Dante Nonantais Tops Arqana's February Mixed Sale

There was a distinct antipodean feel to the second and final session Feb. 18 of the Arqana February Mixed Sale, with the top seller, Dante Nonantais (Lot 355), set to continue his career in Australia after going the way of Narvick, Terry Henderson's OTI, and Melbourne Cup (G1)-winning trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy at €180,000 (US$212,157, €1=US$1.18). The winning bid was placed by Thibault de Seyssel, and he said: "He made a very good debut the other day, with excellent times. He's a good-looking horse who I think will do very well in Australia. "I was on the phone with Terry Henderson all day—he was very enthusiastic about buying him. We're delighted to have secured him. He's heading straight to Australia. "I think he'll really improve with time and develop into a very good horse. I bought him together with Emmanuel de Seroux, whom I work with a bit." The 3-year-old son of Hunter's Light (IRE) was a good return on investment for trainer Florian Bellemere, who purchased him for only €5,500 last September. Recollect (IRE) will also head to Australia after Royal Ascot-winning trainer Henry Dwyer teamed up with Amy Murphy to purchase him for €120,000. Offered by his now former trainer Gavin Hernon, the son of Recoletos (FR) got off the mark at the second time of asking when landing a mile contest at Chantilly this month. Murphy said: "Henry and I had a very successful partnership this summer with Asfoora (stabled with her during her European campaign). He really caught Henry's eye. "He came highly recommended to us by Gavin Hernon, who is a good friend. In Australia, we hope he'll develop into a good staying type. Gavin believes he'll be perfectly suited to that country." The 3-year-old hails from one of the Aga Khan's best families, being out of the group 3-placed mare Haziyna, a daughter of 2005 Athasi Stakes (G3) winner Hazariya, the dam of 2016 Epsom Derby (G1) winner Harzand (IRE), who is now plying his trade as a National Hunt stallion. The mare also produced Harasiya, winner of the 2012 Silver Flash Stakes (G3), and stakes-winning duo Hazarafa and Haripour. At the close of trade, Arqana reported that 240 lots had changed hands at a clearance rate of 70%. The gross finished at €3,299,750 (US$3,889,250), while the average weighed in at €13,710 (US$16,159), and the median sat at €5,500 (US$6,483). Last year's corresponding sale was held over one day. The Wild Grazer Headed to Whistlejacket 2024 Prix Morny (G1) winner Whistlejacket (IRE) will begin covering his first mares at Haras de Grandcamp this season, and United States grade 3 placegetter The Wild Grazer (IRE) will feature among his debut book after she sold for €85,000. Jean-Daniel Manceau, who signed the ticket alongside Jean-Philippe Dubois, said: "This is a mare we've bought to support Whistlejacket. She was a top-class race filly in the United States, a winner at 2. "She was the right type of mare to cross with Whistlejacket and give him every chance to succeed at stud. I watched all of her races in the U.S.; she had a really good turn of foot and was a very tough little mare." As well as winning as a juvenile, the daughter of Gustav Klimt (IRE) finished third in the Senorita Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park in 2023, before just missing the podium when fourth in the San Clemente Stakes (G2T) on her next start. She was then picked up by Pasadena Farm for US$20,000 at the 2025 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The Wild Grazer's dam is a sister to the talented 2-year-old Plainchant (FR), winner of the 2020 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2) and Prix Eclipse (G3), and is from the family of 2019 San Marcos Stakes (G2T) winner Platinum Warrior (IRE). "I believe she's the 17th mare we've bought to support Whistlejacket this winter," Manceau said. "We're continuing with that approach." Manceau was active again when he paid €50,000 for Silimeri, a Dansili half sister to group 1 scorer Silasol, who is already the dam of group-placed winner Inside Matters.