THE highest-priced horse from a record-breaking renewal of the Arqana Summer Sale will continue his career in Ireland after selling to Nicolas Bertran de Balanda and Alex Elliott for €520,000.
Competition was strong for the Andre Fabre-trained Zekret, who was offered by Al Shaqab’s Haras de Bouquetot after finishing fifth in a Group 3 over a mile and three furlongs at Longchamp. Runner-up over course and distance on his previous start, the €170,000 yearling had made a winning debut over a mile at Deauville in October.
The three-year-old’s sire, Zarak, is responsible for three Group 1 winners on the flat, while his National Hunt performers include three Grade 1 horses.
“He’ll go to Ireland to run over jumps,” Nicolas Bertran de Balanda said, while declining to reveal the identity of his client, though he and Elliott have paired up on behalf of Brian Acheson’s Robcour in the past. The TDN later reported that Zekret will join Joseph O’Brien.
“He’s a lovely horse that has already shown a lot of quality on the racecourse,” the French agent continued. “He’s by a very good stallion and from a good maternal family. We’re very happy.”
The highlight came during the second day of trade in which horses in training generated a turnover of over €7 million, an increase of 60% year on year. The three-day sale produced a total turnover of €13,655,200, bettering the 2022 high which benefited from a seven-figure top lot.
The million mark was reached this week, but it was later revealed that Juwelier had been retained by connections. The Wootton Bassett colt was offered in absentia following his breakthrough stakes success in the Group 3 German Derby Trial.
The average and median prices of €36,074 and €20,000 respectively were also historic bests, while the clearance rate of 80% marked a notable recovery from 66.6% 12 months ago.
Old hunting ground
Dual Group 1 winner Lord Glitters was sourced by Jason Kelly and Elwick Stud at the 2017 renewal for €270,000 and, on Wednesday, David O’Meara’s talent spotter added Toyotomi to the Yorkshire stable at a cost of €335,000.
“It was an obvious choice, as he’s a horse with a lot of qualities,” Kelly commented. “He looks a good sprint prospect. I’ve bought him for Jinky Farms, a longstanding client, and he’ll be trained by David O’Meara.
“French horses can take a bit of time to adapt to the British system, so we’ll maybe run him in Dubai this winter.”
Previously trained by Manon Scandella-Lacaille, the Blue Point colt won a listed sprint at Deauville in April, before chasing home an impressive Lazzat. Last seen finishing fourth in a Chantilly Group 3, the four-year-old was one of seven purchased on the day by Kelly for a total of €733,000.
Two were bought with Rogues Gallery Racing, while Strassia was bought on behalf of Mark Markey’s Akela Thoroughbreds for €165,000. The four-year-old daughter of Kendargent proved progressive last season, winning a listed race and placing in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay.
Kelly confirmed Strassia will also join O’Meara and added: “We were looking for a horse with stamina. She’s a filly, and can eventually retire to the stud.”
Petit digs deep
Guy Petit, who purchased the top lot on the opening day, added another eight to his haul during the strongest session. They were led by Macao, who bolted up by six lengths on debut at Lyon last month for Henri Devin.
Strong competition from the likes of Charlie Swan, Harold Kirk, Willie Mullins and Pierre Boulard pushed Petit to €320,000 to secure the three-year-old. He later said: “We had to fight to get him, but he’s really worth it. He’s a very good horse with a lovely action and comes from a family that I like a lot. He’ll go to Venetia Williams.”
Macao hails from the first crop of Telecaster, who retired to the Devin family’s Haras du Mesnil after winning three group races for Hughie Morrison. The highlight of his career was beating Too Darn Hot to win the Dante Stakes, which saw him sent off 5/1 for the Epsom Derby.
The son of New Approach is one of four group performers out of dual Oaks runner-up Shirocco Star. His three-year-olds have made a promising start over hurdles, including Auteuil heroine Gold Cast, who is trained by Mikaël Seror for owner/breeder Mrs Henri Devin.
The filly will continue her career with Paul Nicholls after Highflyer’s Anthony Bromley gave €300,000 for the relation to Allaho. “Michael Seror estimates this filly highly and she has progressed nicely,” the agent commented.
“I think she has the size and potential to go over fences. Telecaster is an interesting stallion, and his first crop have pleased us with their quality - we’re happy to support him.”
British commentators may not be as keen on Bromley and Nicholls’ other recruit, Pourquoi Pas Papa, who cost the pair €200,000. The Manatee gelding made a promising debut for David Cottin last month when finishing second over hurdles at Clairefontaine. The winner of that race has since been exported.
Irish interest
The highest-priced flat filly of the sale was listed runner-up Konada, who was knocked down to BBA Ireland’s Michael Donohoe for €280,000. A three-time winner for Jerome Reynier, the daughter of Toronado hails from the top-class Aga Khan family of Kalanisi.
While Harold Kirk, Willie Mullins and Pierre Boulard missed out on Macao, the combination did come away with three horses. The multiple graded-placed hurdler Diamond Du Berlais was a more known entity than some of the lightly-raced sale highlights, and cost her new connections €160,000.
The Zarak filly’s new stablemate, Koliath De Couely, was bought on behalf of Jimmy and Susie Wenman for €150,000. The Goliath Du Berlais three-year-old was narrowly denied by a more experienced rival on debut, as a previous winner chased them home in third.
Joining them at Closutton at a cost of €80,000 is the Galiway three-year-old Kai Lung, who had won or placed on all his previous starts for Francois Rohaut, David Redvers and Sarah O’Connell.
The final day of the sale, which consisted of breeding stock, was a more subdued affair, topped by Guy Petit’s €85,000 purchase Victoir Des Borde. The Grade 2 winner has produced a graded hurdler but her current claim to fame is as a half-sister to Kopek Des Bordes.
After signing for the 16-year-old, Petit revealed: “I’ve bought her for Haras de Tonnencourt. She’s a very good mare that has already produced a blacktype winner and is in foal to Goliath du Berlais. She’ll stay in France. We’re very happy!”
Thursday’s clearance rate of 75% represented a pleasing increase from 69% last year, but the average fell by 29% to €13,381, and the median by 35% to €6,500.
The final day’s turnover dropped by 33%, from 15% less horses offered. Those declines were outweighed by strong demand on the previous two days, and couldn’t stop the sale from posting record highs overall.