3 minute read
Both average and median up from a year ago
Kerri Radcliffe went to £650,000 to secure a filly by War Front (Danzig), the only lot by the sire in Arqana Breeze Up Sale, on behalf of Larry Best’s Oxo Equine at Doncaster on Wednesday.
Catalogued as Lot 224 from the draft of Grove Stud, the filly is the second foal out of the Group 3 winning mare Beauty Parlor (Elusive Quality). Her second dam is Group 2 winner Moon Queen (Sadler’s Wells) who produced seven winners including The Brother War (War Front), a Listed winning sire, while the filly’s third dam is Group 1 winner and stakes producing mare Infamy (Shirley Heights).
"I am pleased to say that I have bought her for Larry Best's OXO Equine, which I believe is his first European purchase," said Radcliffe.
"She will head to Saratoga but I am not sure who will train. I met Larry at the sales in America and he kept telling me 'ring me when you see something exceptional', so I rang him on Sunday night.
"This filly breezed very well and she has been an absolute queen since, she's been so professional throughout the shows. I am delighted for the vendors, who have done an amazing job keeping the horses so long in such uncertainty."
The sale was a successful pinhook with the filly having been bought for US$185,000 by Brendan Holland of Grove Stud at last year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Two further lots broke the £500,000 barrier with the first of these being a colt by Darley’s Exceed And Excel (Danehill) who was bought by Jamie McCalmont and MV Magnier for £525,000. Offered as Lot 240 the colt is out of the dual winner Duquesa (Intikhab) who has produced two winners including the stakes placed Born To Be (Born To Sea). His second dam is Group 3 winning juvenile Love Of Silver (Arctic Tern).
Later on in the session a colt by fellow Darley sire Street Boss (Street Cry) made £620,000 when bought by Stroud Coleman and John Size and will head to Hong Kong. Catalogued as Lot 354 from the draft of Malcolm Bastard, the colt is out of the Flatter (A P Indy) mare Undowho has produced three winners including the US Listed winner Crystalle (Palace Malice). The colt had been bought for US$120,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
"He is a smashing colt and had been highly recommended by Malcolm," said Matt Coleman.
"I have heard about him for a long time and he came in the ring with a big reputation from a professional who does a very good job. He has been bought for John Size and will race in Hong Kong. He is the only horse I bid on for him today."
A colt by Arrowfield Stud shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) was another lot to sell well when purchased for £460,000 by Trimblestown Stud. The February foaled bay is the first foal out of the French Listed winner Besotted (Dutch Art) who is herself a half-sister to Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Tie Black (Machiavellian). This is also the family of multiple Group 1 winning sire Last Tycoon (Try My Best).
The colt had been bought for €43,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale.
He was catalogued as Lot 225 and sold by Mocklershill.
Demand for the progeny of American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) continued into the Arqana section of the sale when a colt was bought by Jamie McCalmont on behalf of owner Marc Chan for £450,000. Another from the Mocklershill draft the colt, who was catalogued as Lot 318, is out of Rare Cat (Tabasco Cat), the dam of eight winners including multiple Grade 2 winner Om (Munnings).
"He is for a new client, a Hong Kong based, Canadian born business man," said McCalmont.
"He has had a few horses in Hong Kong and is building up a string in Europe as well. This horse will be the first he has in training in the UK and he heads to Simon and Ed Crisford. Willie always liked him and we are looking for three-year-old types to run over a mile and a quarter, which is what he looks like he could be."
Overall during the session 64 of the 77 lots offered were sold for €9,905,170. The average of €154,768 was up 20 per cent on last year’s figure of €129,798 whilst the median rose 11 per cent from €75,000 a year ago to €83,600. The clearance rate was 83 per cent compared to 79 per cent a year ago.
"A few weeks or even days ago, we wouldn't have dared hope for such results," commented Arqana CEO Eric Hoyeau and exective director Freddy Powell.
"It has been a long and winding road with a few pot holes along the way! The dominant feeling is immense relief that this sale, which was initially scheduled almost two months ago, has been allowed to take place and we are thrilled that the vendors are being rewarded for their patience.
"Our heartfelt congratulations go to the pinhookers who have showed unbelievable resilience, maintained their faith in Arqana and Goffs, resisted private offers and adapted the preparation of their horses to the changing circumstances. Sunday's breeze session made a big impression - what a great testimony to the know-how of all these horsemen and women to produce two-year-olds in such physical and mental condition. Today's figures pay a well-deserved tribute to their talent."
