A COLT from Willie Browne's Mocklershill Stables in Co Tipperary topped Friday's Arqana Breeze Up Sale in Deauville when selling for €550,000.
The one-day sale saw 84% of the 123 two-year-olds that passed through the ring change hands for an average of €131,777 and total turnover of €13,573,000.
Bloodstock agent Oliver St Lawrence bough the top two lots. The Zoffany colt is a half-brother to the Ger Lyons-trained Lemista, winner of the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes.
“Roger Varian saw him this afternoon and really liked him,” said the agent. “He’s will be trained by him. He’s a strong horse that breezed really well yesterday. It’s very promising for the future. I’ve bought him for a friend of Fawzi Nass.”
A little earlier in the afternoon, the agent bid for the same connections, this time swooping for the first foal by Siyouni out of Faay for €520,000, a sister to Group 1 winner Mecca's Angel and Group 3 winner Markaz from Mick Murphy's Longways Stables.
Several potential buyers vied for a son of More Than Ready from Brendan Holland's Grove Stud. However it was Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland who that had the final say for the colt at €450,000. The colt is the first foal out of a half-sister to US listed winner Meal Penalty.
“There’s everything to like about this horse,” said the Irish agent. “He’s an expressive colt, that is very intelligent and that did a fantastic breeze yesterday. He could run on the turf or the dirt, and it’s possible that he could go to the Middle East. That’s still to be decided.”
A daughter of Cracksman out of a half-sister to Group 2 winner Forthe Millionkiss from Church Farm & Horse Park Stud was snapped up by agent Stephen Hillen, standing beside Dean Reeves, for €420,000.
"She’ll go to the States to join Christophe Clement," Hillen said. "I saw her at the stud a month ago, and I really liked her. I think she could be very good over 2,000 metres [10 furlongs].”
Reeves, who travelled to Deauville for the first time, added: "We came here to find a lovely filly and take her to the States and she ticks all the boxes. We’ll take our time with her and wait for the autumn. Christophe Clement is a very good trainer with whom we’ve had lots of success. We can’t wait for the adventure to start!”
Top buyer at this sale last year, Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock was the second leading purchaser this time around, signing for seven lots for an average of €145,714 totalling €1,020,000, including a daughter of Twirling Candy. Out of the blacktype mare Church Camp, she cost €380,000 and was sold by Malcom Bastard.
Westmeath's Tally-Ho Stud offered a daughter Exceed And Excel from the family of Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Asfurah. Bidding on behalf of Coolmore, Nicolas de Watrigant (Mandore International) had the final say at €360,000 for the filly, saying, “I love this filly! She has an outstanding physique and showed a lot of quality on the track yesterday. She’s by a very good stallion in Exceed And Excel and has been bought for Coolmore.”
Anthony Stroud (Stroud Coleman Bloodstock) bought three lots including a son of Sea The Moon for €350,000. Offered by Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud in Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, the colt is out of listed winner Enjoy The Life and is a brother to listed winner and group-placed Enjoy The Moon.
Stroud said: “I really liked this colt - he did a good breeze and comes from a good family. I’ve bought him for one of my clients - we haven’t yet decided on his future plans, maybe he’ll go to England.”
Earlier in the day, Stroud also struck for a son of Sea The Stars from Church Farm & Horse Park Stud for €300,000. The colt is the second foal out of Mortola, a half-sister to Group 1 winners Jakkalberry, Crackerjack King and Awelmarduk.
“He’s a lovely colt by Sea The Stars,” said the agent. “He did a really good breeze yesterday and will go into training with John and Thady Gosden for the colours of Sheikh Khalid (KHK Racing).”
Mocklershill Stables also sold a brother to dual Group 1 winner Ten Sovereigns for €350,000. The son of No Nay Never was bought by Ross Doyle, who said: "He’s a lovely colt, well made and resembles his sire that is having a very good season. He comes from a great consignor, and we’re really happy! We’ll decide on his trainer later.”
SALE STATISTICS
2022 2021 %
Offered 123 123
Sold 103 108
% sold 83,74 % 87,80 % -4.06 %
Average €131 777 €140 473 -6,19 %
Median €100 000 €101 500
Total €13 573 000 €15 171 100 -10,53 %
TOP BUYERS
LOTS AVERAGE TOTAL
Oliver St Lawrence Bldst 2 €535 000 €1 070 000
Blandford Bldst 7 €145 714 €1 020 000
Marco Bozzi Bldst 6 €152 167 €913 000
Stephen Hillen 3 €233 333 €700 000
Stroud Coleman Bldst 3 €232 333 €697 000
TOP VENDORS
LOTS AVERAGE TOTAL
Mocklershill 8 €211 250 €1 690 000
Church Farm & Horse Park Stud 10 €150 800 €1 508 000
Powerstown Stud 5 €223 000 €1 115 000
Knockanglass Stables 8 €132 500 €1 060 000
Longways Stables 5 €189 600 €948 000