Mid Dancer Half-Brother Tops Summer Sale
The downward trend at European sales of jumping stock maintained its course yesterday at Saint-Cloud where Arqana staged its annual Summer Sale. Despite a drop in turnover of 7.4% on last year the sale still produced a half-dozen six-figure sales.
There was little surprise when lot 78, a Chichicastenango half-brother to French star chaser Mid Dancer, topped the billing when knocked down to Robert Collet for €210,000. Owner Gaëtan Gilles said of the sale, “I wanted €200,000 so for me this represented a good sale.”
Collet was back in action for the late entry (lot 157a) of Young Poli. Listed winner on the flat as a three year-old he has since produced good form over hurdles and boasts a Listed win and Grade 3 second. Sold to end a partnership, Collet went to €125,000 to stave off the eventual underbidder Xavier Papot, son of the majority owner.
Bobby O’Ryan, who has been active at all the sales this year, purchased lot 159, Prince De Beauchene, for €200,000. while James Delahooke was early to strike, landing lot 14, a Mark Dwyer-consigned Barathea gelding for €130,000.
Paul Nataf picked up the last of the big lots when going to €125,000 for lot 214, a three year-old Sendawar half-brother to Listed-winning Laxlova.
Overall the stores were the most disappointing aspect of the sale with just one in two finding a buyer. Private sales of €305,000 helped to buoy the aggregate with twice last year’s figure being registered. Average was down by 8.9% to €26,769.
Highflyer Bloodstock led the buyers tables, securing nine lots for a total of €413,000. The Aga Khan Studs was leading vendor with twelve sold for €322,500.
