Tag: Top News Europe

BBA Ireland Buys Txope For €1.2 Million On Behalf Of Yulong At Arqana

Demand for horses-in-training under both codes and breeding stock was at a premium in Deauville, as the Arqana Summer Sale wrapped its two-day stand on Friday. Towering over the proceedings was the €1.2-million purchase Txope (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) (lot 421), who caught the eye of BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe acting on behalf of Yulong Investments.

The daughter of three-time French listed-placed mare Power of The Moon (Ire) (Acclamation {GB) was bred by Haras Voltaire and consigned by trainer Philippe Decouz. Formerly an Ecurie Griezmann colourbearer, the relative of dual group winner Zinziberine (Zieten) captured the G2 German 1000 Guineas earlier this year. She cost Broadhurst Agency €310,000 when selling in this ring during the 2020 September Yearling Sale.

Donohoe said, “We can't wait to see her run – it is possible that we might send her over for the Del Mar Oaks in California in August but nothing is decided yet, we can't wait to discuss options. She's a racing prospect and a breeding prospect, and she will be a lovely broodmare in Australia.”

 

Txope was not the only filly to join the Yulong Investments fold Friday, as BBA Ireland also snapped up lot 240, the juvenile winner Kesariya (Fr) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) from The Aga Khan Studs, for €150,000, as well as Follow The Rainbow (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) (lot 316) for just €56,000 from La Riviere. The former is out of the Listed Prix Hampton winner Kerasona (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who is a half-sister to G3 Prix du Bois victress Keratiya (Fr) (Iron Mask). A daughter of Arch Of Colours (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), Follow The Rainbow is from the same family as G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Signs Of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).

“We'll decide on her next steps in the coming weeks,” said Sam Fairgray of Kesariya. “She could stay to be bred in the Northern Hemisphere or come to Australia.

Havana Grey (GB) has gotten off to a bright start with his first juveniles and the Whitsbury Manor Stud resident leads all European first-season sires by winners with 20. One of those, the Group 3-placed Havana Angel (Ire) (lot 471), was offered by Amy Murphy and proved popular on Friday. Out of the winning Claramara (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}), who is a half-sister to listed winner Sweet Cecily (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), the grey hammered to Narvick International Inc. for €320,000. A €10,000 Goffs November foal turned €20,000 Goffs Sportsman's Sale yearling, Havana Angel is a member of the same family as GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity S. and GI Toyota Blue Grass S. hero Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway).

“She'll come back to California,” said Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International. “I've bought her for Marsha Naify. I saw her at Chantilly and was impressed by her race. She also ran very well at Dieppe just beforehand. We think she has a lot of talent. The choice of trainer is up to her owner but there is a big chance that it will be Leonard Powell.”

In foal to Victor Ludorum (GB), Lyra Star (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 247) was the priciest broodmare on Friday, with MAB Agency signing for the 4-year-old at €135,000. Her dam, the G3 Prix de Psyche third Light The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), is a half-sister to standout sire and Classic winner Lope de Vega (Ire) (Shamardal), as well as three other black-type winners.

 

Not to be outdone by their Flat brethren, jumps trainers were also out in force during the second session and Willie Mullins, buying with Harold Kirk and Pierre Boulard, shelled out €360,000 for the gelded Spanish Harlem (Fr) (Spanish Moon) (lot 493) from Gabriel Leenders. A winner of his only start at Auteuil, the 4-year-old's dam is a half-sister to Grade 2 chase winner Roi des Francs (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}).

The same buying trio also gave €260,000 for lot 473, the Fastnet Rock (Aus) gelding Absurde (Fr), who was multiple stakes-placed from Wertheimer & Free; and €210,000 for Nicolas Clement representative Daddy Long Legs (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) (lot 443), who was placed from his only start to date.

“We've bought him [Absurde] for clients of Willie Mullins that like dual-purpose horses that can go over jumps or over long distances on the flat, and Absurde really fits this profile,” explained Pierre Boulard.

 

Tom Malone and Paul Nichols put up €255,000 for lot 444, the Camelot (GB) gelding Afadil (Fr). Consigned by The Aga Khan Studs, the bay has a win and a placed effort from three starts. His dam is a half-sister to the stakes winner Ashiyla (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).

Mombasa (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) (lot 500) and Zertakt (Fr) (Walzertakt {Ger}) (lot 502) were both snapped up by Guy Petite for €250,000 and €195,000, respectively. Undefeated over obstacles, Mombasa was consigned by Francois Nicolle. His granddam is the listed winner Monika (Fr) (Dernier Empereur), responsible for three black-type winners, among them G1 Prix Renaud du Vivier winner Moises Has (Fr) (Martaline {GB}). Thrice a winner over fences, the Lageneste & Macaire-consigned Zertakt last won an Auteuil 3600-metre race on June 16.

At the close of trade, 212 sold from 235 offered for a gross of €7,563,300. The average rose to €35,676 (+70.4%) and the median also ticked up to €11,000 (+57%). Overall, 380 horses found new homes for a clearance rate of 86.4%. Grossing €13,091,300, the average over two days was €34,451 (+65.3%), while the median was €16,000 (+60%).

Eric Hoyeau, Chairman of Arqana and Freddy Powell, Executive Director, commented following the sale, “The figures speak for themselves, we have just experienced an outstanding sale. We are obviously grateful to our vendors without whom this would not have been possible and to our buyers who stayed to the end. The percentage of horses sold is a testament to the strong market in all segments over the two days of the sale and the international demand. We are now looking forward to August!”

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‘A Pleasure To Train’ – Varian’s Group 1 Heroine Teona Retired After Setback

Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Ambivalent {Ire}, by Authorized {Ire}), best known for taking the scalp of Snowfall (Jpn) in the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp last season, has been retired to the paddocks after suffering a setback in training.

One of the most talented horses Roger Varian has ever trained, Teona went on to finish third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf behind Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Del Mar last term, but had yet to reappear this season.

Varian revealed on Friday that Teona, owned by Ali Saeed, will embark on a career as a broodmare after picking up an injury.

Speaking on Twitter, Varian said, “We are disappointed to report that Teona has met with a season-ending injury and will be retired. She was a pleasure to train and can now enjoy her second career as a broodmare.”

Teona graced the track just seven times but, as she showed in Paris, was electric on her day. That Prix Vermeille victory was her only top-flight success but she did win a listed event at Windsor–the Sytner BMW Sunningdale August S.–during her 3-year-old campaign.

A half-sister to the G2 Prix Hocquart victor Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Teona is from a high-class family and her dam, Ambivalent, carried Saeed's colours to Group 1 glory when winning the Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh in 2013.

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Appleby Expects to see ‘Sharper and Tighter’ Hurricane Lane at Saint-Cloud

Last season's first two from the G1 Irish Derby-Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})–will meet once more in what promises to be an informative G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

Hurricane Lane, who just snared Lone Eagle in the Irish Derby 12 months ago, went on to finish a gallant third in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Well-beaten on his return in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes, Hurricane Lane is reported to be much sharper ahead of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, according to his trainer Charlie Appleby.

He said, “There's a bit of rain forecast, so it looks like being on the slower side of good for sure. Any quicker and it might have raised concerns.

“I'll be honest, I was pleased with his run post-race (at Ascot). Pre-race I was confident that we'd got his level of fitness up there but turning four he's done very well physically, and he's certainly tightened up for the run, that's for sure.

“William (Buick) was happy with the way he travelled, he went through his girths and stayed on at the pace that we all saw.”

Appleby added, “What we've seen since the race is a sharper, tighter model. Some might ask if 15 days is enough time between runs, but 15 days was always our plan–the Hardwicke and then the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and what we saw last year was he thrives on his races.

“He went to the Derby, Irish Derby and then Grand Prix de Paris last year and that was probably his most impressive victory, so he thrives on his racing and we're very happy.”

Appleby has made no secret that his season revolves around another crack at the Arc, with one more run somewhere else before that.

“This is a horse that we're working back from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. He ran a solid race in it last year. We know he's happier in slower conditions and in the first week of October it is likely to be that,” he said.

“He'll have one more prep run before the Arc and whether that will be in Ireland, England or France, we'll make that decision closer to the time.”

Lone Eagle has a few more questions to answer. After his great run at the Curragh he was last of five in the G1 King George in which he picked up an injury. He was also beaten on his comeback at Goodwood.

Now jointly trained by Freddie and Martyn Meade, the former told Sky Sports Racing, “He had some of the best form in the book last year and he's done well. We're really excited to see him run again.

“It was very important to get that run into him, as he showed last year in the (Sandown) Classic Trial. He then came out and ran really well in the Cocked Hat S.

“I think we're in a good spot with him and I think he's earned his place. It's a very tough race, but it fits well in the calendar for a few people's plans. It's by no means easy, but hopefully we're entitled to be there.”

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Nassau Next For Ed Walker’s Group 1 Winner Dreamloper

Ed Walker has earmarked the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood for Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) as she bids to put a below-par effort behind her in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh.

Dreamloper started her season in fine form with high-profile victories in the G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket before beating the boys in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan.

While she couldn't land a blow in the Pretty Polly on Derby weekend at the Curragh, better is expected from Dreamloper when she gets her desired conditions.

“It was bad ground, it was just too soft for her,” said Walker, reflecting on the disappointing Curragh run.

“She got set alight early on, so she was a bit keen on bad ground over further than she had gone before.”

He added, “She didn't run badly but I think it was probably a warmer race than the d'Ispahan, it was a good race, the Pretty Polly, and the Nassau will be even stronger.

“She'll need to step up to win the Nassau but I wouldn't be surprised if she does, especially if it's her ground.”

Walker also has a Group 1 target for the 4-year-old filly Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), who finished third behind Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot, and will now be aimed at the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket.

“She ran a really good race and I think she'll come a lot for that,” Walker said. “I was very, very pleased with her, she's had an interrupted prep into that race and a few respiratory infections.

“It was a last-minute call to go there and she did us proud. I think she'll come on a lot for it and that's why we're prepared to have a shot at the Falmouth next month, that's the plan with her.”

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