Quality bloodstock has been in high demand at a range of venues and all price points on an international scale despite ongoing political upheaval in 2022, and Arqana's Arc Sale at Saint-Cloud on Saturday evening continued that trend.
Dominating the buyers' sheets was Jean-Pierre de Gaste and Alexandra Saint Martin's International Thoroughbred Consultants (I.T.C.). The duo picked up a quintet of horses, including the Classic-placed Schwarzer Peter (Ger) (Neatico {Ger}) (lot 17)–the €1-million sales topper–exclusively on behalf of Sheikh Haif Mohammed Al Qahtani's Haif Company. Those five lots grossed €2.94 million or 37% of the overall aggregate.
Sold midway through the boutique event, the 3-year-old colt was offered by trainer Markus Klug. A winner as a juvenile and second in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten, the son of the listed-placed Sovalla (GB) (Pomellato {Ger}) added the G3 Dr. Busch-Memorial at three, before a career-best effort when second in the G1 Deutsches Derby. Since that race, Schwarzer Peter has placed again at Group 3 level, this time in Baden-Baden's G3 Preis der Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe. The relative of G3 Prix Edmond Blanc winner Silas Marner (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) holds entries in several more group races this campaign too, including the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich on Nov. 6.
The Aga Khan Studs' Listed Prix Marchande d'Or victor Rozgar (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) (lot 21) also joined the Haif Company fold when making €800,000. The son of the stakes-placed Roshanara (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) comes from a deep pedigree featuring G1 Prix Marcel Boussac victress Rosanara (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}), the multiple group winner Rajsaman (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}), and the G1 Caulfield Guineas/G1 Caulfield S. hero Whobegotyou (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}).
Just one lot prior to Schwarzer Peter, I.T.C. shelled out €480,000 for Sept. 1 G3 Prix de Lutece scorer Master Gatsby (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). The 3-year-old colt is out of the Group 3 heroine Moonee Valley (Fr) (Aqlaam {GB}) and was sent through the ring by Fabrice Chappet.
They also picked up lot 9, the winning filly Trop Prete (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), a granddaughter of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Halfbridled (Unbridled) from Wertheimer & Frere for €250,000; and Didier Guillemin's lot 45, the Dabirsim (Fr) colt Making Moovies (Fr), who hammered at €410,000. The latter has placed three times in group company and was also second in the Sept. 2 Listed Prix Millkom as a sophomore.
Sam Wright snapped up dual Group 3 scorer Rocchigiani (GB) (Time Test {GB}) for a cool €575,000 from Peter Schiergen's consignment near the end of the day's trade. Sold as lot 43, the 3-year-old son of German listed winner Ronja (El Corredor) has been entered in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day. He is also a half-brother to listed winner Ross (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).
Dubawi (Ire)'s 5-year-old gelding Dilawar (Ire) (lot 38) caught the eye of Oliver St Lawrence, who paid €500,000 to acquire the 2021 G3 Prix Quincey luminary. This term, the son of G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) has been runner-up in the G2 Prix du Muguet and, later in the season, the G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil on Sept. 16. The Aga Khan Studs-consigned bay is from the same family as G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Dalakhani (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who captured the Parisian showpiece in 2003.
“We've bought him for a client of Fawzi Naas, who will be training him in Bahrain,” said Dobell. “He comes from a great place. We're delighted.”
From 34 lots through the ring, the same number as in 2021, 27 found new homes (79.4%) for a gross of €7,880,000. The average and median were both up on 2021, as well, at €291,852 (+11.5%) and €215,000 (+34.4%), respectively.
Arqana President Eric Hoyeau and Executive Director Freddy Powell said, “We would like to thank all our vendors who entrusted us with horses of this quality. For an elite sale, the percentage of horses sold is exceptional, which testifies to the quality of the horses presented and also to the attractiveness of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend. Every year, the sale attracts an international clientele, as shown by tonight's purchases from Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bahrain, the United States, Europe, Hong Kong etc. We wish them all the best for the future.”
New top price
Gr.1 runner-up SCHWARZER PETER (3yo by #Neatico), offered as lot 1 7 by Markus Klug at The Arc Sale, brought the hammer down at €1,000,000 in favor of @gouffern Jean-Pierre de Gasté for Haif Stable. pic.twitter.com/YYXMOm7XKD— ARQANA (@InfoArqana) October 1, 2022
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