AN increased offering sees the Arqana February Mixed Sale extend to two days this year, with 408 lots catalogued to go under the hammer on Tuesday, February 17th and Wednesday, February 18th.
It marks a significant jump from 318 lots last year, when the average price increased marginally to €11,962, while the median fell by 10% to €5,500. Three lots reached the six-figure mark, with the final clearance rate of 81% suggesting healthy demand across the board.
The highest-priced lots, like the overall catalogue, covered a wide range of profiles, and this year is expected to be no different. Selling begins with a selection of breeding stock, featuring drafts from the likes of the Aga Khan Studs, Wertheimer et Frère, and Al Shaqab Racing.
A complete dispersal of Al Shahania’s stock continues with entries amongst the 50 weanlings on the opening day, along with four stallion shares for sale by sealed bid.
A dispersal from Monsieur Franck Leblanc features in the breeding stock section on Wednesday, followed by a selection of two and three-year-old stores, as well as 14 two-year-olds and 75 horses in training.
Bidding will get underway at 11am each day.
Catalogue highlights
Fillies & mares
Lot 31: Stakes performer Blumenfee carries a Palace Pier sibling to listed winner and Preis der Diana third Sea The Lady
Lot 71: Imperatrice, the dam of listed winner Waldora, is offered in foal to Ace Impact
Lot 99: By Camelot and out of French 1000 Guineas third Heuristique, Celebrite is a half-sister to listed winner and group performer Touristic
Lot 188: Palencia Queen is by Wootton Bassett out of a Group 2-winning half-sister to Peintre Celebre
Lot 200: Well-bred Dalakhani mare Prairie Blossom carries a Charyn sibling to a stakes performer
Lot 210: Blacktype filly Mary Gold carries a first-time cover to Dark Angel
Lot 212: Lord Kanaloa four-year-old Hosaka is out of Rjwa, who placed in the Prix Saint-Alary and Prix de Diane
Lot 229: Sign And Seal, the dam of Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Beaute Cachee, is offered in foal to Victor Ludorum
Lot 252: Suzette Defoye is a winning half-sister to Simca Mille, whose five group wins include the Grosser Preis von Berlin
Weanlings
Lot 32: Siyouni half-brother to Group 1 Preis von Europa winner Aspetar. Grandson of the top-class Alexandrova
Lot 203: Ace Impact filly out of Nell Gwynn Stakes winner and 1000 Guineas third Qabala. Four-year-old half-brother by Persian King made it two from two for Roger Varian with a 12-length win in September
Lot 239: Earthlight half-sister to last season’s Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Sajir
Horses in training
Lot 9: Twice listed-placed mare Chiaraniya hails from the family of Going Global, Maranoa Charlie and Tiggy Wiggy
Lot 343: Siyouni four-year-old Chaumiere Du Pre has won his last two starts, his latest off a rating of 93 on Thursday
Lot 345: Believer is offered as a wildcard off the back of last month’s listed win over 10 furlongs
Lot 353: Well-bred four-year-old The Angel King has progressed to a rating of 94
Lot 355: Wildcard entry Dante Nonantais made a winning debut last month at Deauville, where the first two finished five lengths clear of the third
Lot 365: Three-year-old gelding Recollect won his second start at Chantilly earlier this month
National Hunt
Lot 22: Apaniiwa is a listed winner and Grade 3-placed over hurdles
Lot 90: Authorized mare Ginagold won a listed hurdle as a three-year-old
Lot 113: Elektrix won a listed hurdle at Auteuil last season
Lot 130: AQPS Grade 3 winner Lovran is a No Risk At All half-sister to a Grade 1 performer
Lot 360: Louisa Carberry’s wildcard entry Highbourne Karisma made a smart debut earlier this month, the five-year-old Doctor Dino mare drawing three lengths clear over just short of a mile and a half