Issam Fares to Disperse Racing and Breeding Stock at Arqana

Issam Fares will disperse his equine holdings at the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale and the 2019 Arqana February Mixed Sale, Arqana announced on Monday. The Lebanese owner/breeder, who has enjoyed success at the highest level with Miss Alleged (Alleged), Highest Honor (Fr) (Kenmare {Fr}), and Lady Winner (Fr) (Fabulous Dancer) and also bred the likes of Da Hoss (Gone West), Reve d'Oscar (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) and Curlin (Smart Strike), will offer four young mares as wild cards at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale from Dec. 8-11.

Led by Zghorta Dance (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) (lot 140), a Group 3 winner who was runner-up in the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio and in foal to Muhaarar (GB), the rest of the Fare quartet are: lot 190, G2 Prix de Pomone victress Baino Hope (Fr) (Jeremy), who is out of Baino Ridge (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) and in foal to Kingman (GB), as is Roman Ridge (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 110) and carrying to Wootton Bassett (GB); and finally listed winner and MGSP Wedge Trust (Ire) (Zamindar) (lot 100) in foal to Gleneagles (Ire).

The remaining breeding stock, 14 foals turned short yearlings by such sires as Camelot (GB), Le Havre (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr), some mares with late service dates carrying to stallions like Anodin (Ire), Charm Spirit (Ire), and Dabirsim (Fr), and fillies out of training, will go under the hammer during the Arqana Mixed February Sale from Feb. 12-13.

“Racing and breeding has given me immense satisfactions, notably the Breeders' Cup victories of Miss Alleged and Da Hoss, the two Horse of the Year titles won by my homebred Curlin, as well as the many trophies collected by Highest Honor,” said Issam Fares. “It is difficult to turn a page that has been so important for me, but I hope that the families that I had so much pleasure with will continue to prosper for other breeders.”

Added Arqana President Eric Hoyeau, “It is an honour for Arqana to have been chosen to disperse Mr. Fares's bloodstock interests. His colours and breeding have made their marks throughout the world. From the Breeding Stock Sale, breeders will have the possibility of buying young black-type mares out of maternal lines that produced horses such as Miss Alleged, Act One, and Take Risks. This dispersal is a rare opportunity, and its impact will no doubt honour the breeding operation developed with passion by Issam Fares over several decades.”