On the third and final session of the Autumn Sale, the last of the year dedicated to yearlings, 121 youngsters changed hands for a total of €943,500 and an average price of €7,798.
Trade was dominated by a grey daughter of Air Chief Marshall (lot 491), who was secured by MAB Agency for €43,000. She is out of the black type mare Fenella’s Link, who has already produced a Group performer and hails from a solid family.
I have bought her for Claire Stephenson, who is very fond of grey horses, and she will be trained locally by Georges Doleuze”, commented Marc-Antoine Berghgracht. She is a lovely filly with a great page, and out of a Linamix mare.”
The filly formed part of the first draft brought to a sales ring by the new venture Haras de Castillon, which is operated by Haras de Bouquetôt manager Benoît Jeffroy and his partner Annabelle Aimé. Castillon offered 9 yearlings at the Autumn Sale and all of them sold. They were headed by a son of Saint Des Saints who was knocked down for €90,000 to Guillaume Macaire yesterday.
Overall, the Autumn Sale recorded record figures across the board, with 418 horses selling for €8,295,000, almost 9% clear of the 2014 total, which was already a record. The sale’s aggregate has grown consistently since it was reformatted in 2011 to incorporate the former December Yearling Sale and relocated to Deauville from its previous Saint-Cloud base. The 2015 average price reached €19,844, a 10.2% gain on 2014. With 37 more horses offered, the clearance rate dropped 6% yet remained at a satisfactory 75%.
Read the 2015 yearling sales assessment
The solid trade that saw horses in training and stores bring record figures on day 1 of the Autumn Sale carried on to the yearlings on day 2, when 132 individuals sold for an aggregate of €2,419,500, a 20.3% jump from 2014. The average price was €18,330, up 17.5%, while the clearance rate, the only indicator to slip, remained at a satisfactory 71%. Throughout the day, 15 yearlings changed hands for €40,000 or more against 7 a year ago.
A chesnut son of the ever-popular Martaline commanded a final bid of €70,000 from Royan-based trainer François Nicolle. Bred and consigned by Jean-Pierre and Guillaume Garçon's Haras de l'Hotellerie, the colt is a half-brother to the talented ROI MAGE (Poliglote), trained by Nicolle for Ecurie Sagara. Roi Mage ran 3rd in the Gr.2 Prix Congress at Auteuil after the catalogue was printed and was retained by his connections for €270,000 yesterday.
He is a nice strong colt with a good walk, commented Nicolle. We'll know if we were right when he runs first past the post!
Having bought the promising three-year-old Discours D'Un Roi, a son of Vision d'Etat who added a second victory over hurdles for Guillaume Macaire after the catalogue was printed, for €105,000 yesterday, the Highflyer team returned to the well the next day, shelling out €70,000 for the yearling half-brother by Poliglote. Offered by Haras des Granges, the colt hails from the distant family of Classic heroine PURE GRAIN.
David Minton and Dai Walters had to work hard to fight off the determined challenges of Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Paul Basquin, but they ultimately prevailed for a stamped son of Kapgarde out of Not Lost. This daughter of Lost World may have failed to make it to the races, but she is tremendously well-bred, being a full sister the Gr.1-winning hurdler and successful sire NICKNAME, as well as Gr.3 winner NOM DE D'LA. Other siblings include the top-class hurdlers N'AVOUE JAMAIS, NOM D'UNE PIPE and Gr.3 winner on the flat NO RISK AT ALL.
A delighted Minton commented after congratulating Noëlle Hosselet of Haras de la Croix Sonnet, who bred and offered the colt:
We were underbidder on the Martaline colt last year [who sold for €150,000 to Jonjo O'Neill at this same sale] so we've always liked the family, and we thought that this was an exceptionnal horse. He will race for the same partnership, Dai Walters and James Potter, as our other purchases today.
Paul Basquin showed his support to the King's Theatre stallion Great Pretender, who recently returned to Haras de la Hêtraie following a season at Yorton Farm Stud. Having signed for lot 367 at €55,000, he forked out €52,000 for another of his sons, this time offered by Eric Lhermite's Haras de Grandcamp.
The dark brown is a half-brother to the leading 3-year-old chaser FRODON, who ran 4th in the Gr.2 Prix Congress for Guillaume Macaire after the catalogue was printed.
He is a good-looking horse with a flaterring color and a nice frame. There is plenty happening in the pedigree, which makes him an exciting prospect, stated Basquin.
After selling a €40,000 colt by Saddex in the early part of the sale, Pascale Ménard's Haras du Mâ ended the day in even better fashion with the sale of a €105,000 son of Saint Des Saints to Highflyer Bloodstock, who outbid Xavier Papot in the process.
The colt is out of the winning Mansonnien mare Minirose, who has been bred to the leading French NH sire five times to date. Her initial mating produced the top class hurdler IRISH SAINT, three times a winner at Grade 2 level over hurdles and fences. David Minton signed the docket on behalf of Dai Walters, who knows the family well as he explained.
We bought the three-year-old full brother [named Dark Invader] at this sale two years ago and were underbidder on the full sister last year so we are thrilled to be taking this one home.
Edwige Le Métayer's Haras du Buff offered a colt by Great Pretender, the sire of Ptit Zig among many other NH luminaries, who was knocked down for €55,000 to Paul Basquin's Haras du Saubouas. The colt is out of the Listed-placed hurdler Manson Teene (Mansonnien), who has already produced two smart hurdlers in Poly Teen and Turteene.
He is a handsome horse with a beautiful, feline walk, commented Basquin who operates Haras du Saubouas in the South West of France. I like the cross very much and the pedigree offers some solid guarantees.
A son of the leading jumps sire Saint Des Saints attracted interest from owner Jean-Pierre Raymond, agent Guy Petit and pre-trainer Paul Basquin, but they were all outbid by the man who trained Saint Des Saints himself, Guillaume Macaire, who got the last word at €90,000.
Offered by Haras de Castillon, the colt is the second foal out of the Listed performer over hurdles Magic Poline, from the family of multiple Gr.3 winner Loulia.
A filly from the first crop of the well-bred stallion No Risk At All, who stands at Haras de Montaigu, was knocked down for €55,000 to David Minton of Highflyer Bloodstock acting on behalf of Dai Walters and James Potter. The latter recently bought the promising stallion Blue Bresil to stand at Yorton Farm Stud. Blue Bresil previously stood at Haras de la Croix Sonnet, just a stone's throw from the ARQANA sales complex, where this filly was born and raised.
Dai Walters, chairman of Ffos Lass racecourse, already owns the Gr.1 Liverpool Hurdle winner WHISPER, a half-brother to this filly.
I have been looking for a filly from the same family as Whisper, the Welshman commented. This is a good farm and we are delighted to have secured this filly.
A son of the Sadler's Wells stallion Saddex offered by Pascale Menard's Haras du Mâ got trade off to a strong start when commanding €40,000 from Toby Jones. The colt is from the family of multiple Gr.1 winner LONG RUN as well as group/Listed winning hurdlers FULL OF AMBITION, AUBISQUE, FULL JACK etc.
He is a beautiful colt who has many champions on his page. Plans are not definite yet but he will ship to Ireland first, commented the agent.
The first day of the 2015 Autumn Sale, dedicated to horses in training and two-year-old stores, posted a record turnover of 4,965,000€, up 10,37% from last year’s already record-setting session, and also saw the AQPS CHIRICO VALLIS set a new record price for a NH prospect at this sale when commanding €355,000 from Hubert Barbe. A total of 168 horses changed hands, a buoyant 81%, for an average price of €29,701, up 11% from 2014.
The Ecurie Drost colour-bearer DREAM BERRY, a winner over the Auteuil hurdles last time out for Etienne Leenders, was the center of a bidding duel involving Highflyer Bloodstock and Hubert Barbe. Barbe placed the winning bid of €205,000 for the son of Dream Well, who ran 5th on his only start on the flat and 3rd at Enghien on his hurdling debut.
He is gorgeous horse who really caught the eye when winning at Auteuil on his latest outing, commented Barbe. It is the sort of prices you have to pay for such a quality prospect. He is for an existing client but I am unsure whether he will be trained in the UK or in Ireland.
The three-year-old AQPS CHIRICO VALLIS, proved to be the pick of the sale for both Harold Kirk and Hubert Barbe, and the agents battled on strongly until Barbe closed the deal with a bid of €355,000, the highest-price ever paid for a jumping prospect at this sale.
The sculptural son of Poliglote ran 2nd on both his starts to date, over a mile-and-a-half and beyond, under the guidance of Senonnes-based trainer Laurent Viel.
He is a most exciting horse for the future, commented Barbe. I have bought him for an existing client in the UK. We will rest him over the winter to give him time to fill him frame, then start him off over hurdles.
OMESSA HAS, a three-year-old daughter of Martaline who was placed on four occasions at Listed levels over hurdles, commanded a final bid of €150,000 from Highflyer Bloodstock. The grey has done little wrong to date, winning at Auteuil over hurdles and finishing in the money on all her seven other outings, including twice over fences.
Her form is very good and she looks an exciting chaser. She will be trained by Nicky Henderson, commented Anthony Bromley.
Leading three-year-old hurdler MOCALACATO HAS, a good 5th in the Gr.1 Prix Cambacérès at Auteuil November 8 since the catalogue was printed, was the centre of a protracted duel between Seamus Murphy and Chantilly-based dual purpose trainer Robert Collet, who was bidding from the restaurant. Collet finally got the last word at €260,000 for the son of Poliglote, who has never finished further than 5th from eight starts this season.
Prior to his Cambacérès run, Mocalacato Has had won the Listed Prix Wild Monarch on only his 2nd start, before placing on two more occasions in Listed company and running 3rd in the Gr.2 Prix Georges de Talhouët-Roy.
I've already got the best 3-year-old filly over hurdles [Chimere du Berlais, winner of the aforementioned Gr.1 Prix Cambacérès] so now I'll also have the best gelding, commented Collet. It will give me something to look forward to in these troubled times.
The four-year-old REZORBI, a winner of three races both over hurdles and fences from 6 starts to date, was knocked down for €140,000 to Toby Jones of TJ Bloodstock. The son of Zafeen was trained in Royan by François Nicolle and carried the colours of Olivier Peslier's partner Emilie Lafeu.
After outbidding Highflyer Bloodstock, Jones commented:
His last two wins were impressive and I really liked the way he finished. I have bought him for a new client in England.
French-born, British-based agent Joffret Huet signed at €140,000 for JOUEUR BRESILIEN, a gelding from the first crop of Fuisse, from the family of promising NH stallion Blue Bresil. The three-year-old had two outings for Yannick Fouin, taking 5th placed at Auteuil on debut and building on this effort with an eye-catching third at Enghien.
Huet commented:
He is a promising horse that I had seen at the yard after Yannick Fouin recommended him. He is a nice, big strong horse who will make a chaser. I like the way he ran last time out at Enghien. He is for a client of Rebecca Curtis, I believe it is the first time she has been buying at this sale.
The four-year-old AQPS gelding BRELAN D'AS, a winner on the flat and over hurdles from three starts for trainer Patrice Quinton, triggered a spirited bidding battle involving Highflyer Bloodstock, Tom Malone and Hubert Barbe's Horse Racing Advisory. It was the latter who prevailed at €225,000 on behalf of an undisclosed client.
British-born, French-based agent Richard Venn went to €110,000 for AFFAIRE D'HONNEUR, a four-year-old son of Shirocco who was placed at Enghien on both his only start over hurdles to date. The gelding carries the colours of leading jumps venture Ecurie Drost and was offered from the yard of Laurent Viel. He is a half-brother to the Listed-placed hurdler Chiffre d'Affaires as well as to this year's Prix de Diane runner-up Physiocrate.
Standing alongside Lambourn-based trainer Harry Whittington, Venn explained:
I have bought him on behalf of a client of Harry Whittington and we are delighted to have him. He is a great mover and a highly promising horse, I was very impressed with his last run. We'll take him hurdling but he has the frame to make a lovely chaser. The price was as far as we could go.
The André Fabre trainee MEADOW CREEK, a Wild Card addition to the catalogue, attracted a winning bid of €160,000 from Jean-Pierre Deroubaix' F.B.A., relegating Chris Waller to underbidder status. The Prince Faisal colour-bearer was placed on four occasions at Stakes and Pattern level, including runing 3rd in the Gr.3 Grand Prix de Vichy last summer. He achieved a rating of 104 on his latest effort.
Gavin Hernon, who did the bidding on behalf of his boss Jean-Pierre Deroubaix, commented:
He is a lovely horse who will go to Dubai this winter and probably come back to France after the Carnival. He is for an existing client of ours.
A series of Aga Khan Studs offerings triggered consecutive fireworks in the sales ring, with six lots returning €382,000 in under 15 minutes.
Lot 192 ZOURKHAN, a Shamardal half-brother to the great Zarkava as well as multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Zarkandar, commanded a final bid of €90,000 from Chris Waller, bidding over the phone to Olivier Delloye. The leading Australian trainer outbid Hubie de Burgh and Ryan Mahon acting on behalf of Paul Nicholls. Zourkhan opened his account at third asking last month for Alain de Royer Dupré, winning cosily at Saint-Cloud after running placed on both his previous starts.
Lot 193 AMIRVANN, a three-year-old gelding from the yard of Mikel Delzangles, was knocked down for €60,000 to Eric Danel for the same group of owners as his two previous purchases of the day. The son of High Chaparral is a half-brother to the Champion NH Flat Race scorer Aminabad.
Lot 194 CHEREK, a gelded son of Paco Boy who was placed at Group level as a juvenile, will switch to the NH code after going the way of dual purpose trainer Robert Collet for €90,000. The three-year-old had previously been trained by Jean-Claude Rouget.
Also from the stable of Jean-Claude Rouget was lot 195 CAYIRLY, who will also shortly be schooled over jumps after selling to former NH jockey turned trainer Seamus Durack for €80,000. The son of Medicean hails from the family of Clodovil and Colombian. Durack indicated:
This is my first buying trip to France. I underbidder on the half-brother to Solow and am delighted to secure this one. I have bought him for Stephen Tucker and we will race him in flat NH races first.
Final of the quintet was SHENSI (lot 196), a son of Invincible Spirit who lost his maiden tag after the catalogue was printed, having been placed on both his previous starts. He was secured for €62,000 by Chantilly-based trainer Cedric Boutin.
Lot 192 Zourkhan
A regally-bred three-year-old son of Azamour, Visandi commanded a final bid of €125,000 from agent Toby Jones, acting on behalf of an undisclosed client. The gelding ran five times for Jean-Claude Rouget, notching two wins in the provinces and as many places. He is a half-brother to the Group winners on the flat VADAWINA, VADAPOLINA and VAZIRA.
Jones stated:
He is a very nice mover who will make a nice jumper in England. I was reaching the limit of my budget but I wasn't expecting him to sell much cheaper.
The aptly-named Prime Spot highlighted the early part of the Arqana Autumn Sale when selling for €72,000 to Deauville-based trainer Eric Danel. Offered by Wertheimer et Frère from the yard of Carlos Laffon-Parias, the three-year-old gelded son of High Chaparral and High Maintenance is a half-brother to the Champion miler and Cartier Older Horse of the Year SOLOW.
Still unraced when the catalogue was printed, he made his belated debut at Saint-Cloud November 9 and ran an eye-catching 4th.
Danel, who was one of the first trainers to set up in Deauville and notably has horses for Jockey Club member Adrian Pratt and Lord Clinton, commented upon signing the docket:
His debut run was very encouraging. I have bought him for a group of five British friends who are extremely passionate and have had horses with me all along. He will surely have another race before the end of the season, probably here in Deauville during the winter meeting.
Danel also bought lot 118 L'ACCLAMATION for the €40,000 on behalf of the same connections.
