Chirico Vallis (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) became the highest-priced jumping prospect to ever sell at the Arqana Autumn Sale when bringing a final bid of €355,000 from bloodstock agent Hubert Barbe during the auction's opening session in Deauville Monday. Barbe fended off Harold Kirk for the 3-year-old gelding (lot 255), who has been second in two lifetime outings for Senonnes-based trainer Laurent Viel.
“He is a most exciting horse for the future,” Barbe said. “I have bought him for an existing client in the UK. We will rest him over the winter to give him time to fill his frame, then start him off over hurdles.”
Barbe's Horse Racing Advisory was also the name on the ticket for Monday's third and fourth highest lots, as he secured Brelan d'As (Fr) (Crillon {Fr}) (lot 215) for €225,000 and Dream Berry (Fr) (Dream Well) (lot 267) for €205,000. Barbe was the session's leading buyer, taking home four lots for a total of €915,000.
Trainer Robert Collet purchased the day's second-highest lot, bidding €260,000 for listed winner Mocalacato Has (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) (lot 247). Collet, bidding from the restaurant, outlasted Seamus Murphy in a protracted bidding duel.
“I've already got the best 3-year-old filly over hurdles [Chimere du Berlais], so now I'll have another of the best from this generation and it will take some of the opposition out,” quipped Collet.
Monday's top-priced flat horse was Meadow Creek (GB) (Dansili {GB}) (lot 200), who sold for €160,000 to Jean-Pierre Deroubaix's F.B.A. The Prince Faisal colorbearer was placed on four occasions at stakes and pattern level for trainer André Fabre. He was third in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy last summer.
“He is a lovely horse who will go to Dubai this winter and probably come back to France after the Carnival,” said Gavin Hernon, who signed the docket alongside Deroubaix. “He is for an existing client of ours.”
During Monday's first session of the three-day sale, 167 head grossed a record €4,960,000. A year ago, the same number sold for €4,467,500. The average of €29,701 was up 11% from 2014, while the median increased 40% to €14,000.
“Obviously we are only a couple of days after the horrible terror attacks in Paris and I think that today's sale was a great testimony to the resilience of the French people,” commented Arqana President Eric Hoyeau. “It was a very solid session and we are delighted with the figures, especially on the back of such a strong renewal last year. It was good to see so many members of the NH fraternity coming over and we would like to thank all the buyers for their support, as well as the vendors who have identified this sale as an opportunity to sell good horses: they bring to the ring horses with the right profile to suit the market requirements and are rewarded with good prices.”
The Autumn sale, which continues through Wednesday, resumes at 1 p.m. Tuesday with 204 yearlings catalogued.
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