Siyouni Nom Tops Seasons Auction

A nomination to leading young French sire Siyouni (Fr) was the highest-priced offering at Friday evening's stallion seasons' auction to benefit the anti-waste-dump efforts in Nonant-le-Pin. The nomination was sold to Mick Flanagan for €52,000. Siyouni, the sire of this year's triple Group 1 and Classic winner Ervedya (Fr), will stand at the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval for €30,000 in 2016. The auction of 16 nominations–as well as an option to Kingman (GB)–raised a total of €282,500.

Proceeds from the auction–organized by Arqana and the Association Sauvegard des Terres d'Elevage–will go towards the legal bills–about €500,000 annually–of the anti-waste-dump movement. The dump, which has the capacity for 2.3 million tons of car parts and industrial waste, was opened in October 2013 in Nonant-le-Pin, the heart of Normandy's Thoroughbred breeding region. It was open for just two days before being shut down by protestors. Courts ordered the project to be shut down in late 2014, but that order was later overturned. The case has been reopened and a decision is due early next year.

“It's always difficult to ask for help but it's a problem that's a concern for everybody,” said Eric Puerari, president of the Association Sauvegard des Terres d'Elevage and co-owner of Haras des Capucines, one of the approximately 150 stud farms that lies adjacent to the waste dump. “It was a big polluting project but with the help of the government I think it won't happen now. We have a very solid case that shows that this authorization has been given on a wrong basis.”

The second-highest price was brought by a nomination to Le Havre (Ire), which was purchased by Lady O'Reilly for €44,000. Lady O'Reilly also signed for a nomination to Anodin (Fr) for €8,000. Those stallions stand for €35,000 and €7,500, respectively. An option to Juddmonte Farm's Kingman was bought by Andreas Putsch for €20,000.

Puerari noted that the waste dump fight looks to fall the way of the breeding industry, with the government set to support their case.

“The government is part of the decision and they are giving their opinion that this place should be closed definitely,” he said.

Also sold were: Camelot, €25,000; Dalakhani, €15,000; Evasive, €5,000; Galiway, €10,000; Iffraaj, €32,000; Makfi, €22,000; Martaline, €15,000; Maxios, €11,000; Mutathir, €7,000; Myboycharlie, €2,000; Olympic Glory, €16,000; Planteur, €4,500; Saint des Saints, €14,000.