Astute buy at Arqana Sale

The Arqana yearling sale reached a record average of €166,409 when the last of 305 lots paraded at Deauville on Tuesday.

Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) agent Louis Le Métayer bought a beautifully-bred Dutch Art filly from Haras du Mezeray with a bid of €170 000 (AUD 252,435). “She’s strong & athletic from a fast mare,” Le Métayer said. “She is to be trained by Henry Devin at Chantilly.”

Dutch Art (Medicean) retired to stand alongside his sire at Cheveley Park Stud after Group 1 victories in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket and Prix Morny at Deauville. He started stud life at a £5,000 fee and that had increased to £35,000 by 2014 after the arrival of Group 1 winners Garswood (Prix Maurice de Gheest) and Slade Power (Diamond Jubilee Stakes).

His Deauville filly’s first three dams are all black-type winners; Astrologie (LR Longchamp Prix de Thiberville), Quest For Ladies (LR Saratoga Statue of Liberty Stakes) and Savoureuse Lady (LR Prix Fille de l’Air).

Earlier on Tuesday, Astute Bloodstock buy Ventura Storm began his Melbourne Cup campaign with a strong trial win at Tatura. He defeated Lindsay Park stablemate Harlem (GB) by a half-length.

Le Métayer purchased the Irish-bred stayer on behalf of David Hayes and a syndicate that includes Scott Perrin, Rupert Legh, Robert Hill-Smith & John Valmorbida.

Ventura Storm (Zoffany) was trained by Richard Hannon to win the G1 Italian Derby, G3 Prix de Reux, LR Feilden Stakes and LR Glasgow Stakes. He was also runner-up in last year’s G1 English St Leger (2900m) just prior to his sale to Australia.

Reaching a Timeform rating of 119, he is currently quoted at $26 for the Melbourne Cup.

Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1988 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia. Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.

The list of FBAA members can be found at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au/our-members

DUTCH ART – ASTROLOGIE FILLY