Rauscher Bringing German Horsepower To Deauville

One wouldn’t get many pages into this year’s Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale catalogue before noticing a sizeable German presence, and one of the standout drafts making the trek from France’s neighboring country is that of Ronald Rauscher, who offers 11 mares this weekend. Seven of those go through the ring during Saturday’s select session, including two 2020 pattern race winners.

An increase in the presence of German fillies at Arqana in recent years has coincided with a growing number of German owners running their horses in France, and Rauscher noted the popularity of German fillies globally as well.

“German-breds have done quite well in the States lately, and in Japan,” he said. “The Yoshida family has been a great collector of German race fillies in the past and I’ve sold a good few to them over the last few years, so we’ll be hoping Japanese participation takes place.”

One of the highlight lots of Rauscher’s draft-and the sale as a whole-is likely to be the 4-year-old filly Durance (Ger) (Champs Elysees {GB}) (lot 174). Campaigned as a homebred by Gestut Ebbesloh with trainer Peter Schiergen, Durance won the G3 Mehl Mulhens Trophy last year going 2200 metres and was third in the G1 Preis der Diana and second in the GI E.P. Taylor S. She was second in the G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft in May this year before winning the G2 Gran Premio di Milano in Italy. Rauscher noted, too, there were excuses for her last of 12 finish in the G1 Prix de l’Opera last time.

“Durance ran second in the E.P. Taylor last year and ran a very good race,” he said. “This year she was slightly unlucky and didn’t get the most enterprising rides from the stable jockey at the time. She could have fared a little better, then she wasn’t right when she ran in the Opera. She had an infection with a temperature three weeks beforehand and everyone thought she was over it but that wasn’t the case. I would put a scratch through that form. If people are still interested in her as a race filly, she’s still there and doing well.”

Durance’s unraced dam Djidda (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) has outdone herself at stud, producing eight stakes horses, which in addition to Durance include Devilish Lips (Ger) (Konigstiger {Ger}), the dam of Group 2 winner Dragon Lips (Ger) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and listed winner and Classic-placed Dynamic Lips (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}). Djidda has an as-yet unraced 2-year-old filly by Soldier Hollow (GB) named Djetties Beach (GB) and a yearling filly by Adlerflug (Ger).

“Durance is a very nice filly with lots of frame and a very strong family,” Rauscher added. “All the half siblings have done very well partly from less commercial coverings.”

Satomi (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 197) heads to Deauville off the back of a season that includes wins in the Listed Hein Bollow-Memorial over 2200 metres and the G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis over 2400 metres over Group 1 winners Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}). The Markus Klug-trained filly has plenty going for her on pedigree, too, being out of G3 Preis des Winterkonigin scorer Swordhalf (Ger) (Haafhd {GB}) and a half-sister to listed winner and Preis der Diana fourth Sword Peinture (Ger) (Peintre Celebre).

“What is nice about Satomi too is that she’s by Teofilo, who has had a super season, the best season he’s ever had I think with six individual Group 1 winners,” Rauscher said. “On pedigree, Satomi traces back to Schwarzgold, which would be one of our best German families with Slip Anchor, Sagace and Steinlen which were a good while ago, but there are also Soul Stirring and Stacelita in Japan [from the family]. It’s as good as German families get, so Satomi certainly qualifies for a breeding operation.”

Among those being offered on behalf of Rauscher’s longtime client Dr. Christoph Berglar is Pleasant Company (Ger) (Siyouni {Fr}) (lot 111). The 3-year-old filly’s racing career was unfortunately cut short this summer after she broke her maiden at third asking, but her pedigree should generate plenty of interest. She is out of the listed-winning Peace Society (Iffraaj {GB}), who is a half-sister to G3 Grosser Preis der Landeshauptstadt scorer Peace In Motion (Ger) (Hat Trick {Jpn}), who Rauscher and Berglar sold at this sale two years ago for €860,000.

“Pleasant Company is a very nice filly,” Rauscher said. “She’s a typical Siyouni. We sold Peace In Motion out of that family a few years ago and she made a very good price at Arqana. This filly doesn’t have the same race record; she had a slight hiccup in the summer where she basically had to quit her racing career, but she’s really grown into herself in the time off now. She’s strengthened a lot and has a lot of quality.”

Pleasant Company is the first foal out of Peace Society, who has a 2-year-old colt by Protectionist (Ger) named Pure Bubbles (Ger), a yearling colt by the same sire and a filly foal by Sea The Moon (Ger). Peace Society is in foal to champion sprinter Blue Point (Ire).

“I think with that page behind her and her dam being in foal to Blue Point–and we have some very nice Protectionists out of the dam, a very nice yearling and 2-year-old–I think Pleasant Company should find friends in the ring. The family has been very popular in France.”

Ninfea (Ger) (Selkirk) (lot 146) is another from a family that has been very good to Dr. Berglar, and in fact her third dam is Berglar’s foundation mare Narola (Ger) (Nebos {Ger}). Ninfea is out of the Preis der Winterkonigin winner Night Lagoon (Ger) (Lagunas {GB}), and therefore a half-sister to the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and four-time Group 1 winner Novellist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). The 9-year-old Ninfea was listed-placed herself and has produced two stakes-placed winners from her first two matings: Nayala (GB) (Maxios {GB}), who was second in a listed race going a mile last year, and Nemean Lion (Ger) (Golden Horn {GB}), a €205,000 Baden-Baden yearling purchase by Godolphin who was second in the G2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend. Ninfea has a 2-year-old colt by Adlerflug named New Eagle (Ger), a yearling son of Protectionist and a filly foal by Oasis Dream (GB). She is offered in foal to Nathaniel (Ire).

“Dr. Christoph Berglar and I have a long history with the family; when I was living in Ireland I had Narola as a boarding mare,” Rauscher recalled. “Ninfea is a little different from the family-she’s chestnut, and all the rest are dark bays, but being by Selkirk it’s not a huge surprise. She’s a very nice-looking mare and she has certainly upgraded the two stallions she went to the first couple seasons. Her first foal by Maxios was stakes-placed, and the second one was by Golden Horn. One shouldn’t prematurely be negative about him at all, maybe they’re just late maturing, but her 3-year-old was second in a Group 2 on Arc weekend. I think she’s done tremendously well. The cover by Nathaniel is more an owner/breeder covering and not a commercial one, but she’s a very nice mare. I like her a lot and in one way I wouldn’t like to see her go.”

During a career in which he has operated out of bases in Canada, Ireland and Germany, Rauscher has bought and sold bloodstock all over the world. He said he has been trending towards taking his consignments to Deauville because France and Germany are currently enjoying a strong synergy.

“German form is generally a little more well known in France than in England,” he said. “If you go back 10 or 15 years, I think German-bred horses were selling well in England. I sold Lady Marian there and she won the [Prix de l’Opera], and I sold Manduro’s dam there. It was a time where a few German stallions had retired in England, like Tiger Hill and Shirocco, and a lot of people thought those horses might be commercial, but they weren’t really at the end of the day. I think afterwards the English and Irish markets went off German horses a little bit. The French, in their training and the way they approach them, they would be a little different. They got a better tune out of those horses, and I think the French market might suit just a little better. That doesn’t mean I won’t take anything to Tattersalls, because I have done in the past and we sold very well there just two or three years ago.”

Rauscher described his expectations for the Arqana December market as “optimistic” and reflected on the resilience of the global bloodstock market and the commitment of the major owner/breeders.

“Having watched the foal sale at Tattersalls I was amazed by how resilient it was,” Rauscher said earlier this week. “My expectations would be optimistic especially for those higher end horses. Money seems to be there for them, the same as it was in Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. People are willing to invest, maybe more long term than short term. The big breeding operations are willing to support their horses, with Juddmonte buying foals now, saying the yearlings were too expensive. You get the feeling that despite all the problems [related to the pandemic] that those people are fully committed and have a long-term plan.”

For those looking to bolster their long-term success in the bloodstock business, a look over the Ronald Rauscher draft at Arqana’s December Breeding Stock Sale could prove pivotal.

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“Something For Everyone” At Arqana

The breeding stock sales caravan rolls on to France this weekend for the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and while the pandemic will inevitably lead to fewer making the pilgrimage to Deauville, a typically strong and diverse catalogue-buoyed by another good year on the world’s racecourses for the sale’s graduates-means that global enthusiasm is unlikely to be dampened at the four-day sale that runs Dec. 5 through 8.

“Given the circumstances it’s a relief to be able to organize the sale,” said Ludovic Cornuel, head of bloodstock at Arqana. “This has been a very challenging year for everyone in the industry.”

With France still ensconced in its second national lockdown due to COVID-19, Arqana was able to test its health protocols at its Autumn Sale last month.

“The sale a fortnight ago went well,” Cornuel said. “There were strict protocols enforced. Everyone wanting to attend the sale needs to register on the Arqana website to be allowed in. Masks need to be worn all the time on the sales premises, and there are no restaurants, unfortunately, but our caterers will provide takeaway lunch boxes and sandwiches.”

In a most unprecedented year, auctions around the world have borne out the fact that top of the market bloodstock is nearly recession-proof, and the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale has plenty to go around at that end. Simultaneously, those operating in the lower tiers of the market can be buoyed by the fact that this year’s G1 Fillies’ Mile winner and champion 2-year-old filly Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) was bought for €55,000 as a foal at this sale in 2018, the same year that her dam, Lady Gorgeous (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) was sold for €40,000. Listed-winning 3-year-old and G1 St Leger second Berkshire Rocco (Fr) (Sir Percy {GB}) was a €35,000 Arqana December foal, and that pricetag will look even greater value should he continue his ascent as a top-class stayer. Directa (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), the last out G3 Prix Fille de l’Air scorer who goes through the ring on Saturday as lot 170, cost just €4,000 at this sale in 2017.

It has been a particularly fruitful season for 2-year-olds who were sold at the December sale or whose dams were sourced there. G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) was a €14,000 foal, while G3 Prix Eclipse and G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte winner Plainchant (Fr) (Gregorian {Ire}) was let out unsold at €3,000.

The dams of a trio of Group 1-winning juveniles in 2020 were bought at the Arqana December Sale. The dams of Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) cost €17,000 and €12,000, respectively. GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Aunt Pearl (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire})’s dam Matauri Pearl (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) sold for €400,000 here in 2015, the same year that G3 Prix du Bois scorer Livachope (Fr) (Goken {Fr})’s dam Laia Chope (Fr) (Soave {Ger}) cost Alain Chopard €6,000. Mishhar (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}), the dam of this year’s G2 Royal Lodge S. winner New Mandate (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), was twice available for purchase at Arqana, for €135,000 in 2016 and then for just €12,000 in 2019; New Mandate himself was a €45,000 RNA as a foal here.

Savvy shoppers, then, will be eagerly combing through the approximately 220 foals on offer. Who will unearth the next bargain Group 1 star remains to be seen.

“We have some of the best sires in Europe represented like Camelot, Frankel, Kodiac, Le Havre, Mehmas, Night Of Thunder, Sea The Stars, Showcasing, Siyouni and Wootton Bassett, and also some first-season sires that are quite popular and were very good racehorses, like Cloth of Stars, Cracksman, Expert Eye, Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion,” Cornuel said.

The eye-catching foal pages in the catalogue include lot 11, a Kodiac (GB) filly whose third dam is the Arc and five-time Group 1 winner All Along; lot 15, a Sea The Stars (Ire) filly out of a half-sister to six-time Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from an excellent Juddmonte family; lot 23, a Frankel (GB) colt who is the first foal out of dual group winner Castellar (Fr) (American Post {GB}), a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper); lot 53, a Wootton Bassett (GB) half-sister to listed winner and Group 3-placed Expressiy (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}); lot 87, a Showcasing (GB) colt out of the G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. second Magical Fire (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), a half-sister to Group 2 winners Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}); lot 140, a Kingman (GB) colt out of G3 Prix de Flore winner Lil’Wing (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}); and lot 209, a Siyouni (Fr) colt out of the listed-placed Valasyra (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}) and a half-brother to two listed-placed winners.

Cornuel admitted a blue chip selection of fillies in training has become “a trademark” of the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and considering the success of Grade I-winning sale graduate A Raving Beauty (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as well as fillies like Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) sourced from France, it is plain to see why international buyers scrutinize the catalogue year after year.

Arqana offers the only Group 1-winning filly in training to be sold at a European breeding stock sale in 2020 in the form of G1 Preis von Europa winner Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 102). The 4-year-old was also a Group 3 winner at two and a Group 2 winner at three for Darius Racing and trainer Henk Grewe. She is part of a typically powerful draft offered by Ecurie des Monceaux.

“Donjah could be one of the highlights,” Cornuel said. “She’s the only Group 1-winning filly in training to be sold in Europe this year, which is quite exciting. She is by Teofilo who is emerging as an important broodmare sire and she’s a very good-looking filly. She has all the options open for her; she can race on or be covered next year. She’s an exciting proposition.”

Donjah is part of a particularly strong cast of German-trained fillies making their way to Deauville, and that list also includes this year’s Group 3-winning sprinter K Club (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (lot 122); dual Group 3-winning miler Axana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) (lot 128); Group 3-winning miler No Limit Credit (Ger) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) (lot 192) and the multiple group winner Durance (Ger) (Champs Elysees {GB}) (lot 174) and G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis scorer Satomi (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) (lot 197) from Ronald Rauscher.

Other fillies in training sure to catch the eye include this year’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches third Mageva (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (lot 93); Nicolas Clement’s last-out listed-winning 3-year-old Conte De Fee (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (lot 109); dual Group 3-winning sprinter Spinning Memories (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) (lot 134); and this year’s G2 Oaks d’Italia winner Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) (lot 160).

Reflecting on the global appeal of French-trained fillies, Arqana’s Executive Director Freddy Powell said, “the French way of training is quite conservative and it helps horses age well. Some people say as well that the French tactics of going slow at the start and finishing fast helps develop their turn of foot and at the end of the day that’s what a lot of people are looking for, to race or for breeding purposes; a horse with a good turn of foot, and we have a lot of that in France. And French horses are very sound.”

The Arqana December Breeding Stock sale has drawn a diverse cast of in-foal mares, and among those is Melitot (Fr) (Elusive City) (lot 86), the dam of Mageva, in foal to Sioux Nation. Other exciting broodmares include dual stakes producer Cherriya (Fr) (Montjeu {Ire}) (lot 126) in foal to Siyouni; Ninfea (Ger) (Selkirk) (lot 146), a dual stakes producer and half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Novellist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) in foal to Nathaniel (Ire); Golden Lilas (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 152), an unraced full-sister to dual Classic winner Golden Lilac (Ire) in foal to Lope De Vega; Anabasis (Ger) (High Chaparral {Ire}) (lot 164), the dam of A Raving Beauty carrying a full sibling to that dual Grade I winner; and Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 178), a full-sister to Group 1 winner Magic Wand (Ire) in foal to Siyouni.

“The sire power in France has improved a lot over the last five to 10 years and we’re lucky to now have mares in foal to those stallions that have really gained international recognition,” Cornuel said. “We have plenty of mares in foal to Siyouni and Wootton Bassett, and the good news as well is that there are some new stallions in France that are very promising and some new stallions coming to France next year with high profiles, so we hope it will carry on.”

Any rundown of an Arqana December sale is not complete without a look at the drafts from the leading owner-breeders like the Aga Khan, Wertheimer et Frere and Godolphin. These programs annually support the sale with quality drafts of fillies and mares from their elite families, and it is a common occurrence to see the progeny of these mares in winners circles in Europe and further afield for other connections.

Godolphin sold the dams of Lucky Vega and Alcohol Free at this sale, and its 10-horse draft includes Adept (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 133), a placed 3-year-old daughter of G1 Oaks winner Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Family Way (Uncle Mo) (lot 195), a winning 3-year-old filly from the immediate family of Caravaggio.

Wertheimer et Frere, which culls exclusively at this sale, brings a strong draft of 24 this year, including 3-year-old filly Euclidia (Fr) (Maxios {GB}) (lot 172), a listed-winning half-sister to stakes winners Soustraction (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Matematica (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}); Allucination (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 176), a winning 3-year-old half-sister to Group 3 winners Saparella (GB) (Shamardal) and Kalahara (GB) (Frankel {GB}); Toddilea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 186), a 3-year-old unraced daughter of Argentine Group 1 winner Safari Queen (Arg) (Lode) and a half-sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary scorer Queen’s Jewel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}); and Light Dream (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) (lot 154), a three-quarter-sister to Group 1 winner Plumania (Anabaa), with G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand among the many other stakes winners appearing under the first dam. Evidence of what can be found in the eWertheimer et Frere draft is embodied by Happy Bean (Medaglia d’Oro). Sold for just €8,000 at this sale last year, she received a major update when her half-brother Happy Saver (Super Saver) won this year’s GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, and the great granddaughter of Weekend Surprise is offered again on Saturday by Haras de Lonray as lot 67 in foal to Chemical Charge.

The Aga Khan Studs has sold fillies and mares that subsequently went on to produce horses like Almanzor (Fr) and 2020 stakes winners Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) and Darkness (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and the latter appears in the pedigree of Kerka (Fr) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 78), one of 34 fillies and mares that the Aga Khan offers this time around. The winning 4-year-old daughter of the listed-winning Kerasona (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is offered in foal for the first time to Wootton Bassett. Zarza (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) (lot 156) is a half-sister to the Aga Khan’s legendary G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava (Fr) (Zamindar), while Dalmenya (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) (lot 38) is a half-sister to G1 Prix de l’Opera scorer Dalkala (Fr) (Giant’s Causeway) in foal to Golden Horn (GB). Suraiya (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) (lot 185) is another that catches the eye, the winning 3-year-old filly being from the family of Siyouni, Siyouma (Fr) and Siyarafina (Fr).

“This sale has become more and more popular over the years, and I think the main reason for that is that it’s a very mixed bunch of horses,” said Powell. “There is something for everyone at every price. A lot of people come here not knowing what they’re looking for and they’ll always go home with something, from €10,000 to €200,000. There is really something for everyone and the more you get into the catalogue the more interesting it gets.”

“It’s a pretty easy catalogue to work on,” Powell added. “For the international clientele, the top offerings are mainly on the first day. It’s an easy catalogue to flip through for people who don’t know European racing. It’s a good exercise in getting familiar with French racing and pedigrees.”

For those unable to make their annual beloved trek to Deauville, Powell suggested they “sit down in their favourite chair, open their favourite wine, watch the sale and bid online. We will be welcoming their bids.”

Cornuel added, “Those interested can register and bid online. A lot of consignors have sent us footage of their horses and there will be video taken of every horse in the Saturday [session] that will be available online. That should help people to bid remotely and have plenty of information.”

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Arqana Publishes COVID Protocols

Arqana has released its COVID-19 protocols for its December Breeding Stock Sale, which runs Dec. 5 through 8 in Deauville. Access to the sales complex is restricted to vendors, buyers and sales personnel, and anyone seeking access must fill out a request for access form. Those traveling from abroad will receive a travel authorisation from Arqana to permit them to clear controls.

Face masks must be worn at all times on the sales complex-snoods and scarves do not qualify. The auction will take place in the indoor arena, with a maximum capacity of 100 bidders. There will be dedicated entrances for bidders to enter and exit the arena. Bidding zones will be signposted inside and outside the pavilion. Bidding will also be available over the phone and online.

Food will not be sold on the sales grounds and must be pre-ordered on the request for access form.

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Arqana December Adds Six Wildcards

Arqana on Friday added six wildcards to its December Breeding Stock Sale, to be offered on Saturday, Dec. 5.

Newton’s Night (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 110) is a full-sister to Grade III winner and multiple stakes producer Dress Rehearsal, as well as to the dams of group winners Muthmir (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), My Titania (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Majestic Queen (Ire) (Kheleyf). The 9-year-old Newton’s Night is in foal to Advertise (GB).

Also added to the Monceaux draft are Lions Den (Animal Kingdom), an unraced daughter of dual Grade I winner Arravale (Arch) currently in training with Alain de Royer Dupre (lot 120); Zaur’s Heart (GB) (No Nay Never), a 3-year-old half-sister to Group 3 winners Fas (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Silva (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in training with Pia Brandt (lot 130); and a Kingman (GB) filly foal out of G3 Prix de Flore winner Lil’Wing (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 140).

The first round of Arqana December wildcards are completed by this year’s G2 Oaks d’Italia winner Auyantepui (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) (lot 160) and Directa (Fr) (Anodin) (lot 170), who has won four of her seven starts this year at three including the Listed Prix Vulcain and G3 Prix Fille de l’Air in her last two appearances.

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