Arc Sale A Worldwide Hit

Chantilly, FRANCE–The success of a sale can only truly be measured by the racetrack exploits of its graduates, and by that measure Arqana's Arc Sale is certainly holding its own. The boutique horses in training sale, which begins at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday at trainer Robert Collet's Pharis Yard just minutes from Chantilly, has had graduates winning all over the globe in 2017. Wake Forest (Ger) (Sir Percy {GB}) was expatriated to America after being purchased for €140,000 in 2015, and he won the GI Man O'War S. the following year and added this year's GII Mac Diarmida S. Wekeela (Fr) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) won the GIII WinStar Matchmaker S. in July also for trainer Chad Brown, and Bobby Flay's Banzari (GB) (Motivator {GB}), bought for €400,000 last year, picked up valuable Grade I black-type just weeks after her sale when third in Woodbine's GI E.P. Taylor S. last year.

On the home front, Sans Equivoque (Ger) (Stormy River {Fr}) won the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte just 13 days after being bought by Sun Bloodstock for €180,000 last year. Suedois (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), a 2015 graduate for €165,000, continues to be one of the most consistent older sprinters in Europe, and he won the Sept. 9 G2 Boomerang S. Auvray (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), the €800,000 top lot at the sale in 2014, flew the flag Down Under last weekend when winning the G3 Colin Stephen Quality S. for the China Horse Club.

While these are certainly worthy accomplishments for the Arqana principals to reflect on, it is time to look forward to Saturday's renewal, which appears on paper to boast plenty of quality. The sale is positioned on Arc eve to take advantage of the out-of-towners flocking in to enjoy France's showpiece race, and buyers have the chance to purchase a horse to run in their name in the Arc the following day: Silverwave (Fr) (Silver Frost {Ire}) (lot 16). The 5-year-old beat only three home in last year's Arc, but he won the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly on June 4 this year before recording an equal career best RPR of 118 when second to Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Last year's Arc Sale was topped by the €1.9-million stakes-winning 2-year-old filly Toulifaut (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and this year's catalogue of 50 includes four 2-year-olds with black-type. Rimini (Fr) (Elusive City) (lot 6) won the G3 Prix d'Arenberg on Sept. 3, while So Hi Society (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}) (lot 13) is a filly with residual value, having finished third in listed company at Newmarket in July.

Of the 33 3-year-olds set for sale, Freddy Head offers the progressive filly Aladdine (GB) (Naaqoos {GB}) (lot 5), who won the G3 Prix Texanita in May. Pia Brandt's listed-winning Normandel (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) (lot 12) has an eye-catching pedigree, being a half-sister to Group 1 winner Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}) out of a half-sister to Linngari (Ire) (Indian Ridge {GB}).

The Wertheimer brothers offer six homebreds, including Galipad (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 22), a progressive stayer who won in listed company in May and was third over one mile seven furlongs on Aug. 13.

The catalogue also includes four horses with top German form. The 108-rated Real Value (Fr) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) (lot 28) won at Group 3 level over one mile two furlongs on Aug. 20, while Ashiana (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (lot 42) is one of the country's top fillies, with three stakes wins this season including the Sept. 2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis. Trainer Andreas Wohler sends two of Germany's best milers to Chantilly: G2 German 2000 Guineas winner Poetic Dream (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) (lot 37) and Empire Of The Star (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) (lot 56), who has been on the board in all six starts this year including a third in the German 2000 Guineas.

The Aga Khan's three-horse consignment includes leading 3-year-old stayer Darbuzan (Fr) (Zamindar) (lot 52), who won the G3 Prix de Lutece on the day the catalogue was published. The six wildcards include two fillies that have picked up black-type this month: the Sept. 9 Listed Prix Occitanie winner Miss Melbourne (Fr) (Kentucky Dynamite) (lot 20) and the Sept. 21 Listed Prix Coronation third Bijin (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 35).