Montaigu draft offers extra chance to buy into the family of Derby winner

Though they top the Arqana bill this weekend with a half-sister to the Derby winner, Aliette and Gilles Forien of Haras de Montaigu have 13 other lots catalogued – variously on their own behalf and for clients – over the three days of the August sale. And those wanting to buy into that Wings Of Eagles pedigree have two other chances to do so.

Lot 125 is a Sea The Stars colt out of a sister to the feted Ysoldina, Causa Proxima, whose unlucky career featured a fast-finishing third in a Listed race at La Teste.

Of her son, Aliette says: "He is a lovely-looking colt, really well made and fairly typical of the family, quite imposing. But in general they are not backward and can be quite precocious. This one has a really fine stamp."

Size is also the theme with Lot 166, a Camelot daughter of Gyrella, Ysoldina's daughter by Oasis Dream. "She is no half-measure but again, a well-built filly," says Aliette. "But the whole family has size, and she is beautiful."

Two other lots are earmarked as Montaigu "coups de coeur".
Aliette says: "There is the colt out of Spring Morning [Lot 263] – who is French Fifteen's dam – a yearling by So You Think who goes through the ring on Monday. Maybe the sire isn't to everyone's taste but those of us who know this colt love him and had no hesitation in putting him forward for August.

"And then Lot 1 is by Frankel and is a super colt, I love him. I hope people make sure they take their seats early because he is really worth it. It's not a great draw but he is a top colt. His full brother Chemical Charge has won since the catalogue was published, as well. He belongs to a client and we are all dreaming together."

The people who brought Wings Of Eagles to the sale two years ago - where the son of Pour Moi was sold for €220,000 - know better than most that while many dreams remain just that, every once in a while, they take flight.