City Light Colt Tops Close of Strong Trade at Arqana

As the Arqana October Yearling Sale ended on a sedate note Oct. 23, a colt by Haras d'Etreham's City Light (FR) led the way when selling to agents Ruben Seror and Sebastien Desmontils for €77,000 (US$86,240, €1=US$1.12). Overall, trade over the four days had come to a total of €24,393,500 (US$27,320,720) by Friday evening, with 510 lots from 629 offered selling (81%). The average of €47,059 (US$52,706) was up 11% on last year and the median of €30,000 (US$33,600) was an impressive 30% improvement. Offered by Haras de Clairefontaine, the session topper is out of the winning Authorized mare My Lover, the dam of a winner and a half sister to dual listed scorer Bebe d'Amour (FR) and 2014 Prix de Diane (G1) runner-up Amour a Papa (FR). There were a number of British and Irish buyers present, including Oliver Cole. The Wantage trainer knows all about the progeny of Sottsass (FR), having trained Dr Rascal (GB) to land the Vintage Stakes (G2) this year, and the trainer went to €52,000 for a colt by the now Japan-based sire. Jamie Railton's The Grey Gatsby (IRE) filly was another highlight of the session when selling to Equos Racing and Henri Devin for €47,000. Another offering to sell for €47,000 was Hestia Farm's first-crop Ace Impact (IRE) filly, who was bought by Francois Monfort. Bred by Yeguada Centurion out of the Sea The Stars (IRE) mare Surimar, the bay hails from the family of 2025 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) runner-up Brussels (GB).