The third and final session of the Deauville August Yearling Sale saw 131 yearlings change hands (78.4%) for a total of €10,626,000 (+9%) and an average price of €81,115 (+14%). Trade remained fiercely competitive thanks to a highly international buying bench, with agents and trainers representing interests from America, Qatar, France, the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia featuring on the list of purchasers. 8 yearlings commanded prices in excess of €200,000 while only one had achieved the feat last year, and the highest price reached €450,000, a figure that had never been seen on the final day of the August sale.
On a busy day for Al Shaqab Racing, Charles Gordon-Watson added lot 324, a colt by Invincible Spirit from the draft of Ecurie des Monceaux, to his shopping list for €250,000. The bay is out of the Stakes-winning mare Precocious Star, herself a half-sister to the E.P. Taylor Stakes victrix Lahaleeb, form the 'Cheveley Park' family of Exclusive and Virtual.
A Dutch Art colt from a buoyant German family commanded a final bid of €450,000 from Bertrand Le Metayer. Yet another from the draft of Ecurie des Monceaux, he is the second foal out of the winning mare Nuit Polaire (Kheleyf), whose first progeny ELOMBO (Elusive City) won impressively at Deauville a few days ago, only to be disqualified past the post. Nuit Polaire is also closely related to NIGHTFLOWER, who ran second in the Gr.1 Preis der Diana since the catalogue was printed, and NUTAN, who took the Gr.1 Deutsches Derby also after the catalogue was published.
He is a great colt who looks precocious, and the family is going places, said Le Metayer.
Nicolas de Watrigant, bidding in company with the latest addition to Britain's training ranks Richard Hughes, went to €260,000 for lot 308, a filly by Dark Angel offered by Ecurie des Monceaux. She is the first foal out of the unraced Nepali Princess, a half-sister to one of Al Shaqab's most exciting juveniles in SHALAA, winner of the Gr.2 July Stakes and Gr.2 Richmond Stakes since the catalogue was printed. Shalaa is now expected to start in next Sunday's Prix Morny.
A racy colt from the first crop of Flying Childers Stakes winner Requinto offered by Coulonces Consignment reached €320,000 on a bid by Amanda Skiffingont, with Nicolas de Watrigant among the underbidders. The strapping bay is the second foal out of the unraced mare Narva, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Musidora Stakes runner-up Gold Bubbles.
I bought her for Mrs. Carmichael for whom I had bought Toronado at this sale, and he will also go into training with Richard Hannon, commented Skiffington.
An emotional Anna Drion explained,
We bought the dam cheaply in Sweden without even seeing her, because I just loved the page and the fact that she was a sister to Gold Bubbles. Then in the winter we were looking at stallions in Ireland and we fell in love with Requinto, we thought he was just the best moving horse we'd ever seen. From the outset, the plan was to breed to him and bring a nice moving yearling to the August sale, but we would never have expected that price, she added.
David Redvers got the last word over French trainers Jean-Claude Rouget and Carlos Lerner for lot 284, a colt by Dark Angel consigned by Haras d'Etreham. He is the first foal out of the winning mare Lexi The Princess, a half-sister to the Stakes winning juvenile PATIENCE ALEXANDER, from the family of last year's Gr.2 Queen Mary Stakes heroine Anthem Alexander.
He is a precocious colt who looks like a speedy type, exactly what his pedigrees shays he should be, said Redvers. I think the price we paid for him was quite right. He will very likely come back to France to be trained.
A colt by Holy Roman Emperor from one of the finest families developped at Haras de la Louvière, that of Classic winning siblings LATICE and LAWMAN, commanded a final bid of €210,000 from Charlie Liverton. The agent was acting on behalf of Robin Geffen, of Arctic Cosmos fame, and outbid Charles Gordon-Watson in the process.
He is a nice colt from a wonderful family, said Liverton. I bought the half-sister by Iffraaj last year and she is training with John Gosden, where she will soon be joined by this fellow
A great start to the day continued for Haras de Grandcamp and the Aga Khan Stud's Siyouni as lot 224, a filly out of the Diesis mare Byre Bird, made €320,000 on a bid from Nicolas de Watrigant, acting on behalf of Al Shaqab.
She is a gorgeous filly by a great sire, and looks a precocious type, said Watrigant. She comes from a solid American family and will stay in training in France.
Lot 200 was yet another member of Ecurie des Monceaux's draft to achieve six figures when selling for €200,000 to Charles Gordon-Watson on behalf of Al Shaqab. The colt is from the first crop of Newsells Park Stud's Nathaniel and has Kirsten Rausing's blue-hen mare Alruccaba, ancestress of Aussie Rules, Allgretto and Alborada to name only a few, as second dam.
He will stay in France and race for Al Shaqab, stated Gordon-Watson. I like Nathaniel very much, I think he'll make a great sire. This is a lovely, good moving horse.
Alex Solis and Jason Litt, accompanied with owner Larry Roth, went up to €250k to buy lot 195 from Haras de Grandcamp, relegating Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International to the underbidder role. This filly is a Siyouni half-sister to the Listed winner and Gr.1 E.P. Taylor Stakes runner-up ODELIZ.
She was a beautiful filly, said Litt. We like Siyouni, we've bid on several of his yearlings but this is the first we are managing to buy. She will now go to America. The price was right in our bracket.
Incredibly strong trade on day 2 of the August Yearling Sale resulted in an increase in all key indicators for the Part 1 of the catalogue, comprising the first two nights. On Sunday only, 71 yearlings sold from 85 offered (84%) grossing a whopping €20,515,000 million, a record aggregate for a single session at this sale, and averaged €288,944. Overall, turnover for Part 1 reached €31,707,000, up 9.8% from 2014, while the average price progressed 6.4% at €245,791. The clearance rate was 78%, slightly down from 81% last year.
Bertrand Le Métayer acting on behalf of Al Shahania outbid Tony Nerses and Michael Wallace at €1.4 million for lot 185, a colt by Invincible Spirit out of Vedela - herself a daughter of Vadawina, dam of the €950,000 Redoute's Choice colt (lot 182)
This colt has everything we look for in a horse, said Le Métayer. He is by the sire of the moment and has an amazing walk. He will stay in training in France.
Late in the evening, John Ferguson bought a third yearling by Redoute's Choice in lot 182, a colt out of the Gr.1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Vadawina, whose progeny already includes the Gr.2 winner Vadamar and Listed scorer Vedouma. Offered by Haras d'Etreham, the bay was knocked down for €950,000. Justin Casse was the underbidder.
Lot 175, a colt by popular sire Invincible Spirit commanded a closing bid of €700,000 from Shadwell's Angus Gold. Consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux and bred in partnership with Lady O'Reilly, he is a half-brother to no less than two Group 1 winners in Most Improved and Ectot.
Lot 147, a colt from the first Northern Hemisphere crop by Australian supersire Redoute's Choice, was yet another yearling to join John Ferguson's shopping list when selling for €660,000. Offered by Haras des Capucines, the bay is out of a half-sister to the 6-time Gr.1 winner Stacelita (Monsun). The Godolphin representative currently leads the buyers' standings with 10 purchases over the first two days for a cumulated €5.9 million.
Lot 127, a Frankel filly closely related to the sale-topping Dubawi colt, commanded a final bid of €1.15 million from Charles Gordon-Watson after a protracted duel against Bertrand Le Metayer. The bay offered by Ecurie des Monceaux is a half-sister to the Gr.3 winner Pacifique, whose first foal posted a new record when selling for €2.6 million a few minutes earlier.
She is for a new client and will go into training with Ed Dunlop, but she is also a breeding porpect in the long run, said Gordon-Watson. As you saw the colt [lot 119] sold for so much money but it is the most active family in the stud book, it's all happening down to the third dam.
Lot 125, a colt from the first crop of Frankel out of the unraced Montjeu mare Piping, a half-sister to the Arc winner Sagamix, was knocked down for €750,000 to Tony Nerses acting on behalf Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud. He was another offered by Ecurie des Monceaux.
I loved him as a whole, said Nerses, who bought last year's top price at €1.2 million for the same connections.He was the best Frankel in the sale and I think we paid the right price for him. We'll take him home to Blue Diamond Stud and decide on his future.
Lot 119, a colt from the dominant draft of Ecurie des Monceaux, smashed the 13-year-old record of €2 million for a yearling sold at the Deauville August sale when going the way of John Ferguson for €2.6 million. The dark bay is the first foal out of the Montjeu mare Pacifique, a Gr.3 winner and half-sister to Stakes winner Prudenzia, the dam of Classic heroine Chicquita.
Sheikh Mohammed really wanted this horse and I just do my job. He was a remarkable athlete who has improved tremendously over the last two months, and by the best stallion in the world.
Coolmore, Roger Varian, David Redvers and Oliver St Lawrence were also in action on the colt.
Very happy to have bought the Frankel x Piping colt @InfoArqana http://t.co/fuMcYj63bQ
Having been responsible for the dearest lot on the opening night, the combination of Shamardal as sire and John Ferguson as buyer struck again early on day 2 with lot 107 offered by Haras de Grandcamp selling for €350,000. The filly is the first foal out of the Gr.1 Prix du Cadran victrix Molly Malone, from the distant family of Monsun and recent Gr.3 Prix Chloe scorer Wekeela.
John Ferguson had to go to €250,000 to get the final nod on lot 98, a colt from the first crop of former French Champion 2yo Rio De La Plata. Offered by Haras du Logis, where the son of Rahy stands, the colt if a half-brother to a pair of black type winning juveniles in MAKE IT REEL, who took the L. Prix Yacowlef first time out, and TOURNY, who won the Gr.3 Prix de Cabourg after the catalogue was printed. A delighted Ferguson stated,
Rio De La Plata was the most outstandingly tough and soundest racehorse that we've had in training, everyone at Godolphin loved him. So to come here and find one of the best yearlings in the catalogue by the sire is just the perfect fit. He's also got a great pedigree being a half-brother to two Stakes winning juveniles, we're really thrilled to have him.
Two lots from the end of proceedings, lot 92 a filly from the first Northern Hemisphere crop of Redoute's Choice attracted a final bid of €350k from Mayfair Speculators, acting in association with Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock. Offered by Elevage de Tourgeville, she is a half-sister to the Group winning juvenile Loi.
Redoute's Choice needs no introduction, he has a fantastic record in the Southern Hemisphere and we think that he is still a little underexposed here. He produced a very good horse when he produces a good one, notably Majmu who was Champion 3yo filly in South Africa
Offered by Ballylinch Stud, lot 89 caused a late bidding war that ultimately opposed Michael Wallace for the China Horse Club to John Ferguson. It was the latter who prevailed at €720K for the second foal out of Lavande Violet (Hurricane Rune), a half-sister to dual Classic hero Lope de Vega.
He is by an extraordinary sire, who produces so many Gr.1 winners at so many different levels, commented Ferguson. He is also a very nice individual out of a half-sister to Lope de Vega, who had the Dewhurst winner in his first crop. The combination of a nice young mare and a highly exciting sire - it all fits. We saw him in May and he has continued to thrive since.
Lot 78 from Haras des Capucines, a colt by Holy Roman Emperor out of a half-sister to Hearthstead Maison, was secured by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for €320k.
He looks the spitting image of Designs On Rome and Holy Roman Emperor has a lot of success in Hong Kong, said Mark Richards. There was a lot of interest in this colt and we are delighted to get him.
Ted Voute signed the docket at €380k for lot 77, an Oasis Dream filly out of the Sadler's Wells mare Jane Eyre, a half-sister to All At Sea who added another Listed win to her name since the catalogue was printed. This is the stellar family of Albanova, Alborada, Dragon Dancer etc.
I bought her for Prince Faisal, for whom I bought [subsequent Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes hero] Belardo here, said Voute. This is a very prolific family developed by Kirsten Rausing, and this filly will have a significant residual value. She is also eligible for the French premiums but she will go back to England first and Prince Faisal will decide on a trainer - the only trainer we have in France is André Fabre.
Lot 59 from Haras d'Etreham, the first foal out of the Dansili mare Fire Lily who won three Gr.3 races and ran 2nd in the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac, went the way of Hubie de Burgh for €410K.
There is a lot of speed in the family and the dam was a very good racemare, commented the agent. She is also bred on the magic Galileo / Danehill cross.
Invincible Spirit was yet again to the fore as lot 50 from Ecurie des Monceaux, the third foal out of the Listed winner Dubai Rose was knocked down for €550K to Markus Jooste of Mayfair Speculators. Manager Derek Brugman stated,
She is a very high quality filly and we like Dubai Destination as a broodmare sire. We bought the Monsun half-sister for €650,000 here last year, she is in training with Nicolas Clément and we think she is a decent filly so we wanted to get back into the family.
Hubie de Burgh outbid Charles Gordon-Watson for lot 44, a filly by 'sire of the night' Invincible Spirit, and offered from the ever-popular draft of Ecurie des Monceaux. She is the first foal out of the black type mare Demurely (Galileo), from the family of Cerulean Sky, Moonstone etc.
I bought her for an existing client who collects top international pedigrees, and this is what we are talking about", said de Burgh, who signed the docket as James Harron/de Burgh Equine. She is a beautiful filly and looks like she could be not only a sprinter
Commenting on the state of the market, the agent added,
The quality of this sale gets better and better and the consignors do a great job. I have bought some very sound horses here, and obviously the exchange rate is an additional attraction.
Lot 41 from Ecurie des Monceaux, the first yearlings to walk through a sales ring, commanded a final bid of €300k from Ross Doyle acting on behalf of Al Shaqab. The colt is out of the Sun Chariot Stakes winner Danceabout.
Richard Powell of Haras du Lieu des Champs started his first consignment at the August Yearling Sale with a bang, selling a colt from the first Northern Hemisphere crop of star Australian sire Redoute's Choice for €450,000 to John Ferguson. The January-born is out of the unraced Copernica (Galileo), a full sister to last year's Beresford Stakes winner David Livingston, himself a half-brother to the great High Chaparral.
Redoute's Choice is a superb stallion in Australia and I can see no reason why he wouldn't repeat this success in the Northern Hemipshere, said Ferguson. He is out of a young mare and the family goes back to High Chaparral.
Asked to compare the European progeny of Redoute's Choice to his Australian stock, Ferguson offered "They are quite similar to the batch he had in Australia. He is such a dominant stallion".
Lot 15, a colt by Invincible Spirit out of a half-sister to Classic heroine Anna Salai from the draft of Ecurie des Monceaux, commanded a final bid of €280,000 from Ting Kong Cheng's Sun Bloodstock. Advisor Dave O'Callaghan commented, "He is by a very good sire who has done very well in Australia. This colt is going to be trained in France by Criquette Head". O'Callaghan indicated that Ting Kong Cheng, who owns Eliza Park International in Australia and whose wife Danielle signed the docket, was keen to start a breeding and racing operation in France.