Williams to train top lot but buyers thin on the ground at Auteuil

Arqana joined the rush for boutique jumping sales at the biggest meetings last May and celebrated qualified success for the first Grand Steeple-Chase Sale.

But the buyers were slow to emerge for this second edition - coming just days after Gigginstown had announced the cessation of their role in the jumps market - with just four of the 13 lots changing hands.

There was plenty of interest around Fighter Allen, a Vision D'Etat half-brother to Champion Bumper hero Envoi Allen.

But when the bidding stopped at €310,000, it was to buy back the winner of his sole start for Gabriel Leenders.

Venetia Williams will train the top-priced horse to change hands after agent Guy Petit struck at €180,000 for Fontaine Collonges.

The four-year-old daughter of Saddler Maker is out of a half-sister to Grand National hero Neptune Collonges and broke her maiden on the Flat at Le Lion-D'Angers nine days ago for Fabrice Foucher.

"She's a very attractive and well-bred filly," said Petit. "She didn't have much luck in her last race, but she won nonetheless. I followed her through her three-year-old career, and I think that she is improving with maturity."

All four lots sold will be heading for export, with the JP McManus team of Hubert Barbe and Charlie Swan going to €105,000 to secure Sainte Doctor, a three-year-old filly bred by the Cypres family and winner of her sole start over two miles earlier this month.

"She is a good looking filly by the right sire in Doctor Dino and out of a Poliglote mare," said Swan. "I liked the way that when she won, the first two quickened away well going to the line."

Davy Russell watches on as Charlie Swan secures another new recruit for JP McManus at the Arqana Grand Steeple-Chase Sale at AuteuilCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Fresh from a fifth triumph in the Grande Course de Haies, Willie Mullins will also be taking home a new recruit after Seamus Murphy, standing with Harold Kirk, gave the winning bid at €100,000 for the twice-placed Gamin Original from the Anne-Sophie Pacault yard.

Kirk was mining the seam that has already brought Mullins Grade 1 success with horses such as Vroum Vroum Mag, Voix Du Reve and Punchestown Gold Cup hero Kemboy.

"I loved the horse and he was one of my picks of the sale," said Kirk. "I've been very lucky with Voix Du Nord and he's by a son of his, Robin Du Nord. I'm taking a chance and I hope luck will strike."

€100,000 was also the price which secured Zambella, a three-time winning daughter of Zambezi Sun trained by Joel Boisnard, for Highflyer Bloodstock.

The first edition realised a 50 per cent clearance rate and Arqana's Eric Hoyeau did not sugar the pill after the sale was concluded.

Hoyeau said: "We haven't had a lot of time to reflect but whether the profile of horse here reflected what buyers were looking for, or whether the timing is less than ideal, coming after Punchestown and at the end of the season, I'm not sure."

Asked whether the absence of Gigginstown, who bought last season's top lot, was a factor, Hoyeau added: "To have one important player less is obviously something to take into account but it is hard to say that was key."

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