A quality catalogue had drawn the who’s who of international breeding to a Christmassy Deauville for the Breeding Stock Sale, and that winning combination resulted in a very strong set of figures.
Last year’s record-breaking turnover was surpassed, with the 163 fillies, mares and foals on offer grossing €22,997,000 and the clearance rate took a 4 point leap for 82%.
Only the average price took a slight dip while remaining a healthy €141,086 (-6%).
The excitement in the air was palpable when it came to FRANKEL LIGHT (lot 153)’s turn in the ring, which eventually saw her knocked down for €1,3 million.
Offered by Haras du Mezeray carrying her first foal by Dark Angel, the Listed winning daughter of Frankel is a half-sister to this season’s Australian Group winner LE JUGE from the Niarchos family of Group 1 scorers AVIANCE, CHIMES OF FREEDOM, WAR OF WILL and Ridgemont’s Cape-based sire, PATHFORK.
It was Charlie Gordon-Watson that had the final say in company with Watership Down Stud’s manager Simon Marsh who commented:
“We’ve bought her for Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud and she’ll go to Too Darn Hot next year. We’re delighted to have got her as she’s from a great family.”
Frankel Light’s dam MAMBO LIGHT (lot 212) was another star of the catalogue and was brought to the ring by Haras d’Ombreville. Raced like her daughter by Rashit Shaykhutdinov, the daughter of Kingmambo carried a Sea The Stars covering around the ring and was initially led out unsold until Bob Scarborough secured her for €725,000 through BBA Ireland’s Adrian Nicoll.
Sale continues:
Sunday, December 8 – 10:00 am
Lots 230 to 524 (295 lots)
Monday, December 9 – 11 am
Lots 525 to 827 (303 lots)
Tuesday, December 10 – 11 am
Lots 828 to 1038 (211 lots)
