Lykea the main attraction as solid trade continues at Breeding Stock Sale

Trade proved solid on day three of the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale on Monday, as the year-on-year figures showed positive returns to those recorded 12 months ago.

By the time the final breeding prospect had passed through the Deauville sales ring, 211 of 267 offered lots had sold for a clearance rate of 79 per cent.

The aggregate finished on €2,075,500 - up nine per cent, the average was up three per cent to €9,836, while the median rose from €6,000 to €6,500.

View full Arqana Breeding Stock Sale results and stats

Elisabeth Ribard purchased the session-topper - the Haras du Logis Saint Germain-consigned Lykea - for €55,000. Ribard, who acquired five lots for a total outlay of €105,000 during Monday's session, said no decision had been made as to plans for the Listed-placed daughter of Oasis Dream, who was offered in foal to Charm Spirit.

Earlier in the session the second-top lot went the way of John Kilpatrick, who parted with €53,000 for Seeharn, a Listed-winning daughter of Pivotal offered in foal to Al Wukair by Haras de Castillon.

"The mare will join my stud in Normandy," said Kilpatrick, who operates out of Le Clos Morel near Bayeux. "She will foal down there so her foal will be qualified for French premiums, and then we'll take the offspring to be sold either next year or as a yearling."

The ten-year-old Seeharn, out of a half-sister to Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Malhub, has produced one winner, the Dubawi mare Dhyab, since retiring from racing. Her previous visit to the sales ring saw her fetch 950,000gns from Mandore International at Tattersalls in 2012.

"Al Wukair has been very popular for his first year at stud. I like that she's a daughter of Pivotal," added Kilpatrick, who keeps a broodmare band of around 20.

One buyer with firm plans in place was Larissa Kneip of Haras de Saint Arnoult, as she went to €52,000 for Brigh through Chris Richner Bloodstock. Kneip explained she was hoping for a quick pedigree upgrade for the eight-year-old daughter of Galileo.

"Her Dutch Art two-year-old [Benazir] won by four lengths since the catalogue was printed," she said. "She's entered in a Listed race in Deauville on Saturday and I know her trainer [Francois Rohaut] is very confident. If she runs well this mare will be a black-type producer by Galileo, so she could look cheap."

Brigh won twice for David Simcock in the colours of Al Asayl Bloodstock, and was sold in foal to the owner's stallion Balios, who is being switched to Pegaz Stud in Poland, having spent one season on duty at Haras du Hoguenet.

She is out of La Vida Loca, a Caerleon half-sister to Group 2 winner Crimson Tide, while further back this is the family of Shahrastani.

"She's a young mare and I don't need to explain why everyone needs to have a Galileo in their broodmare band," said Kneip. "She's from a good family, her dam was black type, and she won two herself, including a good maiden race in Britain."

The next name on Brigh's dance card will be Dschingis Secret, as Kniep explained that the mare had been purchased on behalf of the Group 1 winner's owner.

"She's been bought for Horst Pudwill and his associates, I've got seven for them today," she said. "They're really supporting their stallion as they have another 13 mares at home and they're all going to Dschingis Secret."

Another of the session's leading lights was the three-year-old Footstepsinthesand filly Epouville, who was knocked down to Michel Zerolo of Oceanic Bloodstock, standing with Jeremy Para, for €45,000.

The filly will now head into training with Fabrice Vermeulen, who has enjoyed a breakthrough year with Lily's Candle, the Prix Marcel Boussac winner who topped Saturday's session of the Breeding Stock Sale at €1.1 million when bought by Katsumi Yoshida.

"The aim will be to get some black type for her," said Zerolo. "If you go back she had an entry in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches so she has talent. She's lost her way a little bit but hopefully she will recapture her form."

Epouville, who was offered through Haras D'Ombreville, boasts a eye-catching pedigree, as she is out of Vidiyna, a Danehill Dancer half-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Vazirabad.

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