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The first European yearlings by Redoute's Choice made a big impact on the opening two days of the Arqana August Sale, averaging almost $600,000 and including the 66th seven-figure yearling of his stellar sale-ring career.
Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock adviser John Ferguson bought three colts by the champion sire including the son of Group 1 winner Vadawina (by Unfuwain), offered by Haras d'Etreham and knocked down for €950,000 (~$1.4 million). That makes him the top-priced Redoute's Choice yearling sold worldwide in 2015.
Ferguson struck early on the first day, bidding €450,000 (~$670,000) for the colt from Copernica presented by Richard Powell's Haras du Lieu des Champs.
He said after that purchase, “Redoute’s Choice has been a superb stallion in Australia, and there’s no reason why he won’t repeat his success in the Northern Hemisphere.
“This is a Redoute’s Choice out of a Galileo mare going back to a great family, including High Chaparral, and he was a very athletic horse and we’re delighted to have him.”
That sale was a great result for Joe Foley of Ballyhane Stud who bought the colt as a foal for 175,000gns at Tattersalls December last year.
Foley said, "He was an outstanding foal with a stallion’s pedigree and I’m a great believer in Redoute’s Choice, as I stand his son Elzaam, whose first foals head to the sales later this year. Everybody had looked at him and Richard filled me with confidence that he would sell well. Best of luck to Godolphin.”
Haras des Capucines was the vendor of John Ferguson's third Redoute's Choice colt, out of Sandy Girl (by Footstepsinthesand), a winning half-sister to six-time Group 1 winner Stacelita. He was secured for €660,000 (~$990,000).
Asked to compare Redoute's Choice's European and Australian progeny, Ferguson said, “I’ve been looking at them in Australia for many years, so I’d say they’re fairly similar to those in Australia. There’s not a huge difference. Some horses with different mares can produce different types, but he’s such a pre-eminent and dominant stallion; Redoute’s Choices look like Redoute’s Choices.”
Ferguson's past Australian purchases by the great son of Danehill include Group 1 winner Master of Design and Group 1-placed stakeswinners Estee & Time Thief.
Other successful bidders included Jehan Malherbe's Form Bloodstock, which has already enjoyed success with Group 2-winning Redoute's Choice filly Honorine in South Africa, and UK trainer Roger Varian.
In all, nine of the first 11 Arqana yearlings by Redoute's Choice sold for an average of €386,000 (~$580,000), well above the to-date average of €245,791 (~$370,000) and placing him fourth on the Sale's leading sires list.
Georges Rimaud, Manager of the Aga Khan's French Studs, says, “At the time we brought Redoute’s Choice over from Arrowfield Stud there was concern that there weren’t enough good stallions in France. He was probably way above the standard of what people expected but they supported him and the rewards are coming now.”
Arrowfield's Bloodstock Manager Jon Freyer says, "We're delighted with these results and acknowledge the wonderful support Redoute's Choice has received in Europe from breeders, vendors & buyers. We're also very grateful to the Aga Khan, Georges Rimaud and the team at Haras de Bonneval for giving Redoute's Choice the best opportunity to make his mark in Europe."
Haras des Capucines & La Motteraye Consignment will present the final two Arqana yearlings by Redoute's Choice at the Sale's closing session which begins at 9.00 pm on Monday evening (AEST).
