Petit snaps up Martaline share at Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale

A share in leading National Hunt sire Martaline was an early highlight on the final day of Arqana's Breeding Stock Sale when selling to Guy Petit for €40,000.

"It's been bought for a new French client who is investing in top mares and wanted to have a share in a good stallion," the agent explained, having seen off a number of other breeders.

Standing at Haras de Montaigu for a fee of €15,000 next season, Martaline currently lies third in the French National Hunt Sires' Table, and has established himself as a producer of top class jumpers not just domestically but also in England and Ireland since his first foals in 2005.

The son of Linamix's leading earners include dual Grade 1-winning chaser Dynaste, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle victor Very Wood, and top French mare Kotkikova among others.

Victorious in 11 of her 14 starts over jumps in France including the Group 1 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure, Kotkikova was purchased by JP McManus over the summer.

Although yet to make her English debut for Nicky Henderson, she currently holds an entry in the JLT Long Walk Hurdle as well as options at Leopardstown's Christmas Meeting.

A Group 2 winner and a brother to Reefscape from a top Juddmonte family, the 17-year-old Martaline has also produced dual Group 3 winning mare Akarlina on the flat.

Last year, another share in the 17-year-old was sold on Arqana online for €50,000.