A daughter of Galileo commanded the top price of €1.1 million ($1,357,800 in U.S. funds) during the opening session of Arqana’s Deauville August yearling sale in France. Herve Bunel of Agence FIPS bought the bay filly Aug. 18, outlasting bloodstock agent Nicolas de Watrigant.
Ecurie des Monceaux, which consigned the yearling, bred her in partnership with Skymarc Farm in Ireland. She is the third foal out of the Dansili mare Prudenzia, who captured the 2009 Prix de la Seine in France. Prudenzia is a half sister to Pacifique (by Montjeu), who won the Prix de Lutece (Fr-III) and Prix Madam Jean Couturie in 2011.
The results for the opening session included a gross of €9,119,000 ($11,256,100) for the 63 horses that were sold. The average price was €144,746 ($178,669) and the median price was €95,000 ($117,264).
Compared to last year, when 66 yearlings were sold, the gross rose 3.6%. The average and median grew 8.6% and 46.2%, respectively. The clearance rate was 74.1% compared to 64.7% in 2011.
Arqana reported that two horses were sold privately for a gross of €160,000 ($197,498). The gross, including private sales, was €9,279,000 ($11,453,600).