Major owner-breeder dispersals headline Arqana February Sale

Dispersals from renowned owner-breeders Issam Fares and the late Marquesa de Moratalla look to be the major attractions as Arqana’s first event of 2019 begins on Tuesday with the two-day February Mixed Sale beginning at 10am local time (9am GMT).

The Marquesa, perhaps best known for the exploits of Cheltenham Gold Cup star The Fellow but a breeder of Classic winners such as Tin Horse, died at the end of 2017 but horses have continued to compete in her scarlet silks.

View full Arqana February Sale catalogue

The dispersal’s first stage, a dozen fillies and mares offered by the Channel Consignment, features Graciously (Lot 119), a Shamardal half-sister to the top-class Giofra who comes in foal to Invincible Spirit, and Red Whisper (29), who obliged on both starts in the provinces last autumn.

Meanwhile Lebanese businessman Fares, who has already sold mares at the December Sale, will sending 43 more varied lots through the ring in Normandy including yearlings and two-year-olds by the likes of Intello and Siyouni.

Missing in many catalogues will be the wildcard addition of lot 125, the three-year-old filly Forestiere. Although her four starts last year for Bruno de Montzey offered little promise, she is a Rajsaman half-sister to 2017 Prix de Sandringham winner La Sardane, who subsequently had a productive spell in the US.

The other wildcard is lot 65 Karma Seeker, a filly who broke her duck at Pornichet last month in a six-race career for Henri Devin. The three-year-old is an Oasis Dream daughter of the Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Miracle Seeker, already the dam of the capable Loaves And Fishes.

Much as was the case with the recent Tattersalls February Sale, there is enough variety to attract the spectrum of buyers, from breeders to those seeking a quick return of their outlay on the track.

Included in three horses formerly trained by Andre Fabre are Listed-placed Baltic Baron (33) whilst Katana One (5) has been running commendably over fences for David Cottin this winter. Fabre supplied last year’s top lot, the unbeaten Oasis Dream colt Learning To Fly, who was bought by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for €300,000.

Notable amongst the National Hunt prospects as the sale draws to a close on Wednesday is In Wood (308). Haras de l’Hotellerie’s offering is a yearling Authorized half-sister to 2014 Albert Bartlett scorer Very Wood.