German Oaks Third Virginia Joy Lights Up 2020 ARC Sale

Media Release - Saturday October 3

A total of 19 horses went under the hammer at the Arc Sale held at Saint-Cloud, with 11 lots changing hands for an average of €277,273.

With an overall turnover of €3,050,000, the median for the auction was €260,000.

VIRGINIA JOY knocked down for €975,000.

Virginia Joy

 German trained VIRGINIA JOY (lot 24) became the top price of the sale when Michel Zerolo, Nicolas de Watrigant (Mandore International Agency) and Anne-Sophie Yoh-Benet (YOHEA) went head-to-head to secure the three-year-old filly.

It was Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock that had the final say with a bid of €975,000 for the daughter of Soldier Hollow.

Sold with an entry in the EP Taylor Stakes (Gr.1) at Woodbine, the Marcel Weiss filly offered by Panorama Bloodstock for Gestüt Auenquelle most recently finished second in the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis (Gr.2) following her victory in the Mehl-Mülhens-Trophy (Gr.3) and third in the Preis der Diana (Gr.1) this season.

COEURSAMBA set to run in the Prix Marcel Boussac in Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah’s colours.

Coeursamba

A runner in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr.1) tomorrow and most recently third in the Prix d’Aumale and Prix Six Perfections (Gr.3), COEURSAMBA (lot 13) was also subject to a lot of interest around the ring.

It was Paul Basquin of Haras du Saubouas that had the final say on behalf of Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah, signing the docket at €400,000 for the daughter of The Wow Signal.

 “I’ve bought her for Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah,” commented Basquin.

“She was the one we wanted in the sale. My client has already had a good experience with Jean-Claude Rouget thanks to Mission Impassible, so he would like to work with him again. She has a number of things going for her tomorrow and should go on the soft ground being out of a mare by Anabaa and her second dam by Bering. We’re delighted!”

STEP BY STEP for Narvick International

Step by Step a son of Exceed And Excel's Sidestep

An excellent third in the Prix Chaudenay (Gr.2) at Paris Longchamp just a few hours before the sale following on from his win in the Derby du Languedoc (L.) and second in the Prix de Lutèce (Gr.3) earlier this season, STEP BY STEP (lot 25) made €320,000 to Emmanuel de Seroux (Narvick International).

Advertisement

The colt was offered from Yann Barberot’s stable. A little earlier in the evening, the agent had struck for DICK WHITTINGTON (lot 12), also trained by the Deauville handler.

Third in the Prix Turenne (L.) on his last start having finished fourth in the Prix Hocquart (Gr.2) at Deauville this summer, the three-year-old gelding by War Command was knocked down for €270,000.

Jumper HERCULE POINT for NBB Racing

Hercule Point

Third in the Prix du Bourbonnais (Gr.2 AQPS) on his debut at Fontainebleau, the Hugo Merienne trained HERCULE POINT (lot 29) was knocked down for €270,000.

Previously owned by a group of young owners, it was Nicolas Bertran de Balanda (NBB Racing) that had the final say for the son of Network out of the very current family of ECHIQUIER ROYAL, PLAYING and EASY GAME, once more a Grade 2 winner today. After signing the docket, the agent commented, “We really like him. He really impressed me on his debut where he ran really well. He’s from a great family. We’ll now give him a bit of time.”

KALIFORNIA QUEEN heading stateside

Kalifornia Queen

One of the best German fillies of her generation this year, KALIFORNIA QUEEN (lot 11) was knocked down for €260,000 to Hubert Guy.

The winner of the Gestüt Röttgen Diana-Trial (Gr.2) this season, the daughter of Lope de Vega finished sixth in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr.1) earlier in the afternoon before going through the ring.

Acting on behalf of American owner Sol Kumin (Madaket Stables), Guy said afterwards, “She’s a real racehorse that has won a Group 2 already. She ran very well today over a shorter distance and on ground that wasn’t to her liking. I’ve bought her for Sol Kumin and she’ll go to Chad Brown in New York.”

Following the sale, Freddy Powell, the Executive Director of ARQANA said, “In spite of the unfavourable economic climate, we have still seen positive signals. The demand for quality profiles remains strong, with European and particularly French black-type being valued worldwide. There have been some fine transactions that will, among other things, enable young French trainers and owners to reinvest. These are positive signs in the run-up to the October Yearling Sale.”

Arqana Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.