The Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale concluded on Monday with the half-sister to last year’s sale-topper shattering all previous records when fetching €3million to the bid of Amo Racing.
Amo Racing were blown out of the water on the second day of the sale when they bowed to MV Magnier on a Wootton Bassett colt from High Celebrity that made €2.3million, but when the Night of Thunder filly from blue hen Prudenzia hit the ring they were not going to be denied.
Offered by Ecurie des Monceaux, the filly is a half-sister to Group I winners Chiquita and Magic Wand as well as Group III winner Philomene being from stakes-winner Prudenzia, whose progeny have proven a goldmine at Arqana.
Last year her filly by St Mark’s Basilica topped the sale at €1.7million when bought by MV Magnier and racing as Diamond Necklace, she won on debut last week.
“She is truly priceless!”, said Alex Elliott acting for Amo Racing.
“To build a dynasty, you need to acquire horses like this. She is a splendid filly, and her dam has produced remarkably well. Her sister won the TDN Rising Star last week; it’s a very lively family. We are more than happy.”
Prudenzia turned 20 this year and has had nine winners from 10 foals to race with her progeny generating €14.895m when sold at Arqana August Yearling Sales.
A total of 272 yearlings went under the hammer over the three days of sales, registering an 80% clearance rate for a record average of €266,576 (+23%), a median of €170,000, and a turnover of €59,982,000 (+17%).
Following the sale, ARQANA President Olivier Delloye and CEO Freddy Powell commented, “We have just had a wonderful week in Deauville, culminating in an exceptional edition of the August Sale.
“It began with the ARQANA Series, which saw no fewer than 60 runners across the four races held on the day. These were won by Northern Champion, Rose Ghiayyath, Cape Operator and Yellow Jersey. We would like to congratulate their connections once again for their brilliant wins!
“There were some exciting bidding battles right from the start of the sale, with two yearlings making over a million euros following the Prix Jacques Le Marois (Gr.1) yesterday evening, including a son of Wootton Bassett (lot 104) consigned by Haras des Capucines that sold for €2.3 million to Coolmore and Peter Brant.
“The atmosphere and results built to a crescendo, reaching their peak today. For the first time in the history of the sale, eight yearlings made €1 million or more – four fillies and four colts – sold by five different stud farms and acquired by six buyers.
“Four of them exceeded the €2 million mark, including a historic top price for a yearling at Deauville: a daughter of Night Of Thunder out of Prudenzia offered from Écurie des Monceaux that sold for €3 million to Amo Racing. Also noteworthy is the great diversity of stallions represented among these millionaire purchases, with the notable presence of two French stallions, Zarak and Siyouni!”
Godolphin Strike for €2.25 million Colt and €2million Filly
Very active over the three days when bidding on behalf of Godolphin, Anthony Stroud had the final say at €2,25 million for a very popular son of Frankel out of Listed scorer ORENDINA (lot 178).
Consigned by Haras de Montaigu, the colt is from the close family of Epsom Derby (Gr.1) winner WINGS OF EAGLES and Group scorers BABY RIDER, STRAW HAT, APPEL AU MAITRE and VALENTINO.
“Some very nice horses have gone through the ring today, and this colt is one of them,” said Anthony Stroud. “He’s a superb yearling that walks very well with good conformation. He’s by Frankel out of a dam by Siyouni, which is a top-class cross. He was one of our favourites today and he’s a horse that we can dream of Derbies with.”
A little later, he also signed the docket at €2 million for a daughter of Dubawi out of Group winner PAIX (lot 181).
Consigned by Écurie des Monceaux, the filly is from the leading family of MAGIC WAND, CHICQUITA and PHILOMENE.
“Dubawi is an extraordinary stallion for our operation,” said Anthony Stroud. “It’s rare to see fillies of this quality go under the hammer, and we had to seize the opportunity. We’re very lucky to have been able to get her.”
€1.2 million for Wootton Bassett Filly
Al Shira’aa Racing’s manager Kieran Lalor went to €1,2 million to secure a half-sister to Listed winner and Group placed AUDUBON PARK (lot 221).
Consigned by Écurie des Monceaux, the daughter of Wootton Bassett is from the leading family of LEFT HAND, PLUMANIA, DOUBLE MAJOR etc.
“She’s from a maternal line that we really like,” said Kieran Lalor. “She’s a filly with very good conformation and we’re delighted to get her. We’ve had a lot of success with horses bred by Écurie des Monceaux and we hope that this will continue with this filly. We’ll bring her home and give her a few months off before sending her into pre-training.”
€1.2million for Camelot Colt
Consigned by Haras de la Perelle, a son of Camelot (lot 191) was knocked down for €1,2 million in favour of M. V. Magnier who signed the docket for a partnership with White Birch Farm. The well-bred colt is out of a half-sister to Group winners PENSEE DU JOUR and CANVASSED from the family of Classic winner PEINTRE CELEBRE
€1.1 million for a half-sister by Zarak to VESPERTILIO
Earlier in the day, a half-sister to Group winner and Group 1-placed VESPERTILIO (lot 205) made €1,1 million to One Agency. Another to be consigned by Écurie des Monceaux, the daughter of Zarak is out of a own sister to PRUDENZIA and counts the excellent performers MAGIC WAND and CHICQUITA in her pedigree.
