Cover image courtesy of Arqana
By TDN Europe
After Saturday's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein hero Ridari (Churchill) (Lot 56) was among those who failed to find a buyer, it was another key runner from that card, Rabbit's Foot (Lot 51), who took top billing at the Arqana Arc Sale, just a few short hours after the daughter of Golden Horde had finished third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu at ParisLongchamp.
Offered by trainer Francois Rohaut, Rabbit's Foot was already a Listed winner at Toulouse and had finished third in both the G2 Prix de Malleret and G3 Prix Lady O'Reilly, before adding that all-important Group 1 to her record in the Prix de Royallieu. That was enough to capture the imagination of Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock, who stretched to €625,000 (AU$1.1 million) to secure the filly when she went under the hammer at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.
Rabbit's Foot is one of four winners from as many runners out of the unraced Harem Mistress (Mastercraftsman), with the others including last year's G2 Prix d'Harcourt hero and G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes second Zarakem (Zarak), another previous graduate of the Arc Sale when fetching €500,000 (AU$888,000) in 2023.
Of the 39 lots offered at this year's Arc Sale, 23 sold (59%) for a total of €6,240,000 (AU$11 million). The average was €271,304 (AU$482,000) and the median was €255,000 (AU$453,000).
Top lots go unsold in 2025
Unlike last year when Ramadan (Le Havre) topped the sale at €1.5 million (AU$2.7 million) and was one of four horses to change hands for a seven-figure sum, the six most expensive horses to go through the ring on Saturday were all led out unsold. They included the aforementioned Ridari at €950,000 (AU$1.7 million), who had emulated Ramadan by winning the Prix Daniel Wildenstein earlier in the afternoon, plus Andre Fabre's 2-year-old Seneque (Zarak) (Lot 45), who was bought back at €1.2 million (AU$2.1 million).
City Of Light pair make good money
Haras d'Etreham stallion City Light was responsible for a pair of €500,000 (AU$888,000) lots, namely the G3 Prix de Guiche second Al Aali (Lot 22) and Listed winner Relaxx (Lot 40).
Lucie Pontoir's Al Aali, who was beaten just a short head last time in the Listed La Coupe de Marseille, was picked up by Billy Jackson-Stops on behalf of George Scott's Eve Lodge Stables, while Relaxx, a daughter of the G3 Prix Saint-Roman scorer Texaline (Kaldoun), went the way of Mandore International and Miguel Clement. She finished Group 3-placed for the fourth time in her career when third in last month's Prix Bertrand de Tarragon.
“I've bought him for Fawzi Nass, who really liked his profile,” Scott said of Al Aali, with the trainer still on a high after saddling Caballo De Mar to win the G1 Prix du Cadran. “Winning my first Group 1 and having the opportunity to buy such a horse has made this a very special day.”
Australian buyers active
The Aga Khan Studs draft featured the dual Group 3 winner Zabiari (Lot 43), who finished fifth when also contesting ParisLongchamp's Prix Daniel Wildenstein for his owner-breeder. The 4-year-old son of Wootton Bassett was purchased by Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) for €460,000 (AU$817,000).
“He's a lovely horse who is well-bred and has been trained to perfection,” Le Metayer said of Zabiari. “I think he has everything to become a Group winner in Australia and that's what we hope. We're very happy.”
Henry Dwyer paid €200,000 (AU$355,000) for Lot 6, Listed winner Grecian Destiny (Masar). The 3-year-old colt has won three of his seven starts this year and was unraced at two. He won the Listed Prix Millkom at his most recent start in August.
Leading vendor goes to Wertheimer et Frere
Wertheimer et Frere, on the eve of Aventure (Sea The Stars) and Sosie (Sea The Stars) bidding to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, emerged as the leading vendor with four horses selling for a total of €980,000 (AU$1.7 million). They were headed by the Listed winner and G3 Prix des Chenes third Cacofonix (Lope De Vega) (Lot 17), a BBA Ireland purchase at €460,000 (AU$817,000).
