Almanzor (Fr)

It's that time of year: with just weeks to go to the start of the turf season, thoughts are turning to which of this year's freshman sires will be making a splash with their first runners. With 26 European first-crop stallions to consider, we have asked the views of those who have seen a good range of young stock at the sales. Today we speak with Oliver St Lawrence. "I loved the Almanzors at the yearling sales last year," St Lawrence said. "I think he'll be the stallion of this...

Breeders and buyers anticipating the upcoming first 2-year-olds by Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in Europe were provided a boost in recent weeks at the sales in Australia and New Zealand, where the triple Group 1 winner's first Southern Hemisphere yearlings were warmly received. After his three yearlings sold at Magic Millions averaged A$506,666 with a top price of A$800,000, Almanzor went on to be leading first-season sire at Karaka Book 1 with 43 sold for an average of NZ$190,698. Almanzor, who is based at his birthplace Haras d'Etreham in...

A quartet of wild cards, to be auctioned on Dec. 5, have been added to the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. There is a 1/50th share in young stallion and champion Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) (lot 190) on offer. Three fillies have also joined the Dec. 5-8 sale, with Petite Folie (GB) (Australia {GB}) being offered by La Motteraye Consignment as lot 150. She is a half-sister to Classic winner and MG1SW Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Andrea Marcialis sends Listed Prix de la Vallee d'Auge heroine Bonita Queen...

During the Nov. 24 sale of breeding rights and stallion shares on Arqana Online, a breeding right in champion first-season sire elect Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) (lot 2) brought €195,000 from Haras du Mont-dit-Mont. Already the sire of 48 winners, 10 black-type performers and four black-type winners led by G1 Middle Park S. hero Supremacy (Ire), the young stallion will command €25,000 at Tally-Ho Stud in 2021. A breeding right to four-time Group 1 winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) (lot 3), whose oldest foals are three, went for...

Champion and MG1SW Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who will have his first 2-year-olds in 2021, leads the Haras d'Etreham roster at €30,000, the French stud announced on Sunday. Also a shuttle stallion to Cambridge Stud in the Southern Hemisphere, a 1/50th share in the Cartier champion 3-year-old colt of 2016 was bought for €310,000 at the Arqana Online Sale this past Wednesday and his yearlings have been well received, selling for up to €280,000. Joining him at €30,000 is  Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}-Pretty Please {Ire}, by Dylan Thomas...

Six stallion shares and breeding rights were available during the Arqana Online sale on Wednesday, and the top lot was a 1/50th share of European highweight Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) that went for €310,000. The share, lot 6, was purchased by Elwick Stud and allows two nominations annually. The Haras d'Etreham resident, whose oldest foals are yearlings, sits second by average on the TDN European First-Crop Sires Sales Statistics page, with 14 yearlings sold for an average of $119,463. A breeding right in leading first-season sire Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation...

Arqana announced six shares and breeding rights to top European stallions will be offered during an online auction at www.arqanaonline. Bidding is scheduled to commence Wednesday, Nov. 4 at noon (12:00p.m.) and conclude at 6:00 p.m. (local time). The lots on offer are: Lot 1: a share (1/50th) in Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) - The share gives right to one nomination every year, plus one extra nomination in 2022 and then every other year. The Aga Khan Studs' sire currently sits in second position on the European stallion rankings by...

With the yearling sales now in full swing, TDN quizzes industry figures on past purchases, life during lockdown and their perspective on the sales over the next few weeks. Today, Alex Elliott answers our questions. TDN: What was your best yearling purchase over the last few years? And your favourite? AE: Group 2 winner New Mandate (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is a horse that has quickly become both one of my favourite and best purchases. He was bought at last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale for €35,000 and was the...

The 784-strong Arqana-Osarus October Yearling Sale catalogue is now online. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the sale has been completely restructured combining the Arqana October Yearling Sale and the Osarus September Yearling Sale, running from Oct. 19-Oct. 23. Alumni of the October sale include Group 3 winner and dual Classic bridesmaid The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), G1 Prix Jean Romanet scorer Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), MGISW Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), G1 French 1000 Guineas runner-up Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Basset {GB}), and GSWs Policy of...

Haras d'Etreham, home of French and Irish champion Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who has first yearlings this year, has launched a new website. Dedicated to the stud's six stallions, Etreham's sale consignments, and latest news, the site may be viewed at www.etreham.com.

The Arqana Deauville Select Sale, which contains full- or half-siblings to 22 Group 1 winners among its 492-strong catalogue, will take place in Deauville on Sept. 24-26. Graduates of the rescheduled sale-which is usually held as the Arqana August Sale--have made an impact on the international stage, with French Classic hero Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Ire}), G1SW Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and three-time American Grade I winner Uni (GB) (More Than Ready) among their number. Despite the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, a total of 98 stallions are represented,...

With the successful Chantilly debut of George Strawbridge homebred and new 'TDN Rising Star' Another Sky (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in March (video), the colt appears to be another feather in the cap of his dam, the unraced Darkova (Maria's Mon). Her first foal is the European highweight, MG1SW Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), her second, his full-brother, the French SP Troarn (Fr). Darkova, however, is not the only European Group 1 producer flying the flag in Europe for her late Pin Oak Stud-based sire Maria's Mon, as the MSP...