October 3, 2013, Saint Cloud, France ~PURE BRED ARABIAN SALE The Purebred Arabian Sale is the first rendezvous of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, which is the stage for the most prestigious races dedicated to both thoroughbred and pure bred Arabians. The 2013 edition of the sale posted a turnover of €1,535,000 (including private sales) a median sale price of €16,000, an average sale price of €22,574 and a top price of €240,000, the highest posted since 2009.
From very early on in the sale, everyone’s attention was turned to NO PROBLEM AL MAURY (lot 4), a son of Dormane knocked down to Mandore International Agency, who was acting on behalf of Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani, for €240,000. In the care of Jean François Bernard, his race record this year includes a win in the Listed PA Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Cup run at Ostende, as well as a recent highflying victory in the Gr.1 PA Malazgirt Trophy run in Turkey.
A recent second in the Gr.2 PA Prix Chéri Bibi (7 September 2013 at Craon), the Philippe Sogorb trained SAINTLOUP (lot 5) caught the eye of Sheail Bin Khalifa Al Kuwari who bought him for €80,000. The latter also spent €70,000 on VETLANA DE FAUST (lot 15) and went to €34,000 in order to acquire MEQDAM (lot 44). Put in training with Thierry Lemer, Vetlana de Faust has this year finished second in the Gr.2 PA Prix Nefta run on 13 May at Bordeaux racecourse; the second named was for her part consigned by Haras du Saubouas and in foal for the first time to Asraa Min Albarq. From a family rich in black type, she is a daughter of the matriarch Dixie Darlene and a Burning Sand half sister to Dixies Delight, who won five Group 1 PAs, to Dixies Valentine who won three Group 1 PAs as well as to Grilla, winner of the Gr.1 President of UAE Cup.
The hammer was eventually knocked down four times in favour of Kees Mol, propelling him to third place on the buyers’ leaderboard. Two representatives of EARL Haras de Thouars thus found new homes for €50,000: SS MOTHILL (lot 87), is a son of Nizam from the family of Group 1 winner Bonuz, while MARISSA DU FALGAS (lot 91), is a Munjiz half sister to triple Group 1 PA winner and multiple Group PA placed Kandar du Falgas.
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