Deauville Sale Shows Slight Gains

The August yearling sale conducted by Agence Francaise in Deauville, France showed modest gains, in part because of a smaller catalog. The sale ended Aug. 27 after five days of selling.

There were 453 yearlings on offer, compared to 555 a year ago. Listed as sold were 351 for $28,249,530, an average of $80,483. The 102 not sold represented 22.5% of those offered, a figure that was 34% in 2002.

Last year, the gross was $25,998,763 and the average was $70,748.

The top price of the sale was about $980,000 (the sale currency was euros) for a colt by Sadler's Wells out of the Secretariat mare Sister Dot. The colt, sold by Haras d'Etreham, is a half-brother to grade I winner Dehere (by Deputy Minister). He was purchased by Anthony Stroud.

The price was twice as much as the second highest figure at the auction. About $490,000 was paid for a colt by King's Best and a colt by Anabaa. The King's Best colt, out of Manureva, was bought by John Ferguson. The Anabaa colt was purchased by Horse France.

The top-priced filly, by Fasliyev -- Style for Life, brought about $457,000. She was also bought by Horse France.