Arqana has its first auction of the year in the book and the activity across the last two days at the mixed February Sale will likely have pleased Eric Hoyeau and his team after some solid trade, particularly for broodmares. That has been very much in accordance with similar sales which have already taken place in Britain and Ireland this year and, from a larger catalogue than last year's lockdown fare, the figures at Arqana have lifted slightly across the board.
Turnover was of course up, with 38 more horses sold this time around at the close of trade, bringing an aggregate of €4,154,00, representing an improvement of 37.7%. The median rose slightly to €6,000 from €5,500 and the average was up by 19.8% at €13,847. The clearance rate was unchanged at 80%.
It didn't take long for trade to click into top gear with the arrival in the ring, five lots from the start of the session, of Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dual Group 3 winner in her days in training with Richard Hannon.
It didn't take long for trade to click into top gear with the arrival in the ring, five lots from the start of the session, of Osaila (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dual Group 3 winner in her days in training with Richard Hannon.
Arthur Hoyeau ended up in front as the bidding settled at €200,000 for the 10-year-old mare (lot 224), who is grand-daughter of the great Detroit (Fr) (Riverman {Fr}), one of the rare broodmares to have won the Arc herself and to have produced an Arc winner, in this case Carnegie (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Osaila will head to Coolmore Stud in Ireland for a date with the European Horse of the Year for 2021.
“She is a very beautiful mare, with one of the best profiles in the sale,” said Hoyeau. “She had a great racing career and her pedigree is exceptional. She is already the dam of a winner and will be covered by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) this season.”
The further family of Osaila, who was not in foal after being covered by Toronado (Ire) last season, includes the G2 Ribblesdale S. victrix Banimpire (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).
The in-foal crew was led by lot 227, the Dubawi (Ire) mare Zomara (Fr), who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Merveillo (Fr) (Archipenko). With a yearling colt by Starspangledbanner (Aus) already on the ground, she was sold by the Channel Consignment carrying to Haras d'Etreham's young sire Persian King (Ire), with Alain Decrion bidding on behalf of Yeomanstown Stud to €140,000. The mare's dam Merville (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners and stallions Ectot (Ire) and Most Improved (Ire).
The most sought-after mares of the day came through in quick succession, with lot 231 Helcia (Fr) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), who is in foal to Mehmas, selling to David Redvers, bidding on the phone via Freddy Powell, for €115,000. The 6-year-old mare is a daughter of the dual GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Mizdirection (Mizzen Mast).
Among the smart Flat pedigrees were some decent mares with strong dual-purpose credentials, and none more so than Crystal Reef (GB) (King's Best), whose three Group-winning half-brothers Martaline (GB), Reefscape (GB) and Coastal Path (GB) have all posted some notable results as National Hunt sires. Now 17, Crystal Reef has produced the G2 Prix Chaudenay winner Doha Dream (Ire) (Shamardal) and was offered as lot 411 in foal to the most sought-after French jumps sire, Doctor Dino (Fr). Sebastien Desmontils of Chauvigny Global Equine was the successful bidder at €130,000.
Bidding via telephone, agent Paul Harley went to €120,000 for lot 388, the pretty grey Galileo (Ire) sister to stakes winners Pablo Escobarr (Ire) and Roberto Escobarr (Ire). The 8-year-old was offered in foal to Starspangledbanner (Aus) by Haras de Bouquetot, and she will now join Anna Sundstrom at Coulonces. Bouquetot ended the two days as the leading vendor, with 11 horses sold for €809,000.
Top marks in the yearling section went to Domaine de l'Etang's colt by No Nay Never (lot 222). The son of the Galileo mare Meeting (Ire), from the family of Gregorian (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), was pinhooked by Charles Briere of the Fairway Consignment at €80,000.
“I bought him for a partnership,” Briere said. “He is a beautiful colt who should mature well and he is bred on a good cross.”
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