NEWS
Japanese dominate top of the market at Arqana breeding stock sale
Posted: Saturday, December 04, 2010 6:03 PM
Celimene, a multiple Group 3 winner in France last year, was purchased on Saturday by Tetsuya Yoshida of Japan’s Shadai Farm for $1,059,679 (800,000 euros), the top price at a strong opening session of the Arqana December breeding stock sale.
The price was the highest at the sale since 2006. Twenty-seven horses were sold for six figures on Saturday, including three for more than $662,299 (500,000 euros).
Arqana reported 175 of 209 horses offered as sold for total receipts of $14,396,412 (10,868,500 euros), up 25% from last year’s opening session, when 170 horses were sold. Average price was $82,266 (62,106 euros), marking a 21.5% rise, and median price remain static at $39,738 (30,000 euros). The clearance improved from 77.6% last year to 83.7%.
“We are very pleased with the results of this first session and particularly to see that breeders who, despite the current economic climate, have trusted the Deauville market and its capacity to attract the right buyers for quality fillies and mares have been handsomely rewarded,” Arqana Chairman Eric Hoyeau said. “Indeed we have observed very good response from Japan and Australia, two great breeding countries who are looking more and more toward Europe, as well as from the U.S. and several European nations.
“As for the middle market, it has held up well thanks to the realistic assessments made by our vendors, and resulted in an impressive clearance rate.”
The session topper is a four-year-old filly by Dr Fong out of the winning Groom Dancer mare Lunassa and was an $85,782 purchase at the 2007 Deauville October yearling sale. She was consigned by trainer Carlos Lerner, for whom she won the 2009 Prix Penelope (Fr-G3) and Prix de Flore (Fr-G3) and finished a creditable fourth in the Prix de Diane (Fr-G1) (French Oaks). Although she is winless this season, she finished third to Cutlass Bay in the Prix d’Harcourt (Fr-G2) and second to Plumania (GB) in the Prix Corrida.
Celimene is a half sister to stakes winner and stakes producer Lunaska.
Another Yoshida family member grabbed the spotlight on Saturday when representatives of Katsumi Yoshida’s Northern Farm secured Italian Group 1 winner Lune d’Or for $993,449 (750,000 euros), the day’s second-highest price.
Consigned by Haras du Mezeray, the five-year-old Green Tune mare was offered in foal to leading sire Galileo (Ire). She is out of multiple group-placed stakes winner Luth D’Or, by Noir et Or. Luth D’Or is a half sister to French champion Luth Enchantee (Fr).
Shadai Farm bought the day’s third-highest price when landing multiple Group 3 winner La Boum for $927,219 (700,000 euros) out of the Haras d’Auquainville consignment. The seven-year-old Monsun mare out of La Bouche by In the Wings (GB) placed in several group stakes this season. She has an overall record of five wins, three seconds, and nine thirds from 34 career starts and $482,035 in lifetime earnings.
For sales results, click here.
