DEAUVILLE, France–One last six-figure yearling was added to the list on Thursday when trainer Joel Boisnard went to €130,000 for a Toronado (Ire) colt from Haras de l'Hotellerie to top the third session of Arqana's October Yearling Sale.
A half-brother to two black-type performers, lot 434 is a son of the Prix de Diane place-getter Diyakalanie (Fr) (Ashkalani {Ire}) and was bred by Haras de Sainte Gauburge. Boisnard already trains two of his half-siblings, including Diyashal (Fr) (Shalaa {Ire}), who was won over fences and hurdles since the catalogue was printed.
Beyond that highlight, trade remained solid through the middle tier with the highest clearance rate of the week so far at 90%. Though Part 2 of the October Sale has been conducted alphabetically over the last two days and is not graded, the figures across other sectors took a dip from the first of these two sessions and was the first this week to be down from the previous year as well. Turnover dropped by 10% to €4,216,500 and the average was down to €26,687 (-21%). The consistency of the trade was evident in the median being not too far below that at €22,000.
For the sale as a whole so far, figures are holding up pretty well, with the overall clearance rate of 86% being particularly noteworthy, while trade is roughly in keeping with last year.
Several of this year's freshman sires in France are heftily represented in the sale. The Haras d'Etreham duo of Persian King (Ire) and Hello Youmzain (Fr) have had 33 and 27 yearlings through the ring respectively across the three days, with Persian King's average being €48,515 and Hello Youmzain's at €54,650. The former French-trained Arc winner Sottsass (Fr), who now resides in Ireland at Coolmore, has had nine sold for an average of €56,222.
Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International, who bought Wednesday's top lot, a daughter of Without Parole (GB), to race for Madaket Group, has now signed for eight yearlings for the American-based owners.
The sale returns to action from 2pm on Friday, with one final session starting at 11am on Saturday.
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