Hubert Barbe’s Horse Racing Advisory lead the way on day one of Autumn Sale

Hubert Barbe’s Horse Racing Advisory were active towards the top end of the market during yesterday’s opening session of the Arqana Autumn sale, with the operation securing two of the three most expensive offerings for a combined sum of €455,000.

The first of the pair was wildcard entry Valajani, formerly trained by Markus Klug in Germany who offered the three-year-old colt through the ring as lot 160.

The son of Jukebox Jury had shown stamina in abundance during his nine-start stint with Klug, placing twice in Listed company over staying distances before running second in the Group 3 St Leger Italiano over a mile and six furlongs on his most recent outing.

A protracted bidding duel between Barbe and Harold Kirk quickly erupted, with the hammer finally came down in favour of the former at a session-topping price of €265,000.

Just a few moments earlier Barbe had parted with another six-figure sum to secure lot 152, a talented three-year-old by the name of Pagero who showed significant promise on the flat during a four-start campaign for trainer Henri-Francois Devin.

Purchased for €40,000 by Paul Nataf from the Arqana August Yearling Sale and out of German Group 3-winning mare, Pagero won twice over a mile and a quarter before finishing fifth in the Listed Grand Prix du Nord on his latest attempt.

The son of Nathaniel is now set to incur a switch to the National Hunt scene after being knocked down to Barbe for €190,000.

Guy Petit was among the most prolific buyers throughout the day’s trade with wildcard entry Cat Tiger emerging as top of the shopping list at €180,000.

Catalogued as lot 190 and consigned by Dominique Bressou, the son of Diamond Boy has been a model of consistency in his career to date, landing the Grade 3 Prix The Fellow at Auteuil before finishing a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois at the same venue.

Despite those performances, the gelding remains a novice and will reportedly target this sphere for his new owner, amateur rider David Maxwell of Unioniste fame.

“I have bought him for amateur David Maxwell and he will join the stables of Paul Nicholls after Sunday's race,” Petit said of Cat Tiger, who holds an entry in the Grade 3 Prix Morgex at Auteuil this weekend.

“The plan for him is to go hunter chasing, although he doesn't qualify for the current season so we will start him in novice races over hurdles before going for the hunter chases.”

British Interest

Protagonists of the British National Hunt scene were also in action at Arqana yesterday afternoon, with Highflyer Bloodstock parting with €65,000 to secure Fence de Bourbon, an unraced daughter of Lord du Sud consigned by Guy Cherel. The operation also bought Dariya, a winner over 1m2f at Vitteaux, for €28,000.

Fresh from his pair of £190,000 purchases at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham November Sale on Friday, leading bloodstock agent Tom Malone was in action once more, stretching to €47,000 for Miranda, a three-time winner up to 1m4f in France from the first crop of Coolmore stallion Camelot.

Monday's results at Arqana