The first edition of the Arqana Arc Sale to take place in Chantilly, in the historical environment of the Pharis Yard, registered record figures with the 29 horses to change hands grossing €8,474,000, a 9% increase on the 2015 total, and the average price hiking 20% to reach €292,207. The buoyant evening was notably marked by a pair of seven-figure sales courtesy of the Group-winning fillies TOULIFAUT (lot 25) and SPAIN BURG (lot 8).
The former, a late addition to the catalogue via the Wild Card system, attracted interest from all around the sales ring and it took a bid of €1.9 million, a record at the Arc Sale, to seal the deal for the Jean-Claude Rouget offering and outbid a determined Francois Dupuis. The daughter of Frankel has won her three starts to date with impressive ease and was one of the most fancied declared runner's in Sunday's Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Emmanuel de Seroux (pictured) of Narvick International emerged as the winning bidder and was swamped by well-wishers and representatives of the international press, to whom he expressed: “I have bought her for Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm. She has everything you could ask for as a breeder: an ubeaten record as a juvenile and a pedigree page to die for. I am not sure what her immediate future is, this is something I need to discuss with Mr. Yoshida.”
Roberto Cocheteux' SPAIN BURG, who provided her trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte with a first winner in the UK when blowing her rivals away in the Gr.2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket, was one of the highlights of the catalogue and duly attracted some spirited interest with Jamie Lloyd ultimately prevailing at €1.5 million. The agent was standing alongside Dean Reeves, who was making his first ever foray in the European market. “It is the first time I have bought in Europe and I am delighted to have secured this gorgeous filly, said Reeves. She won her Group race with determination and obviously has some residual value too. We will aim her at the Breeders' Cup.”
THEWAYYOUWISH (lot 44), a Jean-Claude Rouget trainee who scored in the L. La Coupe de Marseille on his final start before the Arc Sale, will try to emulate fellow Arc Sale graduates Dubday and The Blue Eye in winning Qatar's showpiece H.H. The Emir's Sword in the colours of Khalifa Al Kuwari after selling to Chantilly Bloodstock Agency for €625,000. Bidding started at a mere €50,000 for the son of Thewayyouare and progressed slowly to its final point but Gerard Larrieu, who was seated alongside trainer Jassim Al Ghazali, was not to be denied. “He is for the same owner as Dubday and The Blue Eye, who carried all before them in Qatar so we are returning to the well, commented the agent. This one was expensive though! He will go into training with Nassim Al Ghazali.”
Nicolas Clément's Stakes-winning filly SWEET CHARITY (lot 5) was the first lot to near the half-million mark when selling to David Ingordo on a bid of €450,000. The daughter of Myboycharlie won the Prix de Liancourt L. on her latest start, running to a mark of 99, and was offered with an entry in the Gr.1 E.P. Taylor Stakes. “She is for a major client of John Sadler's in California, so you will easily guess who it is, said Ingordo referring to Hronis Racing, an entity that has already had luck with French imports. She is a magnificent physical with some impressive performances to her name and has been beautifully prepared for the sale. My clients are looking at the racing side first and it will be John's decision whether she runs in the E.P. Taylor or not.”
Pascal Bary's filly MANGO TANGO, who twice filled the runner-up spot in Group company this season and earned a mark of 106, will be aimed at the Qatar Oaks after being knocked down to Abdulatif Al Emadi for €400,000. She will be trained by Ibrahim Al Malki who commented: “She is a tough filly, very consistent this season and we liked her attitude in her races. We think she will be a good candidate for the Qatar Oaks.”
The same price was matched minutes later by BANZARI (lot 22), the winner of the Gr.3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte in the colours of Rebecca Hillen after the catalogue was printed, who will continue her racing career in America after selling to James Delahooke on behalf of celebrity chef Bobby Flay. “It is my first purchase in France, commented Flay. I liked her pedigree, which is obviously important from a breeding perspective, but also her race record. In my opinion her trainer [Henri-Francois Devin] did a magnificent job with her. We have bought her with the E.P. Taylor Stakes in mind but I don't know yet who will train her.”
At the end of this historical renewal, ARQANA President Eric Hoyeau commented: “I wish to thank everyone who has contributed to these outstanding results. We were entrusted by owners and trainers with a rare bunch of horses and I am thrilled that they have been fairly rewarded. I also with to extend my thanks to the buyers who have expressed their renewed support to the Arc Sale, which produces Group 1 horses year on year all over the world, as well as to those who made the trip to France for the very first time. Finally, nothing could have been achieved without the enthusiastic support of Robert Collet and his staff, nor the professionalism of the entire ARQANA team. Together, they took up the challenge of offering optimum working conditions and a warm welcome to all clients in a unique, unusual venue.”
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