Ace Stud Lands Arc Entrant Bright Light to Top Arc Sale

Ace Stud came to the fore at the Arqana Arc Sale Oct. 3 when swooping for the two top lots, Bright Light (FR) and Space Waltz, at €1.9 million (US$2,147,000, €1=US$1.13) and €1.15 million apiece. Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) contender Bright Light lived up to his name as the star attraction ahead of his date with destiny Oct. 4 at ParisLongchamp Racecourse. The son of City Light (FR) may be one of the outsiders for the showpiece race, but he has consistent form to his name this year. Trained by Andreas Suborics, the 3-year-old has achieved group 1 placings on his last two starts in Germany, first when a neck second to Tiffany (IRE) in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (G1) and then when third to Saddadd (IRE) in the Grosser Preis von Baden (G1) last month. Space Waltz, fresh from running a valiant second in the Prix Chaudenay (G1) at ParisLongchamp earlier in the afternoon, was another to head to the burgeoning operation. The Niarchos homebred has worn the famous silks to victory in this year's Prix du Lys (G3) and followed up with some highly creditable performances, including Saturday itself. Trained by Andre and Lavinia Fabre, the colt's form ties in closely with some leading performers this year, not least leading Arc contender Maltese Cross (FR). A Kentucky-bred son of American Pharoah and group-winning Deep Impact mare Harajuku (IRE), the 3-year-old's page includes world champion and leading young sire Ghaiyyath (IRE), as well as his classic-winning dam Nightime. The beautifully bred Proof (FR) came into the sale with a stakes-winning update and the Dubawi (IRE) colt duly shone when selling to Manresa Agency for €720,000. He is set to take up stud duties at Haras de Cercy for 2027. A homebred for the Wertheimer brothers out of Mathematicienne, a Galileo mare from the family of Arc winner Solemia, the colt has the talent to go with his pedigree. He placed in all four starts last year for Christopher Head, the highlight coming when third to Pierre Bonnard (IRE) in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) last October. His first run this year saw him get off the mark in the listed Prix Pelleas at Compiegne in July, while he was far from disgraced when third in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano (G2) the following month at Deauville Racecourse. Sale Statistics Of the 40 lots offered in Saturdays' Arc sale, 29 (73%) sold for a total of €11,732,000 (US$13,257,160), the highest gross for the sale since it's inception. The average was €404,552 (US$457,144) with a median of €300,000 (US$339,000).