Third in the Prix du Bourbonnais (Gr.2 AQPS) on his debut at Fontainebleau, the Hugo Merienne trained HERCULE POINT was knocked down for €270,000. It was Nicolas Bertran de Balanda (NBB Racing) that had the final say for the son of Network out of the very current family of ECHIQUIER ROYAL, PLAYING and EASY GAME, once more a Grade 2 winner today.
After signing the docket, the agent commented:
We really liked him. He really impressed me on his debut where he ran very well. He’s from a great family. We’ll give him a bit of time now.
An excellent third in the Prix Chaudenay (Gr.2) at ParisLongchamp this afternoon after his win in the Derby du Languedoc (L.) and second in the Prix de Lutèce (Gr.3) earlier this season, STEP BY STEP made €320,000 to Emmanuel de Seroux (Narvick International). The colt was offered from Yann Barberot’s stable.
A little earlier in the evening, the agent had struck for DICK WHITTINGTON (lot 12), also trained by the Deauville handler. Third in the Prix Turenne (L.) on his last start having finished fourth in the Prix Hocquart at Deauville this summer, the three-year-old gelding by War Command was knocked down for €270,000.
Eagerly awaited in the ring, competition to secure VIRGINIA JOY was fierce between Michel Zerolo, Nicolas de Watrigant (Mandore International Agency) and Anne-Sophie Yoh-Benet (YOHEA). It was however the former’s Oceanic Bloodstock that came out on top at €975,000 for the daughter of Soldier Hollow.
Sold with an entry in the EP Taylor Stakes (Gr.1) at Woodbine, the daughter of Soldier Hollow reste most recently finished runner-up in the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis (Gr.2) following her victory in the Mehl-Mülhens-Trophy (Gr.3) and a third in the Preis der Diana (Gr.1) this season.
Entered in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr.1) tomorrow having finished third in the Prix d'Aumale and Prix Six Perfections (Gr.3), COEURSAMBA (The Wow Signal) was subject to considerable interest around the ring before being knocked down for €400,000 to Paul Basquin of Haras de Saubouas on behalf of Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah.
I’ve bought her for Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah, commented Paul Basquin. This was the one we wanted at the sale. My client has had a great experience already with Jean-Claude Rouget thanks to Mission Impassible and would like to work with him again. She has a number of things going for her tomorrow, and should go on the soft ground being out of a mare by Anabaa and her second day by Bering. We’re delighted!
One of the best German fillies of her generation this year, KALIFORNIA QUEEN was knocked down for €260,000 to Hubert Guy. The winner of the Gestüt Röttgen Diana-Trial (Gr.2) this season, the daughter of Lope de Vega finished sixth in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr.1) earlier in the afternoon before going through the ring.
Acting on behalf of American owner Sol Kumin (Madaket Stables), Guy said afterwards,
She’s a real racehorse that has won a Group 2 already, with great acceleration. She’s got a great head and moves well. She ran very well today over a shorter distance and ground that was not to her liking. I’ve bought her for Sol Kumin, and she’ll go to New York to be trained by Chad Brown.