FINDING value at the sales appears to have become increasingly difficult as the average and median prices rise, or at least come close to matching the dizzying highs of 12 months ago. One would imagine that a large number of bargain hunters have yet to fill their orders, which should be good news to those selling at the Arqana October Yearling Sale.
With 810 yearlings accepted, next week’s catalogue is the largest in the sale’s history and marks a 4.5% increase on 2024. It comes following a strong renewal 12 months ago, as the average price reached a new high of €48,251, while the median of €28,500 had only been bettered once previously.
The average price of the October Yearling Sale’s last five Group 1-winning graduates is €57,800, though that includes the €16,000 at which Doomben Cup winner Bois d’Argent was led out unsold. He is one of three Australian Group 1 winners on the sale’s honour roll in 2024, with Metropolitan victor Land Legend sourced by Avenue Bloodstock for €100,000, while dual Group 1 winner Light Infantry Man was knocked down to George Mullins for just €25,000.
Earlier Group 1 winners include Audarya (€125,000), Charm Spirit (€140,000), Lord Glitters (€25,000), Paddington (€420,000), Sistercharlie (€12,000), The Grey Gatsby (€24,000) and Treve (€22,000).
Al Shaqab Racing’s €70,000 buy Woodshauna became the sale’s latest top-flight winner when landing the Prix Jean Prat, rewarding John Stewart’s Resolute Racing, who had paid £625,000 for the Wooded colt after a Group 3 success.
While Al Shaqab was well-paid on that occasion, the same cannot be said regarding their €145,000 October Yearling purchase Mgheera. Resold at the venue’s Summer Sale for €5,000 after placing once, the Zoustar mare has since proven progressive and landed the Group 2 Temple Stakes earlier this year.
Last year’s sale was topped by colts by Kingman and Night Of Thunder, costing €500,000. Their sires are among the leading stallions represented next week, along with the likes of Blue Point, Camelot, Dark Angel, Frankel, Havana Grey, Lope De Vega, Mehmas, Ne Bay, No Nay Never, Sea The Stars, Siyouni, Starspangledbanner and Wootton Bassett.
Lot 35: Churchill brother to four group performers, led by dual Group 1 winner Kew Gardens. Out of Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Chelsea Rose
Lot 58: Sea The Stars colt out of Prix de l’Opera third Eudaimonia
Lot 66: Showcasing half-brother to last month’s Middle Park Stakes runner-up Brussels
Lot 103: Kameko half-brother to Prix du Jockey Club victor Look De Vega
Lot 112: Wootton Bassett half-brother to French Guineas heroine Coeursamba
Lot 124: Zarak half-brother to Bonnie Moon, who finished second at listed level since the catalogue was printed. Out of a listed winner
Lot 137: Frankel filly is the first foal out of Matron Stakes winner Pearls Galore
Lot 140: City Light half-brother to three stakes horses, including Group 1 performer Volta. Also a half-brother to five dams of Group performers.
Lot 157: St Mark’s Basilica brother to the top-class Laurens (Siyouni)
Lot 170: Wootton Bassett filly is a full-sister to Prix Marcel Boussac winner Zellie
Lot 187: Saxon Warrior half-sister to dual Group 2 winner Jadoomi, out of a full-sister to The Tin Horse
Lot 199: Wootton Bassett colt out of Group 1 performer Tamazirte, who is now the dam of three stakes winners after Splash Back won a Group 2 in Australia
Lot 211: Colt by The Grey Gatsby is a half-brother to the sale’s Group 1-winning graduate Woodshauna
Lot 807: City Light half-brother to Street Show, who finished second in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte last time out