German Oaks third Virginia Joy lights up Arc sale
German-trained Virginia Joy (Soldier Hollow), Lot 24, became the top price of the Arqana Arc Sale on Saturday night 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 (approx. AUD$1.6 million) for the daughter of Soldier Hollow (In The Wings). Sold with an entry in the EP Taylor Stakes (Gr 1, 10f) at Woodbine, the Marcel Weiss-trained filly, offered by Panorama Bloodstock for Gestüt Auenquelle, most recently finished second in the T. von Zastrow Stutenpreis (Gr 2, 2400m) following her victory in the Mehl-Mülhens-Trophy (Gr 3, 2200m) and third in the Preis der Diana (Gr 1, 2200m) this season.
Boussac runner Coeursamba makes €400,000
Coeursama (The Wow Signal), Lot 13, who finished unplaced in yesterday’s Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr 1, 1600m) having been third in both the Prix d’Aumale (Gr 3, 1600m) and Prix Six Perfections (Gr 3, 1400m), 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 (approx. AUD$654,250) for the daughter of The Wow Signal (Starspangledbanner). “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. We’re delighted!”
Step By Step for Narvick International
An excellent third in the Prix Chaudenay (Gr 2, 3000m) at Longchamp just a few hours before the sale following on from his win in the Derby du Languedoc (Listed, 2400m) and second in the Prix de Lutèce (Gr 3, 3000m) earlier this season, Step By Step (Sidestep), Lot 25, made €320,000 (approx. AUD$523,000) to Emmanuel de Seroux (Narvick International). The colt was offered from Yann Barberot’s stable. A little earlier in the evening, the agent had struck for Dick Whittington (War Command), Lot 12, also trained by the Deauville handler. Third in the Prix Turenne (Listed, 2400m) on his last start having finished fourth in the Prix Hocquart (Gr 2, 2500m) at Deauville this summer, the three-year-old gelding was knocked down for €270,000 (approx. AUD$441,500).
Kalifornia Queen heading stateside
One of the best German fillies of her generation this year, Kalifornia Queen (Lope De Vega), Lot 11, was knocked down for €260,000 (approx. AUD$425,000) to Hubert Guy. The winner of the Gestüt Röttgen Diana-Trial (Gr 2, 2000m) this season, the daughter of Lope De Vega (Shamardal) finished sixth in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr 1, 2800m) 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.”
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 (approx. AUD$453,500). With an overall turnover of €3,050,000 (approx. AUD$4.99 million), the median for the auction was €260,000 (approx. AUD$425,000).