The breeze-up sale bandwagon moved to France last week and the Arqana sale which is held in the beautiful seaside town of Deauville. With a strong catalogue of horses on offer trade was always expected to be strong and so it proved but the quality of horses on offer was of the highest standard and very similar to that of the Tattersalls Craven sale.
I was delighted to purchase 4 exciting prospects which will be split between trainers Richard Hannon and Mark Johnston.
The first purchase was Lot 19 a January born daughter of Choisir who cost €260,000. This filly breezed in the Top 5 times of the sale and came with a big reputation from her trainer Norman Williamson of Oak Tree Farm. The filly is the 2nd foal out of a Galileo mare who is from the family of Group 1 performers Livadiya & Linngari and will be trained by Richard Hannon.
The second purchase was Lot 47 a son of US stallion Kitten’s Joy who cost €175,000. Once again this colt was one of the top 5 breezers on the clock and is the 3rd foal out of the Grade 1 performer Queen Martha. A strong and racy colt he can be expected to be out over 7f and will be trained by Mark Johnston.
The third purchase was Lot 74 a son of US stallion Arch who cost €130,000. This colt was big and strong and came highly recommended from the vendors of 2016 Group winning Juvenile Syphax and this colt is half-brother to no less than 3 other black-type winners including European Gr.3 winner Maoineach. He can be expected to be out over 8f and will be trained by Mark Johnston.
The fourth and final purchase was Lot 133 a stunning daughter of Mastercraftsman. This filly had size & scope, breezed well and came well recommended by her trainer Willie Browne. She is the 1st foal out of the winning Galileo mare Goddess Of Love whose dam Maroochydore was a Listed winning 2yo. This filly cost €320,000 and will be trained by Richard Hannon.
The breeze-up sales calendar now moves to Goresbridge for the last of the sales where there are 237 lots offered selling on Friday 26th May. There will be a large number of winners that will come from this sale and it can often represent great value.