GODOLPHIN bought the top lot at the final session of Arqana’s August Yearling Sale on Monday when agent Anthony Stroud paid €380,000 for a Siyouni colt. Phoenix Thoroughbreds was the underbidder.

Bred by Chris Wright’s Stratford Stud Place, the bay is a full brother to the fast filly Souvenir Delondres, winner of the Group 3 Prix Eclipse.

“Physically I thought he compared very favourably with the horses I saw yesterday and Saturday, said Stroud. He is by a serious stallion, comes from a very good nursery and my valuation was in line with the price he made.”

The third and final day of the sale, comprising Part II of the catalogue, returned figures very much on a par with their 2017 counterparts. The aggregate reached €9.4 million for the second year running while the average for the 114 horses sold was €82,693, a 3% slip from a year ago.

MENUISIER STRIKES

French-born, British-based trainer David Menuisier has enjoyed his best season so far, notably courtesy of Group 2 York Stakes scorer Thundering Blue, who, like many of Menuisier’s charges, runs in the colours of Clive Washbourn. The successful tandem will hope for a repeat scenario with a son of Intello for which they paid €290,000 to outbid Fiona Carmichael and Amanda Skiffington.

Like the top lot, this colt was also offered by Hubert Honoré. The colt was bred by trainer Nicolas Clément out of the listed-winning mare Winter Fashion, who has already produced two black type performers including Flower Fashion who won three races and was placed at listed level last year.

“This colt really caught my eye when I saw him yesterday,” said Menuisier. “I thought he was the best colt in the sale and feel very lucky to have an owner with the capacity to invest in top quality horses. I am a fan of the sire and there is a bit of speed on the dam side so I can’t see why we wouldn’t win the Prix du Jockey Club with him!”

With Laurens having swept all before her this season, scooping three Group 1 contests on the trot, the progeny of Siyouni has gained an increasingly international profile. Justin Casse has been a long-time admirer of the stallion and didn’t hesitate to offer €240,000 for a filly by the Haras de Bonneval resident, from the draft of Haras d’Etreham. She will be trained in America.

David Redvers, racing manager for Qatar Racing, paid €220,000 for a filly by Australia from the family of Danedream.

Ling Tsui, owner of Sea The Stars, bought a filly by that stallion for €200,000. It will be trained by William Haggas, who saddled Sea Of Class to win the Irish Oaks for Tsui last month.

Having signed for five yearlings over the weekend, Phoenix Thoroughbred completed their shopping list with a Siyouni colt for €180,000.

The leading buyer at the sale was M.V. Magnier, who spent €2.65 million on five yearlings. Al Shaqab and Godolphin also invested a total amount of €2 million or more.

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