FRANCE’S newest bloodstock auction house, Aktem, staged its first physical sale last Friday and the inaugural Grand Steeple-Chase Selected Sale proved a roaring success, with 10 of the 75 lots offered selling for between €100,000 and €510,000.

British and Irish named appeared alongside the majority of the highest-priced horses, but the €510,000 top lot is set to remain in France, according to Kieran Mariga of Coolmara Stables, who signed alongside agent Hamish Macauley for beautifully-bred three-year-old Mahadevi.

“She is a very beautiful filly, we like her,” Mariga said of the Nirvana Du Berlais filly, whose debut second was upgraded when the winner subsequently placed at listed and Grade 3 level.

“We had set ourselves a budget of €450,000, but she has an exceptional pedigree and her brother is favourite for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris. If he wins, it will be a tremendous boost for the family. She will stay in France and join the yard of Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm.”

Mahadiva’s half-brother, Kivala Du Berlais, fell in Sunday’s Grade 1, but conquered the highest level 12 months prior in the Prix Alain du Breil. Her other half-brother, Kalif Du Berlais, won last year’s Maghull Novices’ Chase, but when she sold for €75,000 at Goffs as a foal, neither sibling had achieved blacktype.

Trained by Hector de Lageneste and Guillaume Macaire, Mahadiva previously carried the colours of Aktem founder Sofiane Benaroussi. Others benefitting from the family’s Grade 1 wins include Paul Keller, who bred Mahadiva, and Jerry McGrath, who bought her Bathyrhon half-brother for €27,000; he is now a two-year-old.

Earlier in trade, Coolmara and Macauley gave €115,000 for another Nirvana Du Berlais filly in Rose Wood. The yearling filly is a half-sister to two graded winners, including Grade 1 Ryanair Trophy victor Heart Wood.

Rare opportunity

Pedigree and residual value were also to the fore of Mags O’Toole’s mind when stretching to €440,000 for a full-sister to Lossiemouth.

Bred by Elevage des Vallons and Ian Kellitt, the Great Pretender two-year-old was the first foal out of the mare to be offered at public auction since Lossiemouth was led out unsold for €14,000 as a yearling – highlighting the special nature of her sale through The Channel Consignment.

O’Toole later went to €210,000 for Odin Allen, a Doctor Dino half-brother to a Grade 3 performer, out of a graded-placed Kapgarde mare. Windermere Stud’s offering received an update last month when the mare’s No Risk At Al three-year-old won his second start.

“I bought two exceptional two-year-olds with very strong pedigrees,” the agent commented. “I hope the filly will always retain her value thanks to her outstanding page, and we will take our time with her.

“I also really like the gelding (Odin Allen). They will go to Ireland for now and we will decide later what plans to make for them.

“I am very impressed with this Aktem sale and I believe it will be even more successful next year given these results.”

Multitasking

Aktem’s bloodstock director Guy Petit had a busy afternoon, signing for four lots totalling €445,000, the most expensive of which was the twice placed three-year-old Nael Bihoue, bought on behalf of Clive Boultbee Brooks for €180,000.

British bloodstock agent Dan Astbury ensured his trip was worthwhile by purchasing a two-year-old Saint Des Saints brother to Gala Marceau costing €100,000, and combined with Adam Bloodstock to purchase Edouard Monfort’s debut winner North Storm for €145,000.

Mandore International Agency and Alain Jathiere were the only purely French buyers to appear alongside one of the top five lots, the combination securing Goliath Du Berlais two-year-old Titi Du Berlais for €200,000.

Consigned by Camille Collet Vidal’s Ecurie CCV, the bay is closely related to a blacktype hurdler and is out of three-time Grade 3 winner Titi Du Montmartre.

“He is a very attractive colt, bred at Haras du Berlais,” Mandore’s Nicolas de Watrigant commented.

“He stood out physically and really caught our eye. We are delighted - he is a magnificent horse purchased for Monsieur Jathière, while Monsieur Collet will retain a half-share, so this will be a new partnership.”