SATURDAY'S Arqana Breeze Up Sale in Deauville saw 87% of the 167 two-year-olds offered sold for an average price of €150,789, which was almost 16% up on last year.

There was 37% more horses sold this year and total spending was over €21 million, a jump of 58% on 2022. Some 10 horses made €400,000 or more during the session, compared with four last year.

Brendan Holland's Grove Stud in Fermoy sold the top-priced lot, a colt by Siyouni, for €1.2 million to bloodstock agent Oliver St Lawrence. The colt hails from the family of group race winners Manuela De Vega, Pont Aven, Sainte Marine and Josr Algarhoud. Holland bought the colt for €200,000 from Mount Coote Stud at last year's Goffs Orby Sale.

“He’s a lovely colt and there is everything to like about him,” said St Lawrence. “He has it all - he breezed well, is by a great stallion and has a great pedigree. He’s been bought for a Bahraini owner, and will most likely be trained in England.”

A little earlier in the day, St Lawrence had gone to €450,000 for a daughter of Sioux Nation from Johnny Hassett's The Bloodstock Connection. The well-bred half-sister to listed winner and group-placed Manhattan Jungle hails from the family of Group 1 scorers Waikika and Emaraaty Ana.

“She’s a magnificent filly that has scope and an exceptional temperament,” he said after signing the docket. “She’s been bought by Fawzi Nass and will also be trained in England.”

Godolphin purchase

Anthony Stroud made his presence felt around the ring when buying five lots including a son of Dubawi for which he went to €800,000. Consigned by Norman Williamson's Oak Tree Farm, the colt is related to Paix, Magic Wand, Chicquita and Philomene. He was bought on behalf of Godolphin and will join Charlie Appleby.

“He’s a colt that really stands out,” said Stroud. "Norman and Janet Williamson have done a great job with him. He’s a son of Dubawi from a great family.”

Williamson and agent Mags O'Toole bought the colt for €150,000 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale.

A few lots earlier, Stroud signed for a daughter of Kodiac for €500,000. Out of a half-sister to dual group winner Centennial, she was consigned by Glending Stables. The filly is from the family of Group 1 winners Croco Rouge, Taipan, Ali-Royal, Sleepytime and It's Somewhat.

Coolmore buys

Eagerly awaited in the ring, a son of Uncle Mo out of multiple group race winner Summer Applause was knocked down for €600,000 in favour of Jamie McCalmont who was bidding on behalf of Coolmore.

Consigned by Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud, the colt is from the maternal line of Group 1 winner Beyond Brilliant and the talented Recoup The Cash and Brooklyn Strong.

“Uncle Mo is probably one of the best American stallions,” said McCalmont. "He did a very good breeze on Thursday. He’ll now go to the United States and join Todd Pletcher.”

First crop

Another consigned by Grove Stud, a filly from the first crop of Blue Point out of stakes winner Shimmering Moment, made €500,000. The well-bred filly hails from the close family of dual Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint scorer Stormy Liberal.

Bidding on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables, Nicolas Bertran de Balanda (NBB Racing) signed the docket for the filly. He said, “She’s a lovely filly that has size and is very athletic. She did a very good breeze on Thursday and her sire has made a very good debut to his stallion career. She’ll go to the United States to be trained by Arnaud Delacour.”

Among the other lots to make more than €400,000 was a brother to classic winner Txope who made €420,000 to Richard Brown (Blandford Bloodstock). Offered from Willie Browne's Mocklershill, the son of Siyouni is out of the blacktype Power Of The Moon from the family of dual group race scorer Zinziberine.

Knocked down for the same amount, a daughter of Lope De Vega out of group race scorer Cottonmouth went the way of Alex Elliott. Consigned by Grove Stud, the filly is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Dylan Mouth.

SALE STATISTICS

YEAR OFF SOLD % AVERAGE MEDIAN AGGREGATE

2023 167 140 84% €150,789 €105,000 €21,110,500

2022 123 102 83% €131,010 €100,000 €13,363,000