Interesting recruits to the Irish jumps sire ranks change hands at Arqana

The Irish jumps stallion ranks gained two interesting new recruits during the final session of Arqana's four-day Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, including the high-class Flat performer Silverwave, who was knocked down to George Mullins for €105,000.

The son of Silver Frost proved a tough and talented runner throughout his career, having won ten races, including the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, in which he saw off Erupt by a cosy length and a half.

"The owner doesn't know where he wants him to stand yet but he'll go to a National Hunt stud in Ireland," said Mullins. "He had plenty of success on the racetrack, including a Group 1 win. He's a seven-year-old now, he's stayed sound and is well proven.

"He looked very well in the ring and has a great walk on him too."

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Silverwave, a half-brother to Group 1 winner and Haras de Saint Arnoult sire Stormy River, has been through the ring on three previous occasions.

He went unsold at €60,000 as a yearling but, having proved his talent on the track, was sold to Alain Couetil for €420,000 at the end of his juvenile campaign. He then went the way of Martin Schwartz for €500,000 when signed for by Oceanic Bloodstock during the Arc Sale in 2017.

Two lots later Arthur Moore, seated in the front row of the auditorium opposite the rostrum, went to €48,000 to secure Saddex when the 16-year-old was offered by Haras de Mirande.

The son of Sadler's Wells has spent the past two seasons at Haras de Mirande, having previously stood at Gestut Westerberg and Haras de La Courlais, and his sale sees him join another graduate of the Arqana ring in Blackrath Stud's Policy Maker.

"He's going to Ireland to be a jumping stallion and will stand alongside Policy Maker at Peter Maher's Blackrath Stud," said Moore, who signed on behalf of his son, bloodstock agent JD.

Policy Maker was selected by Maher and Adam Potts, who bought the horse for €25,000 at the 2015 Breeding Stock Sale. The son of Sadler's Wells has seen a surge in popularity since his son Chacun Pour Soi, conceived when Policy Maker stood at Haras National de Gelos, emerged as a potential star for Willie Mullins.

"Peter bought Policy Maker, another son of Sadler's Wells, here a few years ago and, since the good horse of Willie Mullins' came along he has proved very popular," continued Moore.

"There aren't many sons of Sadler's Wells left and the horse looks very healthy. He hasn't been over covered so there should be a good five or six seasons in him yet."

Saddex was a dual Group 1 winner during his time on the track, and he has since gone on to sire Blue Sari, a promising hurdler and runner-up to Envoi Allen in the Champion Bumper, and the smart hurdler Rock De Baune, both of whom are owned by JP McManus.

He has also been represented by the German Group 2-winning Flat performer Pas De Deux.

Blue Sari: Saddex's son chases home Envoi Allen in the Grade 1 Champion BumperCredit: Mark Cranham

Moore added that Saddex would be following in the footsteps of some high-achieving names by switching from France to the County Kildare farm. He said: "Peter's grandfather, Ted Latham, stood horses like Escart, Vulgan and Le Bavard; they were all French-breds who sired Cheltenham and Grand National winners.

"Hopefully Saddex will be able to continue that tradition."

The other stallion prospect on offer, German Group 1 winner Khan, went unsold at €95,000 when presented by former Ecurie des Monceaux yearling manager Antoine Bellanger, who was presenting his first offering under the Arcadia Elevage banner.

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