Gardiala tops Auctav's ML Bloodstock Sale at €66,000

Kapgarde mare Gardiala topped Auctav's online dispersal sale for ML Bloodstock on Wednesday when knocked down to Cecile Adonias and CAVA Associates for €66,000.

The five-year-old, said to be purchased for an Irish client, was the winner of a chase at Pau and Grade 3-placed in the Prix Duc d'Anjou. She was bred out of Grade 3 scorer Laskaline and was offered in foal to Vadamos.

“She was purchased for a client who breeds and primarily buys black-type mares or sisters to black type," said Adonias. "We had to fight and spend a bit more than expected, but we are delighted with this purchase."

Gardiala's sister by Authorized, Coming Alone, was bought for €15,000 by Jacky Thomas.

Overall, 18 of the 19 broodmares offered were sold and jumps trainer-turned breeder Guy Cherel was much the most active buyer, registered as the winning bidder for nine of the lots.

Cherel was formerly the trainer for ML Bloodstock, including of the likes of multiple Grade 1 winner Allaho, and explained the reasoning.

"This sale was initiated by Vincent Barrett, whose children do not wish to take over his breeding activity," he said.

"I have trained many of his horses, and mares that were at the sale. I am very attached to many of them and some have not yet shown their full potential. I couldn't buy the whole stock, but I wanted to keep some of them."

Belarderie was one of Guy Cherel's main purchasesCredit: Auctav

Purchases included three-time winner Belarderie, an Al Namix broodmare who has produced three winners from as many runners including Punchestown scorer Intranet. Believed in foal to Nirvana Du Berlais, she went for €36,000.

Preciously, covered by Intello and the dam of US Grade 2 winner Crystal Cliffs, was chalked up to Cherel for €33,000.

"I wanted to buy Ivan Street [€28 000] in particular," continued Cherel. "I had bought her dam for ML Bloodstock. It is a bloodline that I wanted to integrate into my breeding.

"Belarderie is from a family that trainer Jean Dasque raced when I was young and the broodmare has already produced some illustrious offspring.

"Prestissima [€13,000], who has won twice on the Flat, I couldn't let her go either. In the case of Preciously, it was a good deal for a black-type broodmare."

He added: "Now I will look for new partners to finance these purchases. I wish the best to the buyers of the other broodmares. I will follow the progress of their offspring closely, and I will be thrilled with their success."

Breeders the Cypres family bought Dahlia D'Arthel for €36,000 and Andree Cypres said: "I owned [her half-brother] Enjeu D'Arthel throughout his racing career, as well as [sibling] Jardin D'Arthel.

"It's a family we like a lot, with winners in each generation. They are serious horses and performers. We are fond of French chasers and this is a bloodline we wanted to get.

"This broodmare is by Network, she is in foal to Chœur Du Nord. She ticked almost all the boxes for a breeder. I now have two females of this pedigree.

"I bought Dahlia d'Arthel with my son Nicolas and one of his friends, Nicolas Briet, who is passionate about breeding. This is the new generation investing for the future."

Josbella was the only Purebred Arabian in the catalogue and also a mare who had been covered. Saubouas Bloodstock picked her up for €50,000.

Representative Paul Basquin said: "I bought Josbella for one of my clients. She will join the Haras du Saubouas. She is a gorgeous and young mare whose real potential is unknown.

"Still, she seems to have already produced an exciting horse with Bucanero, who will run a very good race in February in Doha.

"She is in foal to Muraaqib, a promising young stallion. She is also interesting because she is free of Amer's blood and, therefore, very easy to cross. It is a beautiful family, that of Josco du Cayrou."

Arnaud Angeliaume, the managing director of Auctav, said: "We couldn't have started the year any better. It was a nice sale that we are proud to have organised with the confidence of ML Bloodstock.

"The catalogue attracted many new bidders on the Auctav platform, and we note the strong interest in the French National Hunt profiles on a European level, with many lots strongly fought for."

The next Auctav monthly sale is on February 22.

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