A DUBAWI half-sister to Sottsass and Sistercharlie topped the Arqana Select Yearling Sale in Deauville on Thursday when selling for €2.5 million.

The filly was bought by agent Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Sheikh Nasser Al Khalifaa, a member of the Bahraini royal family, and KHK Racing. The sale-topper will be trained in England. Sheikh Nasser already has some smart horses with Simon and Ed Crisford, and Roger Varian.

A little earlier in the day, the same team swooped to secure the only son of American Pharoah in the catalogue for €320,000, and he will also be trained in England.

Top price at the 2016 Arqana Sale, Magic Wand has since gone on to have an exceptional career for Coolmore, not least with 10 places at Group 1 level across the globe. The Tipperary stud farm took the opportunity to acquire her brother at this year’s sale.

Following a long battle between David Redvers and M.V. Magnier, it was the latter that had the final say at €2 million for the colt, also a three-parts brother to classic winner Chicquita. “He’s a lovely colt that walks very well,” said Magnier. “He’s from a fantastic family that we have already had a lot of luck with. Chicquita and Magic Wand have given us a lot of joy on the racetrack, and we hope that he will follow in their footsteps.”

Bidding in the ring once again hit seven figures when a son of Kingman was eventually knocked down to Anthony Stroud for €1,1 million on behalf of Godolphin. Offered from Haras des Capucines, the colt is from a top German family that also includes Prix de Diane winner and six-time winner at the highest level Stacelita and her daughter, dual Japanese Group 1 winner Soul Stirring.

In total, 68% of the 111 yearlings presented on Thursday were sold for an average price of €218,750. Over the two days of selling, the average price was €180,790, and of the 237 yearlings offered, 70% changed hands for a total turnover of €30,680,000.

READ LEO POWELL’S FULL SALE REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEKEEND