It is often said that if you don’t succeed at first, try, try again. That’s exactly what Yoshito Yahagi did at the Arqana August Sale on August 14, and as a result he can look forward to training. Siyouni full brother Sottsass who received a stop-show bid of €2,100,000 (US$2,153,508).
A little over 24 hours earlier, Yahagi fulfilled the role of the disappointed lower bidder when Shamardal colt out Lady Frankel earned 1.6 million euros (US$1,640,768) from Godolphin, but this time he is clearly determined not to leave empty-handed.
The auditorium was at full capacity as dairy heavyweights and a crowd of curious racers squeezed into the sales ring in Deauville to see the latest Ecurie des Monceaux production from the mare. green. Starlet’s sister .
In just a few turns of the sandy round of performances in front of the panel, the bid table went up to 650,000 euros and the 50,000 euro increase started to be thick and fast.
As the proceedings had gone deep into seven-figure territory, it was David Redvers, standing with Sheikh Fahad Al Thani in the dark on the top floor of the auditorium, who had managed to cling to the back of Yahagi’s car. But every time the Qatar Racing man raised his finger to raise 100,000 euros, the Japanese coach, sitting just a few rows below his opponent, immediately responded in kind.
After a €2.1 million bid drew a gasp from the crowd, Redvers shook his head visibly, and the hammer dropped.
Siyouni colt consigned as Hip 154 at Arqana August sale
“Of course his pedigree is amazing,” Yahagi said after signing the seven-figure notebook. “Sottsass won the Arc and My Sister Nat came in second to my horse (Loves Only You) in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). It’s a horse that moves well and I love it. I’ll take it to Japan and I hope he wins the Japan Derby.”
Of the prospect of the pony returning to France for the Arc, Yahagi said: “Of course! I hope so. It’s not my first time in Deauville but I love the town atmosphere and the activity. sales. It’s beautiful.”
Yahagi said he could not reveal who would own the pony but said it was a “new Japanese owner.”
The youngster is the eighth pony of Starlet’s Sister, who has quickly established himself as one of the best young producers around. Galileo’s daughter bred five winners from five runners, led by Sottsass, whose six wins include wins in the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club 2019 (G1) and 2020 Prix Ganay (G1) as well as his career-defining win in the 2020 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
Starlet’s Sister’s first pony is the American turf mare champion Sistercharlie , who won three races in France for Alex Pantall before she moved to Chad Brown and won seven notable 1st grade points, including the Mark Breeders ‘2018 Filly & Mare Turf Breeders Cup (G1T) ). Starlet’s Sister also bred My sister Nat a group of three people/class 3 winner who also placed in 3rd class,
