Sottsass Sibling Brings €2.1 Million at Arqana Sale

The old saying goes that if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That is precisely what Yoshito Yahagi did at the Arqana August Sale Aug. 14, and as a result he can look forward to training a Siyouni  full brother to Sottsass  who fetched a show-stopping bid of €2,100,000 (US$2,153,766).

A little more than 24 hours earlier, Yahagi filled the role of frustrated underbidder when the Shamardal  colt out of Lady Frankel  fetched €1.6 million ($1,641,539) from Godolphin, but this time around he was clearly determined not to walk away empty-handed.

The auditorium was at full capacity as bloodstock industry heavyweights and a horde of curious racegoers squeezed into the Deauville sales ring to see Ecurie des Monceaux's latest offering out of the blue hen mare Starlet's Sister .

In just a few turns of the sandy showing ring in front of the rostrum the bid board was up to €650,000, and the €50,000 raises started to come thick and fast.

Once proceedings had gone deep into seven-figure territory, it was David Redvers, standing with Sheikh Fahad Al Thani in the shadows on the top tier of the auditorium, who tried clinging to Yahagi's coattails. But each time the Qatar Racing man raised his finger to signal an increase of €100,000, the Japanese trainer, sitting just a few rows below his rival, immediately responded in kind.

After a bid of €2.1 million had drawn an audible gasp from the crowd, Redvers gave a clear shake of the head, and the gavel came down.

"Of course his pedigree is excellent," Yahagi said after signing the seven-figure docket. "Sottsass won the Arc and My Sister Nat was second to my horse (Loves Only You) in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). He's a good-moving horse and I love him. I will bring him to Japan and I hope he will win the Japanese Derby." 

On the prospect of this colt returning to France to contest the Arc, Yahagi said: "Of course! I hope so. This is not my first time in Deauville but I love the town's atmosphere and the sales. It's beautiful."

Yahagi said he could not reveal who would own the colt but said it was a "new Japanese owner."

The youngster is the eighth foal out of Starlet's Sister, who has quickly established herself as one of the best young producers around. The daughter of Galileo has bred five winners from five runners, headed by Sottsass, whose six victories include triumphs in the 2019 Qipco Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and 2020 Prix Ganay (G1) as well as his career-defining win in the 2020 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Starlet's Sister's first foal is champion American turf mare Sistercharlie , who won three races in France for Alex Pantall before she transferred to Chad Brown and claimed a remarkable seven grade 1's, including the 2018 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T). Starlet's Sister also bred My Sister Nat , a triple group/grade 3 winner who also placed in three grade 1 events.

Session Two Numbers

The session generated turnover of €15,612,000 ($16,011,711), an average of €233,015 ($238,981), and a median of €140,000 ($143,584) as 67 lots sold from an offering of 80, meaning the clearance rate was 84%. 

The restructuring of the sale, with parts one and two merged over the three days, means year-on-year comparisons will be best assessed at the end of the third and final day, which begins on Monday at 5.30 p.m. local time.