Report from the Arqana August Yearling Sale

Historic Sales and Emotional Moments 

What a difference a day makes. The second day of trading at the Arqana August Sale saw a quieter atmosphere than expected, but it only took 90 minutes on Sunday evening for three lots to fetch seven-figure sums, electrifying the Deauville ring.

The standout sale of the evening was a St Mark’s Basilica filly, a half-sister to Group 1 winners Chicquita and Magic Wand, consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. Coolmore’s MV Magnier secured the filly for a staggering €1.7 million. Bred by Monceaux in collaboration with the late Lady O’Reilly, this filly's dam is the blue hen Prudenzia, whose offspring have consistently commanded top prices.

In a poignant moment, Monceaux director Henri Bozo reflected on the significance of the sale, mentioning the emotional connection due to Lady O’Reilly’s legacy. He described the filly out of Paix, which was sold to Al’Shira’aa Farms for €1 million, as a powerful presence, while the Prudenzia yearling was hailed as regal. Bozo acknowledged the deep-rooted relationship between Lady O’Reilly, Patricia Boutin, and Monceaux, expressing gratitude to loyal clients Al Shira’aa and Coolmore for their continued support.

The mating of St Mark’s Basilica with Prudenzia was the result of careful planning, Bozo explained. They aimed to introduce speed into the bloodline, given Galileo’s previous success with this family. The resulting filly exceeded expectations, commanding a high price due to her special qualities.

This sale marked the tenth foal out of Prudenzia to reach a seven-figure price at the August Sale, continuing a remarkable streak that began in 2012. Over the years, Prudenzia’s offspring have collectively brought in nearly €12 million at Arqana, with her first foal, Irish Oaks winner Chicquita, setting an Irish auction record at €6 million in 2013. Chicquita has since justified the investment by producing stakes horses, including Curragh Cup winner Emily Dickinson and Irish Oaks third Nicest.

After acquiring the St Mark’s Basilica filly, Magnier commended Monceaux for taking a risk by breeding a mare of such quality to a first-season sire. He reiterated the importance of supporting St Mark’s Basilica, a champion racehorse with an impressive debut crop.

Magnier expressed his appreciation to Bozo and the team at Monceaux for their dedication to breeding exceptional horses. The filly’s success at auction, along with St Mark’s Basilica’s strong sales performance, reinforced the sire’s potential for future greatness.

Al Shira’aa Farms Strategic Purchases

Al Shira’aa Farms also made a significant purchase with a €1 million bid for a Night Of Thunder filly out of Paix. Kieran Lalor of Al Shira’aa noted that the filly’s physical likeness to Vespertilio, a Group 2 winner in Al Shira’aa’s colours, motivated their strong bid. Lalor expressed confidence in the filly’s future, highlighting the excellent breeding at Monceaux as a key factor in their decision.

The first seven-figure sale of the evening came just four lots in, with Ballylinch Stud’s Lope De Vega filly selling for €1 million. Purchased by Oliver St Lawrence, the filly is destined for the stable of Carlos and Yann Lerner, who have already experienced success with Lope De Vega progeny. St Lawrence acknowledged that acquiring such a high-quality filly was no easy feat, and he hopes she will one day compete in prestigious races like the Prix de Diane.

Ballylinch Stud’s managing director, John O’Connor, praised the filly’s temperament, noting her consistency and calm demeanour throughout the sale. O’Connor believes these traits will serve her well on the racetrack.

Strong Performances Despite Adjustments

In terms of overall performance, this year’s sale saw a slight dip compared to last year’s record-breaking figures, with turnover down by 11 percent. However, the average price remained strong at €217,060, and Ecurie des Monceaux once again topped the consignor charts with €12.88 million in sales.

Al Shaqab Racing emerged as the leading buyer, spending over €3.1 million on ten yearlings, while Monceaux’s dominant performance as a consignor continued for the 13th consecutive year. Despite a slight decrease in clearance rate and median price, the Arqana August Sale proved once again to be a showcase of top-tier bloodstock, setting the stage for future champions on the track.