by Emma Berry
In less than seven years, the name Osarus has become a force to be reckoned with on the European sales circuit, thanks in part to its backing by Tattersalls, which is now a majority stake-holder in the French-based auction company.
Today, Osarus hosts the sixth renewal of its breeze-up sale but for the first time it is to be staged just outside Bordeaux at La Teste de Buch, home to the September Yearling Sale, which set a new benchmark for the fledgling company in 2014 with the first six-figure horse to be sold at any of its sales. One of last year's yearling sales graduates, Du Pyla (Fr) (Vertigineux {Fr}), became a great advertisement for Osarus when winning his third consecutive juvenile race of the season at Chantilly on Monday.
In Pornichet 12 months ago, the highest price given for a 2-year-old was €75,000 for a daughter of Mastercraftsman (Ire), while the average stood at €16,255 and the median at €10,000. Hopes are high that those figures can be surpassed today.
Alban Chevalier du Fau made his debut as a consignor at the first ever Osarus breeze-up in 2008, selling three of the five top lots. Now working in partnership with Englishman Jamie Railton under the banner of The Channel Consignment, he offers seven juveniles for sale this afternoon, including a first-crop daughter of Lilbourne Lad (Ire) (lot 15), who is currently leading the European first-crop sires' table with two winners from his nine starters to date.
“There's much better quality in the horses offered by consignors this year,” said Chevalier du Fau.
“There are horses here by some of the leading sires in France–Kendargent, Le Havre, Siyouni, etc. I'm pleased by the individuals in our draft and I think our stats will also help buyers to have confidence in us.”
There's no doubt that it could be a stellar year on the track for breeze-up graduates of The Channel Consignment, which include Al Shaqab Racing's exciting Group-placed 3-year-old Karar (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and debutant winner Vision Des Aigles (Fr) (Vision d'Etat {Fr}), as well as the twice listed-placed Zvarkhova (Fr) (Makfi {GB}).
Chevalier du Fau is pleased by the sale's move farther south from Pornichet to Bordeaux.
He said: “It's better to breeze on the grass and the facilities here at La Teste are much better for owners and buyers. I'm very hopeful it will be a good sale.”
The success of Haras de la Cauviniere resident Le Havre (Fr) continues unabated with Suedois becoming his latest stakes winner in the listed Prix Servanne last week at Maisons-Laffitte while 2-year-old Noce took Chantilly's Prix Caravelle on Monday. Two of his daughters feature in today's catalogue, including the chesnut Regalita (Fr) (lot 50), a half-sister to listed-placed Politeo (Fr) (Lando {Ger}). She is offered by the sale's largest consignor numerically, Haras de Saint Arnoult, which is set to sell 14 of the 59 youngsters of the session following nine withdrawals at the time of writing.
Some overnight rain on Sunday was welcomed ahead of yesterday's practice breeze after the Bordeaux region had enjoyed a week of hot, dry weather. The horses are set to breeze at 8.30am local time with the sale starting at 2.30pm.
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