A brother to Dunaden was one of the stars of the Arqana yearling sale in Deauville this week.

Haras des Loges offered the Nicobar – La Marlia colt and he was knocked down to David Redvers, acting on behalf Pearl Bloodstock’s Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, for 130,000 euros.

A winner of the 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup, Dunaden is an Arqana graduate and runs in the colours of Pearl Bloodstock.

The Arqana Sale finished on Wednesday and Galileo dominated the three-day auction with top price of 210,000 euros being paid for his colt from En Public (Rainbow Quest).  The mare has already foaled Kreem (G3 Prix de Condé) and the Listed winners Rostrum, Sardaukar and Kindjhal.

Kindjhal (Ashkalani) won a Listed event at Longchamp and was sent to Australia to win at Moonee Valley for David Hayes before finishing runner-up to Demerger in the 2006 G3 Queen’s Plate at Flemington.

Galileo also provided the second yearling on the leader-board with a 200,000 euros filly purchased by Redvers on behalf of Qatar Racing.  She is a half-sister to G2 Prix Greffulhe placed Eldandy as well as Listed winner Kirkinola.

Vinery sire Myboycharlie proved to be popular with buyers.  He had 8 yearlings sell and the depth in his stock was evidenced by a median of 57,000 euros.  Top of the range was a 65,000 euros colt from Phone The Diva (Phone Trick) who was a USA Listed winner of the Shakopee Stakes.

The Myboycharlie colt from Listed winner Lady Raj (El Prado) made 62,000 euros.  He was offered by Haras des Loges who had consigned Dunaden’s brother.  “He’s a real two year old type and looks very racy,” trainer Tom Dascombe said,  “I wanted to get a Myboycharlie and, if he’s good enough, we will come back to France with him.”

Arqana reported the overall average was up 15% to 31,685 euros while the median rose 20% to 24,000 euros.  The clearance rate was up four points to 73% and trainer Jean?Claude Rouget was the leading buyer with 18 lots for 738,000 euros.

Cash converter:  1,000 euros = AUD 1,257