More Monceaux magic in store as Sottsass and Chicquita siblings head to Arqana

It wouldn't be the Arqana August Sale without a blue-chip draft from perennial leading vendor Ecurie des Monceaux, and the boutique Normandy nursery may have surpassed its own exceptionally high standard with this year's consignment.

Monceaux is due to offer 33 yearlings at the August Sale, which starts its three-day run on Saturday, including a half-brother to the catalogue's cover star Sottsass, a son of Siyouni who won the Prix du Jockey Club and is himself a graduate of this sale.

View full Arqana August Sale catalogue

The colt (lot 21) is out of Starlet's Sister, who is proving herself as one of the best young broodmares in the world, having also produced six-time Grade 1 winner Sistercharlie (by Myboycharlie) and the Group 3-winning My Sister Nat (by Acclamation).

This year's offering from Starlet's Sister is by another different stallion in Fastnet Rock but Monceaux manager Henri Bozo said the colt shared one key similarity with his illustrious siblings.

Lo 21: the Fastnet Rock colt out of Starlet's SisterCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

"He's got the same great mind on him, he's a very easy horse to deal with," said Bozo. "He's active and enjoys the job. I think he's an athlete, and I think that's what Starlet's Sister is doing, she's throwing horses who love running.

"She's an exceptional broodmare and we're so fortunate to have her."

Starlet's Sister is far from the only high-achieving producer residing in Monceaux's picturesque paddocks, as the farm is also home to Prudenzia, who will be bidding to supply a remarkable fifth seven-figure yearling at the August Sale when her Dubawi filly (148) comes on the market during Sunday's session.

"I think she's a bit of a jewel," Bozo said of the half-sister to Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita and Ribblesdale Stakes winner Magic Wand. "She's a May filly so she's going to change quite a bit but she's got an awful lot of quality, she's correct and she seems to be popular."

Lot 148: the Dubawi filly out of PrudenziaCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

The progeny of Prudenzia, who is still only 14, have generated receipts totalling €6.57 million at Arqana alone, a figure that doesn't include Chicquita's €6m sale at Goffs in November 2013. It seems certain that sum will rise - possibly significantly - at some point on Sunday evening.

There is also a full-brother to high-class two-year-olds Lope Y Fernandez, who was bought at Arqana last year for €900,000, and Dark Vision among the Monceaux draft.

"He's very active and an amazing walker, he's got the same movement as his brother had at this time last year," Bozo said of the Lope De Vega colt (60). "The stallion is going from strength to strength too, so he's been very popular as well."

Lot 60: the Lope De Vega brother to Lope Y Fernandez and Dark VisionCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

Those lots are just three among a host of yearlings with star potential in the Monceaux draft, which includes two lots apiece by Galileo (a filly out of Pembina and a colt out of Prudente), Frankel and Invincible Spirit, three by Sea The Stars and the same number by Shalaa - a group that includes a closely-related half-sister to National Defense (48) - and a quartet of Kingmans.

Despite millions of euros worth of investment on the line over the coming three days of trade, Bozo cut a notably relaxed figure during a busy morning of inspections on Friday.

"I think the market will be good, I've seen plenty of people looking for nice horses so I'm positive," he said. "Of course it's hectic but I enjoy it once the horses get to the sale, getting them here is a bit of a relief.

"The team is working hard and it's a pleasure to see everyone pulling together. You've just got to stay on your toes and stay active."

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