The 6-year-old Sisila was unraced due to injury, but she boasts plenty of residual value being the first foal out of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). Her second dam is Stormina, a multiple listed winner in France and the U.S., while she descends from the G3 Prix Cleopatre victress Brooklyn's Dance (Fr) (Shirley Heights {GB}), the dam of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe scorer Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}) and group winners Prospect Wells (Fr) (Sadler's Wells) and Prospect Park (GB) (Sadler's Wells), and listed winners and producers Never Green (Ire) (Halling) and Gold Dodger (Slew O'Gold). Sisila has three foals on the ground, her first being the winning 2-year-old Sitello (Fr) (Intello {Ger}).

The top price was matched late in the session by a colt foal by New Bay (GB) (lot 495) from Haras du Hoguenet who was purchased by Nick Bell of Haras de Meautry on behalf of Baron Edouard de Rothschild. The half-brother to G2 Oppenheim-Union-Rennen winner Boscaccio (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}) from the extended family of the dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victress Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) will eventually join trainer Andre Fabre.

Saturday's opening session of the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale had returned monumental gains against the previous two editions of the sale, and though the level of trade dropped significantly on Sunday, the numbers continued to trend well ahead of 2020, when the sale was staged amid various lockdowns, border closures and strict pandemic restrictions. At the close of trade, 205 lots sold during the session for €6,655,500, well ahead of the €3,901,500 accrued from 135 sold 12 months ago. The averaged climbed 12.3% to €32,466, while the median was up 8.7% to €25,000. The clearance rate was 78.5%. During the corresponding session in 2019, 204 horses were sold for €7,020,500, at an average of €34,584 and a median of €26,000.

Al Shahania Stock In Demand

Al Shahania Stud has been conducting a partial dispersal of its stock across this season's sales, and a Showcasing colt foal from that nursery (lot 300) proved the star turn of the early portion of the sale when hammered down to Mick Flanagan for €135,000 just before lunchtime.

Flanagan confirmed the colt is a pinhook prospect.

“He's a good, strong colt, a good-moving colt by a stallion who is a Group 1 producer of both colts and fillies,” he said. “We'll take him back to Ireland and hopefully he winters well, springs well and summers well, and we'll bring him back as a yearling.”

Flanagan noted he was returning to a sire who has served him well; Flanagan purchased a filly by the sire for 220,000gns at Tattersalls December in 2017 and pinhooked her for €850,000 at Goffs Orby. Raced by China Horse Club, the filly named Lady Light (GB) broke her maiden and was listed-placed for trainer Michael Bell.

“She won first time out by four lengths and placed in a listed race and unfortunately got injured,” Flanagan said. “So she's a broodmare now but the stallion has been good to me and I continue to follow them in wherever I see them.”

Flanagan's latest Showcasing colt likewise has a strong pedigree to fall back on. His dam, the listed-placed Lightupthenight (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), was purchased by Al Shahania for €450,000 at the 2015 Arqana August Yearling Sale and is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). The German Group 1 and Classic winners Nightflower, Nymphea and Nutan appear the second dam. Lightupthenight was herself sold to Gerard Larrieu for €190,000 in foal to Almanzor at Arqana on Saturday.

The Al Shahania dispersal was, in fact, responsible for the two top-priced lots earlier in the day through Haras des Cruchettes. About 20 minutes before its Showcasing colt appeared in the ring, Cruchettes sold the 8-year-old Desert Haze (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) (lot 247) to Blandford Bloodstock for €80,000. Desert Haze was a 420,000gns yearling purchase by Al Shahania and was listed-placed in Ireland and England for trainer Ralph Beckett. She was sold on Sunday in foal to Kendargent (Fr) and carrying her fourth foal. Her lone foal of racing age is the 2-year-old Lope De Vega (Ire) filly Caligine (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who is placed. Desert Haze is a half-sister to Occupandiste (Ire) (Kaldoun {Fr}) and Only Green (Ire) (Green Desert); the former is the dam of four stakes winners and the second dam of Intello, while the latter has produced the multiple group winner and young Yeomanstown stallion Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal).

The €135,000 pricetag of the Showcasing colt was matched a couple of hours later by an Adlerflug (Ger) filly (lot 335) from the very same family, who was bought by Gestut Brummerhof through Ghislain Bozo. The filly offered by Haras de la Cour Blanche is the first foal out of the winning Nabatea (Ger) (Camelot {GB}), who is herself a daughter of the G3 Fahrhofer Stutenpreis second Neele (Ger) (Peintre Celebre), better known as the dam of the aforementioned G1 Preis von Berlin winner Nymphea and G1 Deutches Derby scorer Nutan as well as the Group 3-winning Navaro Girl (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and listed-winning Nazbanou (Ger) (High Chapparal {Ire}). The filly will be among the last foals by her sire Adlerflug, who did in the midst of the 2021 breeding season at the height of his stud career.

Though bred in France, the filly will return to Germany, the country of birth of both her parents.

“She is a beautiful filly and she has been bought for Gestut Brummerhof,” said Bozo. “They are Classic breeders and they loved this filly from the beginning. She has the Camelot factor as well, which helped. It's a long-term plan to have a filly like her, so we'll keep her and race her in Germany and breed from her.”

German genes were to the fore once again just a few lots later when a colt from the first crop of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 340) made €100,000, once again to the bid of Bozo, this time on behalf of Ballylinch Stud, which stands Waldgeist. Waldgeist's family has been prominent in the headlines during this sales season, with his three-quarter sister Waldlied (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) topping Tattersalls December at 2.2-million, and his 3-year-old full-sister Wildfeder (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) bringing €2.05-million at Arqana on Saturday evening.

“This was an exceptional foal, very solid, and I was very impressed by all the Waldgeist foals that I have seen through the sales,” Bozo said. “This one is going to go to Ballylinch Stud, and he'll be for them to race or resell.”

Though by a sire of German descent, lot 340-who was consigned by Elevage de Tourgeville-was bred in Ireland and his female family has been prominent in Britain and the Middle East; his dam New Revenue (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is a half-sister to the G3 Summer S. and G3 Dick Poole S. winner New Providence (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint second Ekhtiyaar (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}).

Update Propels Romanosa

The Fairway Partners purchased the Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) filly Romanosa (GB) for 18,000gns as a foal at Tattersalls December. Charles Briere's group attempted to flip her at Arqana's v2 yearling sale the following summer, but took her home after bidding stalled at €25,000. Sent to trainer Mathieu Brasme by owner Sebastien Defontaine-farm manager of Haras de Montaigu–Romanosa placed three times before breaking her maiden in her fourth start at Dieppe in July. The granddaughter of the G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Thakafaat (GB) (Unfuwain) was therefore entered for the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale (lot 468) as a one-time winner who was the first foal out of an unraced mare, but she changed the game when, just two weeks ago, she picked up a black-type placing in Fontainebleau's Listed Prix Ceres. The 3-year-old filly who is also a relation to the Group 1-winning siblings Power (GB), Curvy (GB), Footstepsinthesand (GB) and Pedro The Great therefore provided a late-session highlight when snatched up by Nicolas de Watrigant of Mandore International Agency for €140,000 on behalf of Madaket Stables. She will join trainer Christophe Clement in the U.S.

“I've bought her for Madaket Stables and some new partners,” de Watrigant said. “She's a lovely filly that is improving with every race. She was third in a listed last month, which leads us to think she has further improvement in her. We're very happy with our purchase.”

Romanosa was one of a trio of mares to hit the six-figure mark late in the session. She was joined by the 4-year-old Grey Mystere (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) (lot 518), who was second in the Listed Grand Criterium de Bourdeaux and was sold in foal for the first time to Too Darn Hot (GB) for €120,000 to Blandford Bloodstock. Her dam, Creamcake (Mr. Greeley), is a half-sister to G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Coquerelle (GB (Zamindar).

Just a few lots later, Dayita (Fr) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 522) from the Aga Khan Studs consignment fetched €105,000 from Emmaroo Bloodstock. The 12-year-old mare is out of the Aga Khan's great producer Daltawa (Ire) (Miswaki), and is therefore a half-sister to Daylami (Ire), Dalakhani (Ire) and the dam of Dalkala (Ire). Each of Dayita's four foals to reach the races are winners, and she was sold in foal to Almanzor.

Philip Lybeck of Haras de Bourgeauville surely felt a sense of pride at Arqana on Saturday evening when Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), the filly he bred and sold for €18,000 as a yearling, sold for €2.5-million as the second-top lot of the sale. Lybeck was in action as a purchaser on Sunday when securing the 7-year-old mare Obedient (GB) (Motivator {GB}) (lot 337) from Haras de la Haie Neuve for €95,000. Obedient is a half-sister to two stakes-placed winners whose third dam is Juddmonte's great blue hen Bahamian-from whom the likes of New Bay (GB), Oasis Dream (GB) and Kingman (GB) all stem. Obedient, who produced a colt foal by Intello this year, was sold in foal to Hello Youmzain (Ire), the Group 1-winning son of Kodiac (GB) who stood his first season at Haras d'Etreham this year.

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12.50 Bordeaux-le-Bouscat, Debutantes, €18,000, 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2fT
PROMENEUR (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the latest progeny out of the Wertheimers' G2 Prix de Royallieu winner Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}) to race for the operation, with the Christophe Ferland-trained chestnut being a full-brother to the G1 Prix Vermeille winner Left Hand (GB) and a half to last year's G1 Prix Jean Romanet third Romanciere (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). He encounters a trio from the Jean-Claude Rouget stable including Antonio Caro's Campello (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), whose dam is a half to this year's G2 Prix du Gros-Chene winner Pradaro (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}).

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TDN: Robert, Shaman is the first son of Shamardal to stand at Yeomanstown Stud. Why was it important for you to have a son of his join the roster?

ROC: Shamardal has been such a sensational sire for a number of years and obviously has some very good sire sons like Lope de Vega (Ire). We have been trying hard for a number of years to acquire a son of Shamardal, but it hasn’t been easy. That’s why we are extremely excited to get Shaman. The sire line is just so prolific.

TDN: He was a sound, tough racehorse. What were some of his best races?

ROC: He was a top-class performer at two, three and four. He won his debut at two and was third in a Group 3 before running a credible race in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. As a 3-year-old he won two Guineas trials, including the G3 Prix la Force. That was when he really caught our attention. He went on to finish second in the [Poule d’Essai des Poulains]–which is a real stallion-making race–behind Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). It was a huge turning point and really made us try hard to acquire the horse.

At four, he got even better again, with a win in the G2 Prix d’Harcourt, beating future Arc winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). He was a very consistent racehorse, running at the highest level and running with credit in every race.

TDN: How has he settled in at Yeomanstown and what can you tell us about his conformation?

ROC: He is settling in great and he is so easy to deal with. He hasn’t put a foot wrong since he came, nothing fazes him. He’s getting to know his new stablemates, Dark Angel (Ire), Camacho (GB), El Kabeir and Invincible Army (Ire). He walks like a pure champion and he is a beautiful-looking horse. He’s just shy of 16.2hh. He is very correct, has a great shape and great hindquarter to him. If he breeds them like himself, it will make life very easy for us.

TDN: How do you think he fits into the Irish stallion ranks?

ROC: I think he fits in very well to the Irish stallion ranks. He is well priced at €6,000 which gives all breeders a chance to use him. Everyone loves Shamardal and wants to use a son of his and add to that Shaman’s exceptional pedigree and I think he is probably Shamardal’s best value son out there.

TDN: What support have you had from breeders so far?

ROC: He has been going down really well. There are a lot of breeders across Europe keen to use him, with a lot of French breeders booking nominations to him already. A number of high-profile Irish breeders have bought breeding rights in the horse and they’re all very excited to use him. We have a strong broodmare band here too and we will support him strongly with some good mares. We have acquired a few more mares from the sales in the last couple of weeks which will visit him also. Wertheimer et Frere have kept a percentage in the horse and will support him. They’ve got some of the best broodmares in the world and it is a huge advantage for a young stallion going to stud to have their support. Naturally, we are very excited for the season ahead.

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“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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