Arqana Deauville Sale Trending as Second-Best

Part I of Arqana's August yearling sale was tracking as the second-best ever following the second day of the three-day session.

So far, figures have been headed only by last year's record-breaking performance.

After the hammer came down on the second day at Deauville Aug. 15, 81% of the 172 yearlings led through the ring were sold, up from 76% in 2015. They returned €29,861,000 (US$ 33,316,200), a 7% slip from a year ago but still higher than any other previous Part I gross. The cumulated average is €213,293 ($237,973), down 13% from the record-breaking 2015 edition.

The Coolmore/Mayfair Speculators partnership was responsible for the two highest prices of the day, with Peter Doyle and M.V. Magnier doing the bidding. Both yearlings shared the distinction of being daughters of perennial champion sire Galileo, out of black-type winning mares from the draft of Ecurie des Monceaux.

First through the ring was Hip 97 out of the listed winner Prudenzia, hence a half sister to the classic heroine Chicquita, for which the Coolmore principals, standing alongside Peter Doyle, Derek Brugman and Michael Jooste of Mayfair Speculators, had to go to €1.4 million ($1,561,990) to outbid Barry Weisbord and James Delahooke.

Two lots later (Hip 99), a daughter of the group III Prix de Royaumont winner Quetsche attracted a closing bid of €650,000 ($725,212) from the same connections.

"There is always a good reason to buy these good fillies," said Doyle. "They are both outstanding fillies, individual-wise, two very nice Galileos with special pedigrees. They don't come by so often."

Hip 113, a daughter of Frankel out of the Dashing Blade mare Sasuela proved the €600,000 ($669,426) pick of Japanese owner Kenji Ryotokuji, who was investing on the Deauville market for the first time via manager Takashi Iiyama. The winning Sasuela has already delivered three black type horses in group I scorer Seismos and group I performers Soberania and Samba Brazil.

"We were very interested in her before we came here and when we saw her we were very impressed," said Iiyama. "She is quite small but I saw Frankel in Great Britain and she is similar in the body. She will go to Japan to be trained in Rito by Mr. Yoshimura."

The appetite for Frankel's progeny was consistent throughout the evening. Hip 104, a son of the great champion and the first foal out of group II-winning juvenile Restiadargent—who went on to run third to Black Caviar in the group I Diamond Jubilee Stakes—was knocked down to Pascal Bary for €520,000 ($580,169). The family traces back to the Prix de Diane victress Resless Kara. 

"We were underbidder to Shadwell yesterday on the Frankel filly (Hip 92) so we are delighted to be able to buy this one," said Taïeb. "This colt has the conformation and the pedigree, and looks quite precocious as well. He will be trained by Pascal Bary."

The price was matched later in the evening by Hip 154, a dark brown son of Le Havre who came into the ring with some solid credentials as the brother to this year's unbeaten dual Classic heroine La Cressonniere. Interest arose from all around the ring but it was Richard Brown who prevailed at €520,000 before indicating that John Gosden would take delivery of the colt.

The final day of Part I continues Aug. 16 beginning at 5 p.m.