Images courtesy of Zuzanna Lupa
The opening session of the Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville got off to a strong start on Saturday evening. There was a marked rise in both average and median, with the former being up by 23% at €282,941 and the latter jumping to €230,000 from €170,000 (+35%).
Phoenix Thoroughbreds walked away with the session topper when splashing out €800,000 for Haras d’Etreham’s Galileo (Ire) colt out of multiple Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Steip Amach (Ire) (lot 23).
“He’s a Galileo. People don’t want to hear this but we’re quite proud to get him for €800,000,” said Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ Tom Ludt. “He’s a beautiful colt and we’d love to have a great Galileo colt. To be honest with you we thought he’d cost more so we’re very delighted.”
“When we buy yearlings in Europe we tend to send them over to England,” he said. “We really don’t commit to a trainer at this point; we like to take our time finding trainers so to make a decision on that is way too premature, but we’re hoping we bought a good one.”
Godolphin In Action
Godolphin principal Sheikh Mohammed arrived in Deauville on Friday to join his inspection team of Anthony Stroud and David Loder, and he ended Saturday at the top of the buyers’ table with three yearlings acquired for a total of €1,430,000.
At the head of that trio was lot 68 for €750,000, the second-top lot of the session, a colt by Galileo out of Haras de la Perelle’s dual Group 2 winner Cladocera (Ger).
Stroud said, “He’s a lovely yearling, very athletic. He has a wonderful sire and is from a very good family.”
Anthony Stroud
Redvers Gets Fastnet Colt
He may have had to settle for only a share of the limelight rather than top billing but the half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and this season’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was nevertheless one of the leading lights when selling for €700,000.
Unlike the remainder of his family, the colt by Fastnet Rock will not be racing in the colours of Peter Brant but will instead eventually take to the track in the Qatar Racing silks after David Redvers kept onlookers guessing by bidding from the Arqana restaurant.
Henri Bozo and David Redvers
As he signed for lot 21, Redvers said, “He’s out of probably one of the most exciting young mares and represents one of the most exciting crosses. He’s the most gorgeous horse and has a really good temperament—he was walking around there like he owned the place.”
Redvers continued, “I was on the phone to Sheikh Fahad in California, where he is watching proceedings, and I’m thrilled to get a horse like this. He is the type of horse he is now looking for. We’re breeding a lot of our own but we want to fill in the gaps and find these kinds of horses. He’s a world-class horse at a world-class sale. I haven’t had a chance to discuss plans with Sheikh Fahad yet, but one thing is for sure, he will go to a trainer who deserves him.
New Team For HKJC
After the hammer fell at €400,000 (lot 18) for the Frankel (GB) colt out of G3 Prix Eclipse winner Souvenir Delondres (Fr), it was Mick Kinane and his daughter Aisling who signed the ticket on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Kinane, who is buying for the Hong Kong Jockey Club with Crispin de Moubray, later signed for lot 25, Haras d’Etreham’s colt by Muhaarar (GB), at €150,000. His unraced dam Suisesse (Malibu Moon) has already produced the treble stakes winner Sans Equivoque (Fr) (Stormy River {Fr}) among her three winners.
Mick Kinane
