Fillies by Monsun and Galileo cracked the seven-figure barrier Aug. 16 at the opening session of the elite Arqana Deauville yearling sale, which saw strong trade throughout.
Soon after selling got under way, a filly from the final crop of deceased German sire Monsun sold for the highest price of €1.2 million ($1,607,986 in United States funds) to Tony Nersus, acting on behalf of Kuwaiti owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar.
The session was a huge success for Lucien Urano's Ecurie de Monceaux, which consigned five of the day's top 10 highest-priced horses, including the session-topping filly.
She was produced by the Dashing Blade mare Sasuela, who is a half sister to three group I winners: Schiaparelli, Samum, and Salve Regina, all by Monsun. The British-bred filly is a half sister to six winners including German group I winner Seismos, and is from the extended family of smashing German Derby (Ger-I) winner Sea The Moon. Ecurie de Monceaux bred her in partnership with Haras de St. Pair.
Late in the evening, a daughter of Europe's leading sire Galileo sold for the session's second-highest price, with Anthony Stroud Bloodstock for €1 million ($1,339,988) acquiring the first foal out of stakes-placed Dance Secretary, by Danehill Dancer. The dam is a half sister to 2003 Canadian champion turf male Perfect Soul , a grade I winner in the United States for owner/breeder Charles Fipke, who bred the seven-figure filly in France. Haras de la Reboursiere Et De Montaigu consigned.
Figures were up double-digit percentage points across the board. Overall, 65 of 79 horses sold for total receipts of €16,237,000 ($21,757,395), a 14% rise from last year's opening session.
The average price was €249,800 ($334,729), up 15%, and the median was €170,000 ($227,798), ballooning 32%.
The clearance rate was 82.3%
Eight horse were knocked down for €500,000 ($669,900) or more (compared with six last year) and 29 for sold for €200,000 ($$267,960) or more, pointing to a real strength in depth of the market.
A daughter of Invincible Spirit, bred in Ireland by Ecurie de Monceaux in partnership with Skymarc Farm, sold for the session's third-highest price of €850,000 ($1,138,990) to Coolmore's M. V. Magnier. Her dam is the Linamix mare Tonnara, who has produced three winners from as many to race, including 2012 St. James's Palaces Stakes (Eng-I) winner Most Improved, by Lawman, and 2013 Criterium International (Fr-I) winner Ectot, by Hurricane Run.
Offspring of second-crop sire Sea The Stars brought two of top 10 highest prices, with a daughter of the unraced Selkirk mare Vedela going to Irish agents Ross and Peter Doyle on behalf of South African Markus Jooste's Mayfair Speculators for €700,000 ($937,992). The Irish-bred filly, also bred by Ecurie de Monceaux in partnership with Skymarc Farm, is the second foal for her dam, a daughter of French group I winner Vadawina.
A French-bred Sea The Stars filly from French classic-placed Ysoldina sold to trainer Pascal Bary for €600,000 ($803,993). Group III winner Ysoldina, a daughter of Kendor who was third in the 2005 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-I, French One Thousand Guineas), has produced two winners, both stakes-placed. The filly was bred by Aliette Forien.
Another filly from the final crop of Monsun made the top 10 horses to sell when secured by the Doyles and Mayfair Speculators for €650,000 ($870,992). Bred in France by Guy Heald, she is the second foal out of German and Swiss stakes winner Dubai Rose, a half sister to group II winner Hanami, and was offered by La Motteraye Consignment.
Ecurie de Monceaux also offered a daughter of Galileo out of German-bred 2007 Beverly D. (gr. I) winner Royal Highness, by Monsun, who sold for €560,000 ($750,393) to China Horse Club. The bay filly, bred in Ireland by the consignor, is a half sister to French group II winner Free Port Lux.
Coolmore was the leading buy at the first session with four yearlings for a combined €1,755,000 ($2,351,349). Mandore International was second with eight yearling bought for a total of €1,715,000 ($2,297,757), most notably on behalf of Sheikh Joaan Al Thani's Al Shaqab Racing.
The sale continues Aug. 17 with the second of three sessions.
For hip-by-hip results, click here.
