There is nothing like a timely update for a sales yearling, and astute pinhooker Con Marnane signed for a pair of lots that have had winning siblings since the publication of the catalogue during the opening session of the Osarus September Yearling Sale on Wednesday. The dearest of those was the €105,000 session-topping Wootton Bassett (GB) colt from Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard (lot 34), whose 2-year-old half-brother Showroom (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) won by five on debut at Goodwood on Tuesday to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Nick Skelton syndicate and trainer Mark Johnston. It certainly doesn't hurt that their half-sister Al Wathna (GB) (Nayef) won last year's G2 Prix de Malleret for Al Shaqab. Lemon Twist is herself a half-sister to stakes winner Lake Palace (GB) (Nayef), and they descend from the G2 Prix Pomone and G1 Prix Vermeille third Light The Lights (Fr), who is the second dam of Classic winners Latice (Ire) and Lawman (Fr).
Marnane also spent €70,000 on the day's third-highest priced lot, a Kheleyf half-sister (lot 15) to G2 Gimcrack S. winner Sands Of Mali (Fr) (Panis) consigned by Haras des Faunes
Upon conclusion of the first day of trade, 99 yearlings were sold from 133 offered, with 34 (25.6%) failing to find new homes. The first-day aggregate was €2,168,000, and the average €21,899. Full comparative statistics will be available after Thursday's second session.
Wednesday's second-highest priced offering, and highest-priced filly, was another by a successful French-based sire, Siyouni (Fr). Haras d'Ommeel's daughter of the two-time winner Paper Profits (GB) (Kendor {Fr}) (lot 86) was picked up by Haras du Saubouas for €80,000. The dam has already produced two stakes-placed winners: Double Look (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Scarlet Honey (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
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