Former leading Hong Kong-based ace Eric Saint-Martin, who started training in Chantilly last season, had to fight off a host of competitors to secure a colt by Soldier of Fortune from the draft of Elevage de Tourgeville. The bay is the fourth foal out of the winning Verglas mare Princess Love, and her first two have already gained some black type. Marc-Antoine Berghgracht, Francis-Henri Graffard and Guillermo Arrizkoreta all jumped in the fray but Saint-Martin was not to be denied and got the last word at €70,000.

I thought I had the budget to buy two yearlings but I was beaten several times. I'd rather focus on quality rather than quantity, so this one will probably end up being my sole purchase. I really fell in love with him, he is a very nice horse out of a mare who has done nothing wrong. He will carry the colours of Alaric de Murga, who has been a great supporter.