V2 aggregate and clearance rate both soar

Dabirsim’s flying start at stud saw strong demand for his second crop of yearlings at Arqana’s V2 Sale on Tuesday, securing two of the top five prices on the day. But top billing went to a Siyouni colt, who raised €110,000.

Overall figures maintained the trends of the rather more glamorous catalogue over the preceding three days, with an improved clearance rate keeping year-on-year averages and medians broadly static despite an aggregate that climbed significantly - by 22 per cent, in fact - to €4,221,500 from €3,437,000. Of 130 lots offered, 108 changed hands at 83.08 per cent - up from 87 sold from 118 offered in 2016 (73.73 per cent). That kept the average virtually unchanged at €39,088 (compared with €39,506) and the median down slightly to €30,000 from €32,000.

The top lot, consigned by Jedburgh Stud, is out of the Inchinor mare Secret Melody, herself a Group 3 winner and previously responsible for a dual scorer at that level in Pearl Flute. He was purchased by local trainer Stephane Wattel, who explained: “The sale was to dissolve a partnership. We bred the colt and his veterinary reports were impeccable. John Corbani has been lucky with Siyouni and was happy to buy out his partner.”

Three other lots made six figures, including the top Dabirsim of the catalogue: the second foal of a sister to Group 3 winner Hapsburg, the pair by Anabaa. The colt, consigned by Haras des Capucines, was acquired by Thomas Whitehead of Powerstown Stud and will be prepared for the breeze-ups.

“He’ll be back here in the spring,” Whitehead said. “Dabirsim has made a very promising start at stud and we’ve already had plenty of luck with him.”

Capucines also presented a half-sister to one of the leading French juveniles during the first half of the season, Zonza, who was fourth in the Prix Morny on Sunday. Paul Basquin of Haras du Saubouas signed the €100,000 docket for this filly by Makfi, saying: “She’s a racy filly who carries herself very nicely. The dam is obviously a useful producer and anything is possible with Makfi.”

The final lot to make that price was a Myboycharlie filly consigned by Charles Briere of Fairway, from the well known family of Colorspin and Cezanne. “The filly has everything going for,” enthused Marc-Antoine Berghgracht, as he added her to the expanding portfolio of Thierry Gillier. “We like the sire and she comes from a fine maternal line.”

The breeze-ups beckon for another yearling by Dabirsim after Con Marnane - who put the sire’s name in lights through his Albany Stakes winner Different League - paid Haras de Grandcamp €95,000 for the first foal of a four-time winner by Kodiac from a good Cheveley Park family. “She ticked all the boxes,” he said. “I’ll take her home to be adored for six months!”