The first yearling sale of the European calendar, the August Yearling Sale began on Saturday.
At the end of the first day, that was marked by strong demand, a total of 84% of the 133 lots that went through the ring changed hands for an average price of €177,339, generating a turnover of €19,862,000.
Organised according to a new format that offers three days of sales of similar quality without parts, the results of this first day are not directly comparable to the results of the first day of previous years which hosted Part 1 of the catalogue.
Eagerly awaited around the ring, a son of Shamardal out of group winner LADY FRANKEL (lot 21) and offered by Gestüt Ammerland was subject to a lot of interest.
Bidding on behalf of Godolphin, agent Anthony Stroud had a long battle to secure the colt from the close family of the very talented LADY VETTORI, LOPE DE VEGA, BAL DE LA ROSE, DANCETERIA and BLOSSOMTIME.
After having the final say at €1.6 million, he said, “He’s a lovely colt that walks well. He is by Shamardal, a fantastic stallion that we have had a lot of success with. He comes from a great family and a stud that doesn’t need to prove itself. We’re very happy.”
Offered from Haras du Mont dit Mont, the first foal by Sea The Stars out of Prix Finlande (L.) scorer SHAMTEE (lot 133) was knocked down for €675,000. Sébastien Desmontils (Chauvigny Global Equine) had the final say for the colt from the family of Group 1 winners TERRITORIES, HELEN STREET, STREET CRY and VICTOR LUDORUM.
“He’s a magnificent colt that walks very well,” said the agent. “His physique is a mix between what you would expect from a son of Sea The Stars and Shamardal as a damsire. I’ve bought him for my client Mr. Hisaaki Saito, and we are delighted! We haven’t yet decided who will train him, but it will no doubt be in Chantilly, where all Mr. Saito’s horses are trained.”
With seven yearlings bought for a total of €2,135,000, Michel Zerolo (Oceanic Bloodstock) was leading buyer during the first day of the sale. He notably bought, on behalf of Coolmore and American owner Peter Brant, a son of Siyouni (lot 122) for which he went to €580,000. Consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux, the colt is the first foal out of Listed winner SAPA INCA, herself a sister to Critérium International (Gr.1) scorer JOHANNES VERMEER and Group 2 winner ELIZABETH BROWNING.
“He’s a lovely colt with a great pedigree page. We all really liked him,” said the agent. “He’ll go to Ballydoyle.”
A little earlier in the day, the same team went to €460,000 for a half-sister to ONESTO (lot 75), that, following his win in the Prix Greffulhe (Gr.2), went on to take the Grand Prix de Paris (Gr.1) at ParisLongchamp after the catalogue was published.
Offered from Camas Park & Glenvale Studs, the daughter of Gleneagles is from the top family of HASILI, that has notably produced dual Grade 1 winner INTERCONTINENTAL.
During the 2019 August Yearling Sale, Al Shira’aa Farms struck for RUMI, a daughter of Frankel out of SECRETE, that has since won twice at Group level.
The story continues this year with her half-sister by the late Galileo (lot 128), that will now carry the same colours.
Kieran Lalor, the manager of the stable that was originally based in Abu Dhabi, signed the docket at €570,000 for the filly, that is also a sister to Listed scorer SOLAGE from the family of PLUMANIA. She was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. “She’s a very elegant filly,” said Kieran Lalor. “She comes from a great stud and is by Galileo, that I think is the best stallion we have ever known. It’s a lovely family, and we bought her half-sister RUMI at the 2019 sale. The latter has everything to be a Group 1 winner and she is entered in the Prix Jean Romanet next weekend. We’re very pleased to have bought her.”
Earlier in the day, he secured a half-sister to European Champion Two-Year-Old and this year’s Irish 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) winner NATIVE TRAIL (lot 62) for €550,000.
Consigned by Haras d’Haspel, the filly is from the close family of Haydock Sprint Cup (Gr.1) winner AFRICAN ROSE, and Dewhurst Stakes (Gr.1) scorer DISTANT MUSIC. Kieran Lalor said following his purchase, “She’s by Siyouni, a stallion that needs no introduction and comes from a very live family that is filled with black-type. We’re very happy and have high hopes for her.
Among the first lots to go through the ring was a half-sister to Prix de Psyché (Gr.3) winner PENJA (lot 5).
It was M.V. Magnier that had the final say at €550,000 for the daughter of Wootton Bassett from the family of Group winners FRANKYFOURFINGERS, offered from Haras de Castillon.
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