of his own in the Prix Morny. 

Those are the stars of today but Joorabchian was busy recruiting next year's two-year-olds at Arqana alongside Robson Aguiar, who said he hopes lot 112, a Kodiac (GB) filly from Etreham who cost €430,000, is as nice as she looks.

“She will be for racing and, if she goes as nicely as she looks, I think she could be a very nice racehorse,” he said. “I have worked with a lot of Kodiacs and she looks like a good one.”

Reflecting on the fine run Amo Racing is enjoying, Aguiar added, “We try to buy a good horse. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. At the moment, it's working.”

Offered by @Haras_d_Etreham, lot 1 1 2 by #Kodiac @HoStud brought the hammer down at €430,000 in favor of Robson Aguiar at the #AugustSale. pic.twitter.com/qSekYLV6pf

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Knight Snaps Up Sottsass Filly For New Saudi Investors

The first yearlings to sell by the Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) went down well with five selling for an average of €142,400, headed by the €300,000 daughter of prolific producer Shermeen, who was bought by Richard Knight on behalf of new Saudi investors. 

Knight described himself a big fan of Coolmore Stud's Sottsass, who stands for a fee of €25,000, and labelled lot 66 as his favourite offering by the stallion in the entire sale. 

Knight said, “I thought she was a very athletic filly and is a daughter of Sottsass and, from what I have seen from the stallion, she was my pick. The dam has been a very good broodmare and she has been bought for a new Saudi operation called Salhia Stud and she'll go back to the UK where she will be trained.”

Shermeen was multiple Group-placed herself before producing seven individual winners, including three black-type performers, the best of which was David Wachman's G1 Phoenix S. winner Sudirman (Henrythenavigator).

There could be even more from the progeny of Sottsass at the August Sale as lot 183, a colt who sells under the Coulonces banner on Saturday, has been tipped by many of the top judges to be one who could command a pretty penny.

Rose Blooms Just In Time

John O'Connor is not known for his timekeeping, but he is certainly widely regarded as one of best operators in the business, both in his role at the head of Ballylinch Stud and as a breeder in his own right. A crucial update may have been last-minute for lot 121, the Lope De Vega (Ire) filly he bred from Xaarienne (GB) (Xaar {GB}), but it could not have been more emphatic as it came right under the noses of those in town for the sale when the filly's year-older sister made an explosive debut in the Arqana Series des Pouliches at Deauville on Thursday evening.

Named Rose Bloom (Ire) and running in the colours of the China Horse Club she was however only enhancing an already strong family. Other half-siblings include the G3 Prix Six Perfections winner See The Rose (Ire) and Listed winner Xaarino (Fr), both of whom are by Kendargent (Fr).

The yearling duly sold for €460,000 just over 24 hours later and was signed for by Alex Elliott on behalf of Coolmore.  

Lot 1 2 1 , a full-sister of the Arqana Series des Pouliches winner ROSE BLOOM by #LopeDeVega @BallylinchStud was sold to @A_C_Elliott for MV Magnier. She was offered by @BallylinchStud at the #AugustSale. pic.twitter.com/fYU3xAOsAl

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

Buy of the Day

Lot 40, B, C, Hello Youmzain (Fr)-Rime A Rien (GB) (Amadeus Wolf {Ire})
Vendor: Haras de Montaigu
Buyer: Longways Stables
Price: €105,000

The first yearlings by Haras d'Etreham's dual Group 1-winning sprinter Hello Youmzain have impressed at Arqana, generally exhibiting a decent action and looking fairly forward types. It will be no surprise if they catch the eye of some of the breeze-up buyers, and indeed this colt out of the proven producer and stakes-placed Rime A Rien was bought by Mick Murphy and Sarah O'Connell of Longways Stables. If he gallops as well as he walks he could well prove profitable back in Deauville next May, especially as his half-siblings include the G2 Sapphire S. winner Soffia (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and the Listed-placed multiple winner Nationalista (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

The post Sheikh Mohammed Jets In to Arqana for €1.25m Dubawi Colt  appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The hammer comes down at €1,250,000 for lot 2️⃣1️⃣, a son of #Dubawi @DarleyEurope as @godolphin buys the beautiful colt offered by @EcurieMonceaux at the #AugustYearlingSale! pic.twitter.com/8dCB4Hgf4L

— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) August 18, 2023

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The term 'record-breaking trade' has appeared countless times in this and other publications, and frequent rejigging of sales formats allows that to be claimed perhaps more often than it genuinely should be, but the 2022 August Sale really was quite the blockbuster by all measures.

A tightened catalogue helped, because as the numbers were trimmed and 40 fewer horses were offered, the clearance rate improved to its highest mark of 82.5%. Furthermore, the average exceeded the €200,000 mark for the first time to settle at €209,972, and the median shot up to €140,000 from a previous high of €125,000. All things considered, it was indeed pretty good.

Several graduates from that sale have already impressed on the track, and Ramatuelle (Justify) could yet add a Group 1 title to her impressive season when challenging for the Sumbe Prix Morny on Sunday. Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) chipped in with a Listed win at Salisbury on Wednesday for Godolphin, boosting the appeal of his three-parts-brother by Night Of Thunder (Ire), who sells on Saturday. They have been backed up by the Class of '21, which includes Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never), Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), and the colt who has folk in a froth in France and beyond, Ace Impact (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}).

The fact that it has been a strong year on the track for French-trained runners matters immensely. Of course not all horses bought at this sale will remain in France. Last year's top lot, the brother to Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) bought for €2.1 million, is currently in pre-training in Japan. Named Shin Emperor (Fr), he will soon head to the Ritto training centre to continue his tutelage under the eye of Yoshito Yahagi, who is back in France to peruse the best of this year's sale.

But French racing prides itself on its lucrative owners' and breeders' premiums, not to mention the allure of its picturesque training environment in Chantilly and beyond. The horses have to perform here to encourage owners to want to have them in training in France, and this year they have stepped up to the mark with gusto, headed by the likes of Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Jannah Rose (Ire), Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Fr) and Mqse De Sevigne (Fr), as well as the aforementioned Prix du Jockey Club winner Ace Impact. The fact that he already has a stallion deal in place could prove to be something of a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it is fantastic that he will be staying in France to stand at the Chehboub family's Haras de Beaumont, but on the other, the current dearth of exciting stallion prospects in the country may well hasten his retirement at the end of this season. We'll see.

Reflecting on this banner year on the track for the home runners, Arqana's executive director Freddy Powell said on Thursday, “The timing is pretty good, and thanks to Mr [Charlie] Appleby yesterday as well, who won the Listed race, because we have some from the family here in the sale.”

He continued, “It just shows how much French breeders have been investing in good mares and nominations. There's a great diversity of stallions and pedigrees, so we are blessed really.”

As has become tradition, Arqana laid on a plane from America, bringing in around 50 potential transatlantic buyers.

“There are plenty of international people here already and still more coming,” Powell said, and added of last year's leading buyer, Yoshito Yahagi, “We are always happy to see his hat.”

The trainer of this year's Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (Jpn) and the Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Marche Loraine (Jpn) is noted as much for his love of foreign travel as he is for his snazzy headwear, and a colourful Panama was indeed being sported in Deauville on Thursday as the temperature started to soar and the sales ground became ever busier. 

Powell added, “It's nice to feel that most people have been around once already and they are all talking quite positively about the stock. It's important not to get too excited about things but the signs are all good and it looks like it's all falling into place.”

The post ‘It Shows How Much French Breeders Have Been Investing’: Powell Relishing Return of the August Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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While many of the families of the horses catalogued will be familiar to potential purchasers, each new season brings with it a wave of new stallion names to grapple with, and there are 14 freshman sires with members of their first crop on offer in Deauville this week. Sottsass (Fr) is detailed in the accompanying feature, and on the same day that he recorded his most prestigious win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at the other end of the distance spectrum Wooded (Ire) was winning the Prix de l'Abbaye for Al Shaqab Racing. With his sire Wootton Bassett (GB) now having moved from France to Coolmore's Irish base, the sprinter was doubtless a welcome addition to Normandy's stallion ranks. Two of his yearlings are in the August catalogue and another nine feature in the V.2 sale next Tuesday, and Wooded was given an extra boost over the weekend when his full-brother Bucanero Fuerte (GB) won the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S.

The poster celebrating his latest major success after also winning the G2 Railway S. is already on display at the consignment of Haras d'Etreham, which sold Bucanero Fuerte last August for €165,000 and will offer his Dubawi (Ire) half-sister on Saturday as lot 214.

“We were so sure that he would win that we had it made in advance,” said Nicolas de Chambure with a smile, and he has plenty to be happy about at present.

In what may help other sons of Siyouni (Fr) coming through, Etreham's City Light (Fr) has made a decent start with his runners this season, with his eight runners to date representing a strike-rate of 40% to put him in front in the French first-season sires' table. Coming through hard on his heels are his fellow residents, Persian King (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr), who have 19 and 21 first-crop yearlings respectively in the August catalogue. These include lot 50, Etreham's speedy-looking Hello Youmzain half-sister to the G3 Prix Djebel winner Fast Raaj (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}).

Another Group 1-winning sprinter to have joined the French ranks at the same time is Sumbe's Commonwealth Cup winner Golden Horde (Ire), himself by the July Cup winner Lethal Force (Ire) and out of a mare by another top sprinter, Pivotal (GB).

Of two yearlings catalogued, Golden Horde has one remaining, lot 29, a colt from the family of Bloomsbury Stud's Queen Mary winner Pushy (GB).

Along with the aforementioned Wooded, another Haras de Bouquetot stallion with first yearlings is the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Prix Jacques Le Marois winner Romanised (Ire), whose sole offering in August (lot 158) is from the family of Treve (Fr) and is a half-sister to the German Group 2 winner Boscaccio (Ger) (Mount Nelson {GB}).

Ghaiyyath (Ire), Horse of the Year in 2020, heads a trio of Darley stallions in the freshman division, along with two Group 1-winning sons of Shamardal in Earthlight (Ire) and Pinatubo (Ire). Among Earthlight's three is the penultimate yearling in the ring, lot 313, a half-brother to the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), while La Motteraye offers a Ghaiyyath half-sister to G3 Prix La Force winner Chilean (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) as lot 176.

Early in Sunday's session, Monceaux will offer one of a quartet of yearlings by the 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko in the sale. Lot 227 is out of a Galileo (Ire) half-sister to the GI Arkansas Derby winner Bodemeister. 

Among those with a single representative here in Deauville, but about whom we will doubtless be hearing plenty more as the season progresses, are Yeomanstown Stud's Shaman (Ire), Newsells Park Stud resident Without Parole (GB), Shadwell's Mohaather (GB), and Maximum Security, who is based at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in America. The latter's filly, in the Haras de l'Hotellerie draft as lot 246, was bred by Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals, whose Yeguada Cebturion operation is having a banner year as the breeders of Blue Rose Cen (Ire), Big Rock (Fr) and Ramatuelle, who runs in Sunday's G1 Sumbe Prix Morny.

The updates keep coming thick and fast for Arqana. On Wednesday at Salisbury, last year's August graduate Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the Listed Stonehenge S., his second victory in three starts for Godolphin. Bought for €600,000, he was bred by Guy Heald from Dubai Rose (GB) (Dubai Destination), and his three-parts-brother by Night Of Thunder (Ire) features in the Monceaux draft as lot 196. Heald keeps mares at both Monceaux and La Motteraye and, through the latter, he is selling a colt from the same family who is a three-parts-brother to the Group 1 winner Sea La Rosa (Fr) and Group 2 winner Deauville Legend (Fr). That pair has Sea The Stars (Ire) as sire, and it is his son Sea The Moon (Ger) who is responsible for the yearling colt (lot 77) out of Soho Rose (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), a half-sister to Dubai Rose.

The Haras d'Etreham team wasn't the only one celebrating a Group 1 winner at the weekend. Haras de la Perelle's Simca Mille (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) took the Grosser Preis von Berlin on Sunday in the homeland of his owner/breeder Jurgen Winter. Perelle has topped the August Sale before, back in 2017 with a €1.55 million colt by Dubawi out of the G1 Falmouth S. winner Giofra (GB) (Dansili {GB}). The stud offers two members of that same family this week, including a Hello Youmzain half-brother to Giofra (lot 232), and is saving the Sea The Moon (Ger) half-brother to Simca Mille for the October Sale. 

As this year's star three-year-old Paddington (GB) has shown, there's certainly no harm in being a graduate of that later auction. For now, though, all eyes are on the August Sale, as Arqana is once again the bellwether for Europe's elite yearling sales.

The post From Earthlight to Wooded: 14 New Sires Represented at Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Buyers will be offered a magnum of champagne with their first purchase of €500,000 or more at the Deauville venue. The top vendor at the end of each day of the sale will also receive a magnum of champagne. The Flexjet team will be present at the 360° Bar, as well as the Cocktail Bar in Courtyard A throughout the three-day sale.

“We are delighted to be involved in the August Yearling Sale again this year,” said Mike Silvestro, CEO of Flexjet. “Flexjet and Arqana share a dedication to high performance and exquisite style, and equestrian sport is a passion for many of our Flexjet aircraft owners. We're looking forward to hosting owners who are flying into Deauville for the occasion, as well as celebrating some of the most exciting transactions at our Flexjet bar on the parade ground. It promises to be a fantastic weekend.”

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Fanfaron: the new Chez Hervé

I am guessing that many TDN readers might still, like me, be cherishing fond memories of some seriously unbridled parties at Chez Hervé. If you belong to this merry category, read on as you will be relieved to learn that this unique location, on Deauville's quaint market square, now plays host to a restaurant that does much more than continuing Chez Hervé's heritage: it is transcending it.

The new ringmaster is named Olivier Bertran de Balanda, brother to bloodstock agent Nicky and son of jumps trainer Jehan. After several years in Shanghai where his French bar was a huge hit with the younger generations, he and his multi-talented wife Fanny have worked their magic and roamed countless brocantes and flea markets to create a picturesque – should I say “instagrammable” – room and a vibrant atmosphere. 'A bistro of character with a strong personality, where a wind of madness and elegance blows,' as the website beautifully sums it up. Foodwise, the generous, flavour-rich plates of some of the most traditional – and least diet-compatible – French dishes, from blanquette de veau to sole meunière, bone marrow, lamb shoulder or tournedos Rossini, will satisfy the most solid appetites while the wine list is replete with family-owned, homegrown nectars from all parts of France at under-the-radar prices.

Le Drakkar and Le Central: new faces at the helm

While Fanfaron is certainly starting on a strong footing, the up-and-coming venue would still find it hard to compete with Le Drakkar when it comes to electing Deauville's most renowned restaurant. The unmistakable brasserie can claim credit for having hosted the Who's Who of racing from every corner of the world for many decades, a feat best evidenced by the fact that one of its many equine namesakes was a Grade 1 winner in South Africa. How many victories at the highest level, seven-figure yearling sales and stallion deals were celebrated underneath its historic wooden ceiling and on its cosy leather-covered benches is anyone's guess. A hint resides in the infamous quote by a former manager that 95% of the restaurant's stock of Château Cheval-Blanc, at no less than €800 a bottle, was drunk during the sole month of August.

Le Drakkar, along with its Trouville counterpart Le Central and fellow popular restaurants Marinette, L'Annexe and Les Mouettes, had been owned and run by prominent local figure Hervé Van Colen until his retirement in the summer of 2020 and the subsequent sale of the entire group to Thierry Bourdoncle, a serial entrepreneur in the gastronomy industry, already at the head of multiple iconic venues in Saint-Tropez, Paris, Megève, Cannes etc. As lockdown struck, the grandiose renovation works planned by the new owner were postponed, and it was only in May 2022 that an extended, brand-new and yet familiar Drakkar opened its doors again.

Under the guidance of the new chef Edouard Faure, the menu has been revamped and, some will regret, prices have taken some serious mark-ups as luxury delicacies have become house staples. While old favourites such as the locally grazed côte de boeuf still hold pride of place, guests are now spoilt for choice with some more southern flavours as well as fusion-food influences.

Just a few minutes away in Trouville, Le Central has also undergone a welcome renovation and remains one of the most reliable venues for fresh-off-the-boat sea food and bistro cuisine.

Not content with such sizeable investments, Thierry Bourdoncle has also laid his hands on the former Villa Gabrielle, enviably located just opposite the Normandy hotel. Renamed Les Planches, it serves classical Italian dishes to die for.

Marion and Arthur are the new generation 

Despite Bourdoncle's impressive takeover, the name Van Colen has not quite vanished from the Deauville scene. Hervé's daughter Marion has launched the eponymous brasserie on avenue de la République, where echoes of her father's unique hand for local products of the finest quality and traditional gourmet recipes will appeal to nostalgic souls. Her brother Arthur is also likely to come across many of racing's most prominent figures after taking over the infamous Le Cyrano café, where trainers, jockeys and fellow early birds flock for breakfast and light lunches.

Sospiro is the new taste of Italy

Before I get sued for causing a mental breakdown to numerous distinguished members of the racing community, among with the TDN's very own Sue Finley, let me make something crystal clear: Santa Lucia IS STILL operating, and truffle pizza is still on the menu. Yet my guess is that some just as distinguished TDN readers, including some with Italian blood, will agree that the food and ambiance have faded since the days of the larger-than-life Vincenzo Esposito.

I have good news for those who share this view. Just a few minutes from the Arqana sales complex, a hidden gem by the name of Sospiro serves the most authentic pasta, pizza and other dishes from Southern Italy and Sardinia. Need some bomb-proof evidence? This is where you are most likely to bump into leading Italian-born jockey Cristian Demuro during the Deauville race meeting. Disregard the clearly unassuming street view and wander through the main room to find the most charming terrace where you will instantly feel transported to Naples or Palermo. If you are part of a big party, rejoice, as you are in for an unforgettable treat: “pizza by the metre”. Easier eaten than said.

Will L'Institution become the new institution?

Facing the old-fashioned little garden that sits in front of Hotel Normandy, L'Institution is another new player in the upmarket segment. Sat in the vast Art Deco dining room, on the terrace, or in the intimate patio, indulge in a piece of matured meat grilled under your eyes or dig into a plethoric seafood platter. L'Institution is also famous for its cocktails, skilfully crafted by a 'mixologist'. Save some room for dessert as they are hard to resist, too!

La Cabane Perchée is the new Brok Café

I may break a few hearts by disclosing that Le Brok Café has changed hands, style and atmosphere altogether. However, those looking for the best spot to sip a cocktail in the sunset will fall in love with La Cabane Perchée, the roof-top bar towering above Trouville beach. Operated by former jockey Miguel Blancpain, this picturesque bar with a breathtaking view serves tapas and house cocktails all day long, as well as a magnificent brunch on weekends. With popular DJs frequently on duty behind the platins, dancing goes on until dawn, and a midnight bath always looms round the corner.

With so many new venues to try out, I am left to ponder how many lunches, aperitifs, dinners and parties one can fit into a single trip to Deauville? Or perhaps this is the very reason why the October Yearling and December Breeding Stock sales have gained so much international traction.

The post The Gastro Guide to Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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DEAUVILLE, France–Monday may have felt like Sunday in Deauville as the French observed the holy day of the Assumption of St Mary, but business continued apace at Arqana, with strength in depth to the final session hitherto unseen at the August Sale and new record figures set in all sectors.

Reworked this year so that the former select evening sessions held over the weekend with a supplementary session on Monday were all rolled into an alphabetical singular sale, the new format may have caught the odd person out but the major buyers knew to wait for a closing day which transpired to be the strongest of all three.

“Yesterday and today [Monday] have felt stronger but we need to wait until the end to analyse things properly,” observed Anthony Stroud, the leading buyer at the sale on behalf of Godolphin, who spent €5,550,000 on six yearlings. The sextet included Monday's session-topper and the fourth seven-figure lot of the sale, Ecurie des Monceaux's Dubawi (Ire) colt out of Golden Valentine (Ire) who sold for €2 million.

Indeed, proper analysis is best conducted once the auctioneer's voice has stopped ringing in the ears, but on paper at least the sale performed better with each passing day since Saturday.

Monday's average of €241,516 and median of €160,000 were the highest of the three days, as was the clearance rate of 86%. The 72 yearlings sold on Monday added just shy of €15 million to the sale's aggregate.

Over the three days turnover stood at €51,071,000 for 246 horses sold (84%), which was a new record for the sale, increasing by more than €7 million on the previous high of 2019. The sale's average of €210,025 and median of €140,000 both easily broke previous records in those sectors.

Monceaux Trio for Godolphin

Just four Dubawi (Ire) yearlings were on offer in the entire sale, of which, all bar one went the way of Godolphin. 

However, Anthony Stroud needed to fight hard for Ecurie des Monceaux's colt out of Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who topped proceedings on day three at €2,000,000 and, by close of play, was only second to the August Sale-topping brother to Sottsass (Fr) [lot 154], who was knocked down to Yoshito Yahagi at €2.1 million on Sunday.

But Monday belonged to lot 292, by Darley's legendary sire, who has already been joined by a host of his high-class sons at stud, including Ghaiyyath (Ire), Too Darn Hot (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Space Blues (Ire). The members of Team Godolphin were unanimous in their admiration of the colt, with Stroud revealing that everyone who looked at him, including Charlie Appleby, were keen not to leave France without him. 

Stroud said, “He's an exceptional horse-very light on his feet. He's a Dubawi, [which is] brilliant, and we all thought he was the most lovely horse-Charlie, everyone. He was one we really wanted to get.”

It wasn't the first time that Monceaux enjoyed a major payday with a Dubawi out of Golden Valentine, either. Just 12 months ago, Oliver St Lawrence paid €750,000 for his brother, who has yet to hit the track. 

Golden Valentine won four of her seven starts for Freddy Head, including the G3 Prix Minerve at Deauville in 2016, and is from a family that is jam-packed with Group and Listed winners. As well as being a sister to Goldwaki (Ger), herself a Group 3 winner, Golden Valentine is a half-sister to Luck (Kitten's Joy), a Grade 3 winner in America this year, and two more black-type performers. The family goes back to champion and multiple Group 1-winning racemare Goldikova (Fr).

Anthony Stroud had earlier added another two yearlings to Godolphin's list of purchases for the week, also both from the draft of leading vendor Ecurie des Monceaux. 

At €600,000, he signed for lot 259, a Dubawi (Ire) half-brother to dual G2 Prix de Royallieu winner The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}).

“Dubawi needs no introduction, we've done so well with him,” he reasoned. “And The Juliet Rose was a very good filly, trained by Nicolas Clement. He comes from Monceaux, which has been a nursery for a number of excellent horses, so for us he passed all our criteria, for the team that is.”

Another to have passed muster was a son of the young Darley stallion Blue Point (Ire) [lot 251], who was bought for €200,000 to make him the most expensive yearling by the freshman sire to date. The colt's half-sister Devant has already added some bold back type high up on the page by winning the G3 Prix Miesque, while further down the page the names of his Group-winning grand-dam Savoureuse Lady (GB) (Caerleon) and the brilliant Mtoto (GB) (Busted (GB}) add further substance.

Stroud was signing for Monday's sales-topper immediately after picking up lot 291, an athletic Lope De Vega (Ire) colt out of a Galileo (Ire) mare [Golden Lilas (Ire)], consigned by Haras du Cadran, for €575,000.

He said, “This is a very nice horse. He came from a very good breeder and has a lot of quality. He was a very good walker. He was very well-balanced and is out of a Galileo mare. We really like him.”

Saint Pair On Par

Fawzi Nass and Oliver St Lawrence have made a splash at the August Sale in the past and they returned to pick up one of the most expensive lots of the final session in Haras de Saint Pair's Kingman (GB) colt from the family of Almanzor (Fr). Offered as lot 249, the son of the Street Cry (Ire) mare Dardiza (Ire) is a half-brother to Grade 3 winner Guildsman (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), with his damline emanating from an Aga Khan family which has produced the treble Group 1 winner Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar).

After placing the successful bid of €800,000, St Lawrence said, “Andreas Putsch is a great breeder and we loved the horse from the very first time [we saw him]. He's going to go to William Haggas, who was here over the weekend and loved him. We've waited a bit at this sale for him to come in.”

Of the suggestions from some consignors at this early date in the yearling calendar that the sale should be held a bit later the agent continued, “It's been a very active and competitive sale. I hear there are rumours that the breeders want to cancel the August Sale but I hope that doesn't happen. I hope they keep it here as overseas owners such as Fawzi Nass wouldn't be here if it was later; I think half the Americans wouldn't be here.”

Andreas Putsch's Haras de Saint Pair, which added another group winner to its record on Sunday with the victory of Eternal Pearl (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G3 Prix Minerve, also enjoyed a good few days in the sale ring. 

Three fillies from the same family of the Classic runner-up Glorious Sight (Ire) (Singspiel {Ire}) were all offered by the stud within four lots of each other, fetching €600,000, €400,000 and €150,000 respectively. 

“I think the new sale format works,” said a delighted Putsch. “We brought such nice horses that we were hoping that they would sell well but whenever you get into this sphere you can never expect it. I'm absolutely thrilled.”

He added, “The racecourse is what it's all about. We breed to race, and even if other people race them, the results on the racecourse are what it's all about.”

Kieran Lalor of Al Shira'aa Racing signed for Saint Pair's full-sister to Group 2 winner Glycon (Fr) by the late Le Havre (Ire) and said of lot 287, “I thought she was one of the nicest fillies in the sale and is out of a very good mare. She's a full-sister to a Group 2 winner and comes from a great breeder. I actually just met him for the first time and he told me I can come to see the farm any time and I'm excited about that. She comes from one of the best families there is and I have been trying to get into it for a long time. Le Havre was a very sad loss to the French breeding industry and is a stallion we used for a long time. He's obviously a very good sire of fillies so we're very excited.”

The family to which he refers is one that boasts the Group 1-winning fillies Hydrangea (Ire), Hermosa (Ire) and Tenebrism, and the two other members offered by Haras de Saint Pair include lot 284, a daughter of Frankel (GB) and Girl Friday (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}), who sold for €400,000 to Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock.

“Everyone wants Frankel,” he said. “You can never have enough of a good thing. The pedigree, the filly, I think she's relatively inexpensive given the market. We're very happy to have her. She's for a partnership and will go to Jean-Claude Rouget.”

Gordon-Watson Lands Filly From 'Best Cross'

Charlie Gordon-Watson would have won the prize for the best-dressed man at Arqana had there been such a competition but, what he really came to Deauville for was lot 247, a Frankel (GB) filly out of a mare by Dubawi (Ire), which the bloodstock agent labelled as best cross there is. 

Just as the hammer fell at €650,000, Gordon-Watson, bedecked in a suit and a bright red tie, high-fived his two children in delight after securing the Haras d'Etreham-consigned filly. 

The filly is the first foal out of Listed winner Crystal River (GB), a half-sister to Group 2 winner Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), and to Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven's Pass), who won the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Gordon-Watson later revealed that she will be trained by either John Gosden or Andre Fabre. 

The visibly delighted agent said, “Well, the Frankel and Dubawi cross is the best. The statistics, the percentages and the Group 1 wins are phenomenal. She's a fantastic individual and is an exceptionally-good first foal who vetted very well.

“She has a very good back-pedigree, we like Frankel and he had a Group 1 and a Group 3 winner yesterday. They get better every day and he's the best there is. She'll go back to England, and then she'll either be sent to John Gosden or to Andre Fabre, or whoever we decide on later.”

Asked who the filly was for, Gordon-Watson, who often buys for Lady Bamford, replied, “Just an owner-breeder in England.”

Lady Bamford has already enjoyed notable success with Frankel as her famous maroon colours were carried by his son Dreamflight (GB) to victory for Fabre in a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud earlier this season. Multiple listed and Group 3 winner Suphala (Fr) was another high-achiever to carry the famous silks in France.

White Birch and Coolmore Back in the Fray

As the supply of yearlings by Galileo begins to dwindle it was no surprise to see the colt out of Group 3 winner High Celebrity (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) go the way of MV Magnier at €650,000.

Sold on behalf of his breeder Haras de Fresnaux by Eric Puerari's haras des Capucines, lot 297 is a full-brother to the Listed-placed Friendly Face (Fr) and will race for in partnership for the Coolmore team and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm.

“They're not making them any more and thankfully we have some very good two-year-olds by Galileo,” said Magnier. “Aidan [O'Brien] is very positive about Tower Of London (Ire) and Donnacha has Proud And Regal (Ire), and we were very lucky to have been part of Galileo's success.

“This colt was a very nice horse and Mr Dubois is an unbelievably good breeder. He was a good mover and we want to make the most of the opportunities left when it comes to Galileo's young stock.”

Channel's First Foal for Bouchard

It is a rare moment when the first foal of a Classic-winning mare is offered at public auction, and when the youngster in question is a filly by one of the world's best sires she could be sure to pique the interest of breeders looking to boost their broodmare band. 

The first offspring of the 2019 Prix de Diane winner Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is thus bound, eventually, to join the paddocks at Jean-Louis Bouchard's fledgling operation near Reux, after being bought through Gerard Larrieu's Chantilly Bloodstock for €400,000.

“I'm so happy because five years ago I bought a stud close to Deauville, and we are starting with new mares,” Bouchard said. “This filly has everything; she walks very well and I really like her attitude. Her dam is a Classic winner and by Nathaniel, who produced an exceptional mare in Enable. She will make a very good mare and she could be a good racehorse too.”

Early into the ring on Monday evening as lot 234, the chestnut filly was presented on behalf of her breeder Samuel de Barros by La Motteraye Consignment. As well as her own Group 1 credentials, she has the advantage of owning a deep pedigree which includes her G1 Cheveley Park Stakes-winning grand-dam Magical Romance (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}), Classic heroines Alexandrova (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), and Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}). 

MyRacehorse Enters French Yearling Market

When Arthur Hoyeau signed the ticket for lot 105, a Justify filly, for €100,000 on Saturday at the Arqana August sale, it marked a new beginning for the American-based microshare racehorse ownership group MyRacehorse in France.

MyRacehorse–which offers shares in racehorses for $100 or less–has made a splash in America with early successes like its 2020 Breeders' Cup Classic win with Audible, which saw 5,300 investors win America's biggest prize. The company says that they are approaching the number of 100,000 new owners for racing, and this week, the group will be testing the waters in the French yearling market with purchases at the Arqana August Yearling Sale.

The new venture represents a partnership between Henri Bozo's Ecurie des Monceaux, bloodstock agent Arthur Hoyeau, and MyRacehorse. The plan is for the horses to train and race in France, with the initial shares sold to investors in America, the UK, Australia, and Ireland, as MyRacehorse is not yet licensed to offer shares in France.

“I had been approached by MyRacehorse last autumn, just as an initial contact and I said to Arthur it's a great opportunity to find a new audience for racing, which we all need and is very positive, so we decided maybe one day we could do something together,” Bozo recalled. He said the idea also intrigued him because he was interested in buying yearling fillies to race in the hopes that they would one day join the Monceaux yearling band.

“In a perfect world, exactly,” he said. “I have always been a big believer that buying yearling fillies is a great way to improve your broodmare band and you're buying fillies that you have picked as yearlings. You can pick the pedigree, you can pick the physical. What you can't pick is their racing ability, but if that happens, it's the full package and to get that at the broodmare sales is not possible.

“This year, Arthur suggested we buy a few fillies in a partnership and I said we would take a share in that partnership, and I suggested we speak with MyRacehorse because it would be a good way to simply firm up their project in France.”

The plan is for the yearling fillies to remain in France and go into training. No trainer has yet been selected.

“I find it a great idea to allow as many people as possible and as many new people to enjoy the game and to try to do it properly,” said Bozo. “If you want to try to participate in the big races as they have done in America, it's a costly sport and hobby, and to be able to offer it to so many different people in different sizes of shares and financial participation is fantastic. It's really part of what racing is—a hobby and a way for people to think about something else and to have a goal of seeing their horses race, and to get news about them. I think what racing is all about is to provide racing and fun and new things to people. It's an interesting project.”

McStay Continues To Make Hay

Mark McStay has been one of the busier agents at the August Sale, predominantly working on behalf of international owner Bon Ho, who struck for the third time when going to €410,000 for lot 237, a Sea The Stars (Ire) half-brother to Chilean (Iffraaj {GB}).

McStay, who operates under Avenue Bloodstock, also bagged colts by Dubawi (Ire) and Sea The Stars on behalf of Ho during Saturday's session. While he admitted that Ho needed to be convinced to go the extra mile to secure his latest acquisition, a dashing grey by one of the owner's favourite sires, connections were buoyed by the fact that renowned judge Michael Donohoe was the underbidder. 

Mc Stay said, “I thought the colt was very athletic. He had great presence and, while he's not an overly big horse, he has huge movement. I am a big fan of Sea The Stars and he has a fantastic pedigree–the mare has already done it before. 

“I actually remember seeing Chilean when he was in training with Martyn Meade and the two horses have a similar presence about them so there's a resemblance there. I'm delighted to get the horse because he's by a proven sire, with a proven pedigree, he vetted very well and he looks like an athlete.”

McStay added, “He came well recommended by Gwen and Lucie of La Motteraye. Mr Ho bought Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at this sale from the same farm as well. If we can get the same results, we'll be very happy. 

“I had a protracted duel with Michael Donohoe, who is an excellent judge, so hopefully we bought right. Valuations are two people's opinions and, when Eugene Daly told me who the underbidder was, it made me feel good because we did have the stretch for this horse and I really had to persuade Mr Ho to go the extra bit.”

Chilean landed a Group 3 when in training with Meade. He is out of Childa (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), a Listed winner in France who has produced three individual winners to date, with Chilean being the best. 

On plans for the colt and reflecting on the sale as a whole, McStay said, “This horse will be sent to Jane Allison in the United Kingdom to be broken in and pre-trained. Mr Ho has horses in the UK and Ireland so he'll decide where he goes when the time comes. 

“It's been a busy few days and I have bought for a number of owners, including Mr Ho, who bought three. I also got one for James Ferguson, some owners who have horses with Hugo Palmer purchased a lovely filly the other night, and I bought the half-sister to Nashwa as well. Arqana has been a lucky place for me and they look after us very well.”

How were the freshman sires received?

It's very early days in the yearling sales season but top of the pops of  the young stallions at Arqana with their first yearlings for sale was Darley's Blue Point (Ire), whose seven yearlings sold over the last three days returned an average of €132,857.

Coolmore's Magna Grecia (Ire) had two sold for an average of €112,500, and his stud-mate Ten Sovereigns (Ire) was represented by three sold for an average of €106,667.

Too Darn Hot (GB) had five sold for an average of €102,000, while the average price for Waldgeist (GB) for five sold was €95,000. Calyx (GB) had two sold for an average of €90,000; Haras d'Etreham's City Light (Fr) had one yearling catalogued which sold for €85,000, and Land Force's sole yearling sold for €30,000. 

Eric Hoyeau, President of Arqana, and Freddy Powell, Executive Director, commented at the close of trade on Monday evening, “With such great results, we are more than satisfied that the yearling sales season is off to a great start. We are extremely grateful to our vendors for entrusting us with yearlings of this quality and for adapting to the new three-day format. The entire catalogue was of exceptional quality and all the yearlings entered are qualified for the Arqana Series, which will be held for the first time next year. The return to normal compared to the last two years has allowed us to organise events that enable us to welcome our clients, who came from Japan, the United States, Europe, the Gulf, Australia, etc., and we thank them for having attended. It was a real pleasure to see everyone in Deauville and we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of September.”

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