Records Tumble After Arqana Buying Frenzy

The Arqana December Breeding-Stock Sale enjoyed a record year following a buying frenzy across the four days of trade in Deauville, topped by the two millionaires Frankel Light and Unaided, who sold for €1.3 million (US$1,437,968) and €1.25 million ($1,382,661) respectively.

The average of €49,111 ($53,962) is the highest on record for the auction, up from €48,721 last year, as is the figure for total sales this week of €34,426,500 ($38,474,738) up 3% on last year. There were also a further 12 private sales for total receipts of €358,000 ($396,071).

The median also rose by €1,000 up to €19,000 ($19,916)—the same figure as in 2015 and 2017, showing the consistent demand for high-class breeding prospects at the final sale held in Deauville each year.

Of the 918 lots offered this week, 701 changed hands—18 more than last year—for a solid 76% clearance rate, the same as in 2018. 

There was plenty of competition for the National Hunt lots on offer during the fourth and final session Dec. 10 with the six-figure session-topper A Mi Manera set to travel to Ireland where she will reside as a broodmare.

Bidding against Bertrand Le Metayer, Nicolas Bertran de Balanda emerged on top with a winning bid of €120,000 ($132,772).

"She's a lovely filly with lots of class," said De Balanda. "She was very consistent during her racing career and has a lovely pedigree. She'll go to stud in Ireland."

The 6-year-old Great Pretender mare, who ran in the colors of group 1-winning flat trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, has established herself among the best jumps mares in France, and she recorded her biggest win for trainer Francois Nicolle in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Compiegne (G2) in November last year. 

A Mi Manera was bought as a store for €40,000 ($44,564) by Nicolle at the 2015 Arqana Summer Sale, and this was her third turn through the Deauville sale ring, having also gone unsold for €4,000 ($5,496) as a foal. 

The talented mare also took the Prix André Michel (G3) hurdle at Auteuil, and is very well bred as a half sister to the talented Fix Le Kap from the family of the excellent Kotkijet, Kotkita, and Kotkikova. 

Great Pretender, a stakes-winning son of King's Theatre on the flat and over jumps, has nine progeny with a Racing Post Rating of 150 or greater, among those the grade 1 scorers Great Field and Benie Des Dieux.

Dam of Douvan Destined for Westmeath

Among the most high-profile offerings on day four was Star Face, the dam of the exceptional chaser Douvan, and Avanguardia, the mother of the surprise Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Labaik, with both mares in foal in Doctor Dino.

Star Face was offered in foal on an early cover to Doctor Dino by Haras d'Haspel on behalf of Tunisian breeder Lotfi Kohli, and was purchased by County Westmeath breeder Cyril O'Hara of Ennel Bloodstock for €62,000 ($68,599) through Five-Star Bloodstock Transport. 

"We'll see what the Doctor Dino is like anyway," said O'Hara. "It'll be born nice and early, please God, and we'll work from there. She's due the fifth of February. 

"She's a lovely mare and her first foal was Douvan. She hasn't had that many foals and is a fresh mare, and hopefully her 3-year-old and yearling colt by Walk In The Park can do the business for the mare."

O'Hara maintains a strong National Hunt broodmare band including Hollygrove Samba, the dam of Challow Novices' Hurdle winner Captain Cutter, and A Plus Ma Puce, whose six runners have all been winners, including the Tom Lacey-trained Tea Clipper, who won for the third time under rules at Huntingdon on Sunday. 

Avanguardia was picked up by Pascale Menard for €18,000 ($19,916), while her Doctor Dino colt foal, who followed her into the ring, went the way of Henri-Francois Devin for €22,000 ($24,342). 

Au Naturelle

Another pricey purchase on the day was the Alain Couetil-trained Naturelle, who went the way of Frederic Sauque for €85,000 ($94,047).

Offered by Haras du Mezeray, the 4-year-old daughter of Martaline visited Authorized for her maiden cover in April. 

"I wanted to buy one of the last mares in foal to Authorized," said Sauque. "She's one of the last Martalines as well, who only has a few crops left. She's showed plenty of class, is well bred, and a very good-looking mare, and she's been bought for an existing client."

The gray mare has won twice over hurdles in France and finished seventh to Band of Outlaws in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (G3) at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The 2007 Derby hero Authorized—sire of dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll—is expected to take up stallion duties in Turkey for the 2020 breeding season. 

Figures

The final day of trade saw 122 of the 184 lots offered find new homes for a 66% clearance rate—down 4% year-on-year—and total sales of €2,308,500 ($2,557,290)—which declined by 24%.

The average also took a hit, falling by 24% to €19,000 ($20,458), while the median dropped by €5,000 to €10,000 ($11,064).