A couple of buyers new to the European bloodstock scene helped Arqana’s August yearling sale begin on a bright note in Deauville, France, Aug. 15.
The free-spending Australia mining magnate Nathan Tinkler, who made a splash in Japan last month, struck early to get a Galileo colt out of the listed-placed Darshaan mare Olimpic Girl for 770,000 euros. The Haras de Meautry-consigned colt, bought through local agent Bertrand Le Metayer, is likely to stay in France and be trained by Richard Gibson.
Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, a member of the Saudi royal family buying as SKAS, was another new face to make a big splash. His purchases included a 650,000-euro Rock of Gibraltar half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Red Rocks and a 400,000-euro colt out of a half-sister to Rock of Gibraltar offered from Haras d’Etreham.
Sheikh Mohammed’s agent, John Ferguson, made a big impact, buying nine lots for 3.36 million euros. They included two expensive lots consigned by Haras du Mezeray -- a 700,000-euro Seeking the Goldfilly out of Italian group I winner Lune D’Or and a 670,000-euro Oasis Dream filly from a famous Ballymacoll Stud family.
Demi O’Byrne’s spending was headed by a 400,000-euro first-crop Oratorio colt bred by Bjorn Nielsen and consigned through Watership Down Stud.
The first-day turnover was 17,785,000 euros, up on the 2007 figure of 17,181,000 euros, while the 214,277-euro average showed a healthy increase compared to last year’s figure of 182,777 euros. The clearance rate for 83 head sold was 78.3%.