NEXT week’s February Mixed Sale at Arqana has been boosted by the addition of three wildcards and 16 supplementary entries, bringing the total offering to 333 lots. The entire catalogue goes under the hammer on Wednesday, February 12th, with bidding beginning at 10am.

Last year’s larger catalogue was offered over two days, returning an average price of €11,847 and median of €5,500. The figures represented decreases of 23% and 15% respectively from the previous year, while the clearance rate dipped marginally to 77%.

A top price of €200,000 was paid for a three-year-old entire by Gemix, closely related to that sire’s star Le Berry. With the next three highest-priced lots were bought back, there was a significant drop down to €80,000 for the next successful sale.

Among the contenders for next week’s top spot are three graded-placed National Hunt mares. Dschingis Love (Lot 93) reached a personal best for Gabriel Leenders last season, placing in a Grade 3 chase at Auteuil, but pulled up on her seasonal return in November.

Listed-winning hurdler French Exit (Lot 129) has also lost her way, but has an attractive pedigree and her sire Spanish Moon is the damsire of He Can’t Dance. Grade 2 runner-up Jaina Kelle (Lot 15), a daughter of Martaline, should also be popular with breeders, if not those looking for racing prospects.

Hoo-ah!

Wildcard Pique Dame (Lot 270) is a promising four-year-old, having won a Class 2 hurdle at Pau on her third start at the end of last month. Scent Of A Woman (Lot 275) is another who recently got off the mark and appeals as a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 filly Purplepay. Her dam, Albisola, is a Group 3 winner and hails from the family of Ectot, Givemethebeatboys and Most Improved.

The other wild card entry, Alpine Beauty (Lot 190), also boasts an attractive pedigree.

The unraced three-year-old by Wootton Bassett is a half-sister to Group 1 scorer Technician, out of a Sadler’s Wells full-sister to two group winners. Turtle Bowl features on the page of Perle Rouge (Lot 27), a six-year-old daughter of Zelzal who won at listed level and was twice listed-placed.

The 43 yearlings catalogued include a half-sister to Group 1 Queensland Oaks runner-up Our Gold Hope (Lot 115). She is one of a handful northern-hemisphere foals by dual Group 1-winning sprinter and subfertile stallion Extreme Choice, the sire of 2024 Melbourne Cup hero Knight’s Choice.