A first-crop son of Coolmore sire Dylan Thomas topped trade at 195,000 euros during the opening session of the Arqana October yearling sale on Monday.  

The Dylan Thomas colt is out of the unraced Galileo mare Gabere and was purchased by Earle Mack who is developing a French racing operation. He also bought the 300,000 euros Shirocco colt who topped Arqana’s 2YO Sale at Saint-Cloud in May.

Sheikh Hamdan has enjoyed a successful run with champion sire Oasis Dream and he maintained the link with a bid of 180,000 euros for an Oasis Dream – Cattiva Generosa colt on Monday.  The youngster was offered by Haras de Saint Pair and is from the Fontainebleau Listed winner Cattiva Generosa (Cadeaux Genereux).

The Shadwell Estates principal raced the Oasis Dream Group 1winners Aqlaam, Arcano and Naaqoos.  “He was an obvious choice,” Shadwell agent Angus Gold said.  “He is by a stallion we’ve had a bit of luck with, is out of a stakes-winning mare and is from an up-and-coming stud with lots of good broodmares.”

Shadwell was absent from the Arqana August yearling sale and the Doncaster Premier yearling sale.  After observing Ramadan, Sheikh Hamdan returned to top total expenditure at the Keeneland September yearling sale and Book 1 of the Tattersalls October yearling sale.

The other lots to make six-figures on Day 1 were an Anabaa half-sister to Listed performer Isarnixe for 130,000 euros and a Dubawi half-brother to Prix d’Ispahan winner Never On Sunday for 115,000 euros

The clearance rate was 76% of the 128 yearlings on offer and they averaged at 37,000 euros.  The Arqana October Sale runs over four sessions until Thursday.

1,000 euros = AUD 1,408