By Emma Berry
It is 15 years since Gwen Monneraye and Lucie Lamotte launched their La Motteraye Consignment and since then they have built their business up from scratch to being responsible for topping the Arqana August Sale of 2018 with a €1.4m Dubawi colt.
Last year La Motteraye was the fourth-leading vendor with 16 yearlings sold at an average price of €201,563 and it would be no surprise to see them near the top of the table once more. The stud's draft of 30 yearlings are garnered from an international client base, including Heike Bischoff and Niko Lafrentz of Gestut Gorlsdorf, the breeders of German Derby winner Sea The Moon (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and their fellow German-based Michael Andre, breeder of Group 1 winner Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Closer to home, their French clients include David Salabi of Haras de Thenney and Samuel de Barros of Haras des Authieux, who raced the Prix de Diane winner Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Gwen Monneraye says: “I think there is reason to be optimistic about the sale. Saratoga was very strong and Deauville a year ago was very strong as well, so the mood seems to be good right now.
“Overall I am very happy with our draft. We have the filly out of Channel and the mare's two-year-old [Ultrasoul] was second first time out and has an entry in the Lagardere as well as in two Group 2s in England [the Champagne and the Mill Reef Stakes].
“We are selling half-siblings to three Group 1 winners: Alenquer, then there is a Siyouni half-brother to Aspetar (GB) (Al Kazeem {GB}) and an Earthlight half-brother to [G1 Metrolpolitan winner] Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). There's also yearlings by Frankel, Wootton Bassett Too Darn Hot, Sea The Stars and Sea The Moon, so it's very exciting. The vibes are also really good about St Mark's Basilica's first yearlings.
“We've been working with Gorlsdorf for the last year. They are very successful breeders and they know their stuff. It's always good to work with established breeders. We also have a good relationship with David Salabi of Haras de Thenney. We are selling the half-brother to [Listed-winning two-year-old] Fakarava for him, and it's a young farm so that is exciting for the future.
“Our own farm has been extended again this year. We have extended it every year and we bought a farm this year, last year and three years ago, so it is now 220 hectares. It is important to have plenty of land so when we have had the opportunity we have taken it.
“Ciara O'Connor takes care of all the sales for us. Everyone knows her and likes her and it is great to have her help.”
Draft highlights:
Lot 32, by Victor Ludorum (GB) out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}).
The half-sister to G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Alenquer is from the first crop of Darley's Classic-winning son of Shamardal, Victor Ludorum. The second dam is Wind In Her Hair, but don't be fooled – it's not that one. This one, however, is from a decent family herself and is a half-sister to four black-type performers.
Lot 53, a colt by Frankel out of Ambition (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})
Ambition was herself the winner of the G2 Prix La Corrida and runner-up in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet, but she is also a daughter of the Oaks winner Talent (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). This is her first foal.
Lot 91, a filly by Wootton Bassett (GB) out of Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire})
From the Fittocks Stud foundation family of Souk (Ire), Channel is a granddaughter of the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Magical Romance (GB). The mare's first two yearlings to sell fetched €400,000 and €200,000.
The draft also features the first yearling by Tally-Ho Stud's Starman (GB) to go through the ring. Lot 259 is a filly out of a half-sister to the GII New York Stakes and G3 Prix de Psyche winner Homerique (Exchange Rate).
Claim to fame: Along with Alenquer, other notable graduates from La Motteraye Consignment include dual Group 2 winner The Juliet Rose (Fr), G2 Great Voltigeur winner Deauville Legend (Ire), G2 Prix du Muguet winner Sibila Spain (Ire), and the G3 Molecomb Stakes winner and G1 Middle Park third Armor (GB).
Last word: “Last year's sale was just fireworks: it was amazing to be a part of it.”
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