Radcliffe Lands War Front Filly for Best at Arqana

An opening bid of £400,000 isn't a common occurrence in the Doncaster sales ring, but when that hand was played for the War Front  filly out of Beauty Parlor during the relocated July 1 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in Doncaster, it was clear something big was brewing.

However, even such strong-arm tactics weren't enough to secure the sales topper, as Kerri Radcliffe entered the fray at £650,000 (US$806,034) and duly brought the gavel down with a solitary bid.

By the close of trade, 64 of 77 offered lots had sold for a clearance rate of 83%. Those sales brought turnover of £9,004,700 ($11,166,292), an average of £140,698 ($174,473), and a median of £76,000 ($94,244).

The Grove Stud-consigned filly (Lot 224) was bred in the U.S., and now looks set to head back across the Atlantic to join the string of big-spending American owner Larry Best, who races under the OXO Equine banner.

"I'm thrilled to say I've bought her for Larry Best of OXO Equine," said Radcliffe. "I believe this is his first purchase in Europe and I'd say she's off to Saratoga, and I might just go with her if it's the only way I can get back to America.

"Goffs and Arqana have done an amazing job to get the sale on, and the vendors as well for keeping these horses for as long as they have. The same goes for Tattersalls last week, I'm delighted for everybody that it's gone so well."

Radcliffe expanded on how her connection with Best came about.

"Since I've been buying in America I got in contact with Larry and said if I ever saw something exceptional I'd get in touch with him, and this filly is exceptional," she said. "She's an absolute queen, I think everyone can see that. She breezed well, is by a great sire, and has a great pedigree. She's been so professional while she's been on the sales ground."

The strength of trade witnessed during the Goffs UK session continued into the Arqana sale, though Radcliffe said the War Front filly possessed so much quality that she'd expected to have to go further to secure her.

"I thought we might have to go to a lot more but we got her on one bid," she said. "The sale has been very strong today, that's why I thought she'd cost a lot more. I'm delighted to get her though, I hope she works out and we get to buy more in Europe for Larry."

The filly is out of the grade 3-winning Elusive Quality mare Beauty Parlor, whose family traces back to the likes of Rothmans International (G1T) and Cheveley Park Stud Sun Chariot Stakes (G2) winner Infamy. She was pinhooked by Brendan Holland of Grove Stud, who gave $185,000 for Wednesday's sales topper at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

"It's good trade," said Holland. "It's a great result and that should help square some of the problems we've had along the way this year. We're eternally optimistic but you wouldn't want to think too far ahead in this game, or overthink things."

Grove Stud has now sold the top lot at the last two renewals of the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, with Prix du Jockey Club (G1) contender Ocean Atlantique selling to Coolmore for €1.1 million ($1,235,850) last May.

Coleman Gets the Boss

The second-top lot came late in the piece when Matt Coleman, standing outside by the parade ring, outbid Anthony Stroud for the Street Boss  colt (Lot 354) offered by Malcolm Bastard at £620,000 ($768,832). The half brother to the listed-winning Crystalle is now set to begin his racing career with leading Hong Kong trainer John Size.

"He's been bought for John Size so he'll do his pre-training in the UK and then head out to Hong Kong," said Coleman. "We heard about the horse a while ago and Malcolm has a huge opinion of him. He's a beautiful horse and he breezed great, I just hope he's lucky."

When asked for his reflections on trade, Coleman said: "Very encouraging. It's been surprisingly good as we were all a bit fearful that it would be tricky but it's been extremely strong. It's great for the industry."

The colt was pinhooked by Wycombe House from the Keeneland September Sale at $120,000.

"He was bought in America and I have a share in him," Bastard said. "He just wanted a bit of time but he's always been a very nice horse. He's a beautiful mover and has plenty of pace. He's always stood out at home."

Collins in Clover

Fresh from topping the Craven Sale with a 575,000-guineas son of Night of Thunder, Johnny Collins of Brown Island Stables enjoyed another big result Wednesday when Jamie McCalmont signed for the Exceed And Excel colt (Lot 240) out of Duquesa at £525,000 ($651,028) on behalf of Coolmore's M.V. Magnier.

When asked if he'd expected such a big return on the €43,000 ($47,314) pinhook, a visibly stunned Collins replied: "Not quite. I bought him last September in Fairyhouse. He's a beautiful horse, I've been lucky enough to put some good horses through my hands but it doesn't happen every year.

"I thought we had a strong bunch of horses this year and they're proving that when they gallop. I'll be honest now, I've had a lot of sleepless nights along the way."

McCalmont was back in action later in the session when he went to £450,000 ($558,024) for the American Pharoah  colt out of Rare Cat offered by Mocklershill (Lot 318).

"He's been bought for Marc Chan, who's based in Hong Kong but is Canadian born," said McCalmont. "This is the first horse he's going to have in training in England. He's also just purchased The Summit, who'll be running in the French Derby on Sunday.

"Willie Browne had always really liked this colt. He's by American Pharoah, who's a great stallion, and we're looking for more of a 3-year-old type than a sprinter. Hopefully he'll be a mile-and-a-quarter horse next year."

The colt, a half brother to grade 2 winner and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) runner-up Om , was another pinhook to bring a handsome profit, having been sourced from the Keeneland September Sale at a cost of $170,000.