Unraced three-year colt Le Kerry (Fr) (Gemix {Fr}) headed the first day of Arqana's February Sale when sold for €200,000 to Ecurie de Launay. Offered as lot 60 by Karwin Farm, the son of Snow Berry (Fr) (Dream Well {Ire}) was bred by Haras de Maulepaire and is from a family of prolific jumps winners. His dam is a half-sister to Le Berry (Fr), who is also by the Grade 1-winning hurdler Gemix and was himself the winner of 11 races over jumps, including the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois. The further family also includes the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden (Fr).
After signing for the grey, Jerome Glandais of Ecurie de Launay, who was buying on behalf of Ecurie Sofiane Benaroussi said, “It's a very nice family and we bought her sister by Doctor Dino in November. We haven't decided on a trainer yet but he will stay in France.”
A total of 111 horses changed hands in Deauville on Tuesday from 148 to pass through the ring. The clearance rate dropped by 3% from last year to 75%, but across the board figures were close to those achieved in 2023 from a similar sized offering. At €1,685,000 the turnover receded by 5%, while the average of €15,149 was down by just 1%.
Horses in training filled much of the top of the leader board, with Stuart Boman of Blandford Bloodstock going to €80,000 early in the day for lot 6, the three-year-old Princess Child (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}), who was runner-up in the Listed Prix Herod last year for Laura Lemiere. Out of a half-sister to the G3 Prix La Force winner Chilean (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), the filly also won three times in Madrid in 2023.
David Skelly and Charlestown Racing also gave €80,000 for Titanium (Fr), a five-year-old son of Zarak (Fr) who has won six races and been Listed-placed for Alesssandro Botti over the last two seasons. Offered as lot 85, the gelding's full-brother was sold for €160,000 to Alex Elliott at the BBAG Yearling Sale last September.
The action resumes at Arqana on Wednesday at 11am local time with a final session of breeding and young stock.
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