The Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale kicked off on Saturday night in France with a total of 71 yearlings sold during the first evening of the sale, with 72% of them changing hands for a turnover of €11,750,000 and the top price was shared at €800,000.
Of these, 10 colts and fillies changed hands for €300,000 or more when bought by eight different buyers. After the first session, the average finished at €230,392, while the median of €200,000 showed a 43% increase from the sale last year.
€800,000 Daughter of Baaeed for Al Shira’aa Racing
Consigned by Écurie des Monceaux, a daughter of the champion Baaeed (lot 68), that has his first crop yearlings through the ring this year, was subject to interest from a lot of buyers in the ring. The gavel finally fell at €800,000 in favour of Kieran Lalor, that was buying the filly on behalf of Al Shira’aa Racing.
The blue-blooded yearling is out of Listed scorer DUBAI ROSE, the dam of Group winners THE JULIET ROSE and ARABIAN CROWN as well as black-type scorer EVEREST ROSE and black-type performers POCKETFULLOFDREAMS. She also hails from the family of Prix de Royallieu (Gr.1) scorer SEA LA ROSA, and Group winners DEAUVILLE LEGEND and HANAMI.
“We really fell in love with this filly,” said Kieran Lalor. “She’s a lovely individual, very athletic with a superb pedigree and from one of the best French studs. We’ve had a lot of success with Écurie des Monceaux over the years, and fingers crossed we’ll be back in a little while to speak about the Guineas and the Classics for this filly. With Baaeed as her sire and a maternal line of this calibre, anything is possible.”
€800,000 Son of Lope De Vega for Godolphin
A few minutes later, bidding once again hit €800,000, this time for a son of Lope De Vega out of the black-type mare ELIADE (lot 72), also from Écurie des Monceaux. Bidding on behalf of Godolphin, Anthony Stroud had the final say for the colt from the excellent family of Group 1 winners FRIENDLY SOUL, WITH YOU, WE ARE, KELINA and CALL THE WIND.
“I’ve bought him for Godolphin and he will be trained by Charlie Appleby. He’s a lovely colt that walks very well. He comes from Écurie des Monceaux, that has bred so many good horses. We are truly delighted.“
Half-brother by St Mark's Basilica to Group winner RASHABAR makes €520,000
At the beginning of the sale, M.V. Magnier went to €520,000 for a half-brother by St Mark's Basilica to RASHABAR (lot 13), the winner of the Coventry Stakes (Gr.2) at Royal Ascot last season, and runner up in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano (Gr.2) during the afternoon at Deauville.
He was bought for a partnership between Coolmore and White Birch Farm. Consigned by Haras de Beaufay, the second crop son of St Mark’s Basilica hails from the family of AMARETTE, the winner of the Preis der Diana (Gr.1) and Group victors RIVER OF STARS, AMAZONA, ANCIENT SPIRIT and AEMILIANUS etc
