Quality On Offer at Arc Sale

QUALITY ON OFFER AT ARC SALE 
By Michele MacDonald 
With owners and trainers from around the world flooding into Paris for what appears to be a vintage G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend, there likely will be lots of champagne sipped and bids raised at Arqana's annual Arc Sale at Saint-Cloud racecourse Oct. 4, the eve of the big racing program at Longchamp. 

Arqana officials could not have asked for better advertising from horses that were sold at this venue last year, which no doubt will help lure some buyers back to see what's on offer this term. For example, Empoli (Ger) (Halling), acquired for €580,000 by the French Bloodstock Agency of Jean-Pierre Deroubaix on behalf of Russian clients, rewarded his new owners by earning some meaningful prize money at the Dubai World Cup Carnival and in European races following the sale. But the 4-year-old put an exclamation point on his career when he galloped off with the G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne Sept. 28. 

Arqana President Eric Hoyeau noted that every Arc Sale is very different, depending on the horses catalogued in what has always been a small, boutique auction, as well as how their race and veterinary records stack up to prospective buyers. However, he said the continuing exploits of sale graduates has certainly helped cultivate interest from Qatari owners and those looking to race in Dubai, in addition to Hong Kong and Australia. Those four countries have become the primary destinations for horses sold at the boutique auction, with the U.S. further back on the list. 

“Historically, there has been a lot of very good success in America, but there are now new countries who are interested in the European form,” Hoyeau said, adding that good fillies sometimes bring in owners from even further abroad. Last year's sale topper Kenhope (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), winner of the G3 Prix de la Grotte and second in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot, was purchased by India's Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla through agent Patrick Barbe for €900,0000. 
Qatari owners, already a force at many sales in Europe, are likely be back for more shopping at the Arc venue following the success of 2013 Arc Sale graduate Dubday (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}. A €200,000 purchase by the Chantilly Bloodstock Agency, he stormed to victory for Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing in Qatar's biggest race, the QR2 million ($549,210) HH The Emir's Trophy, in February. 

What buyers will find on offer this year includes some tantalizing possibilities possessing the opportunity for immediate glory and returns. Two group stakes-winning juvenile colts in the catalogue will step into the ring with entries to the following day's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on the Arc program, Hoyeau said. Lot 42, from The Channel Consignment of Alban Chevalier du Fau and Jaime Railton, is Burnt Sugar (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who has won two of five starts including the G3 Sirenia S. for De La Warr Racing and trainer Richard Hannon. Burnt Sugar, who also has placed twice, won the Sirenia under Gerald Mosse, and that jockey is booked to ride him again in the Lagardere, Hoyeau said. Burnt Sugar's full brother, Brown Sugar (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), won both the Sirenia and the G3 Molecomb S. and their dam, Lady Livius (Ire) (Titus Livius {Fr}), is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Galeota (Ire) (Mujadil). 

The other entered in the Lagardere is Zalim Bifov's Citron Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), catalogued as Lot 31 and coming off a score in the G3 Baden-Baden Zukunftsrennen for trainer Matthieu Palussiere. The colt has an intriguing pedigree as his dam is a half-sister to young sire Zebedee (GB) (Invincible Spirit) and is from the family of champion Miss Alleged (Alleged). 

Hoyeau pointed to Lot 23, the 3-year-old filly Crisolles (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire})–a good second to French Classic-winning filly Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in the G2 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville–as another strong entry. Crisolles has raced for owner Gerard Augustin-Normand and trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, and she will be offered with an entry in the G1 Prix de l'Opera on the Arc program. 

The Aga Khan Studs has consigned two horses to the sale, topped by Lot 18, the very promising 3-year-old colt Behesht (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a half-brother to Group 1 winner Behkabad (Fr) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Behesht has won twice and placed four times for trainer Alain de Royer Dupre, including a runner-up effort in 1 1/2-mile Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange at Vichy. 

One of several intriguing wildcard entries to the sale is Lot 38, the 3-year-old gelding Absalon (Giant's Causeway), who has won twice and placed twice from four starts for Wertheimer & Frere and trainer Freddy Head. Absalon is a half-brother to three group stakes winners and his dam is a half to multiple American Grade I winner Dare and Go (Alydar) and Grade I winner Go Deputy (Deputy Minister). 

The Arc sale will begin at 6 p.m. local time, and Arqana has arranged free shuttles from Longchamp to Saint-Cloud.