Oasis Dream colt tops Arqana session

Oasis Dream (GB) has been a major presence at all the European Sales in 2010,

and the Juddmonte stallion was well represented again Tuesday when his colt from

Ecurie des Monceaux topped the second session of Arqana's October Yearling Sale

at €300,000.

Consigned as Hip No. 222, the May-foaled bay is out of the dual stakes-placed

Rose Melody (Galileo [Ire]), whose immediate family features Gold and Steel (Fr)

(Highest Honor [GB]), winner of three Grade 2 contests including the 1995

American Derby and third in the following year's Eddie Read H. (G1). His

half-brother by Smart Strike, now named Target Point, was bought for

€500,000 by John Ferguson at last year's

August Sale. It was Marc-Antoine Berghgracht's MAB Agency, who purchased the two

top-priced fillies on day one, who won the battle with Alex Cole to buy the colt

for Anthony Forde and Ahmed Mouknass.

With Angus Gold absent, Shadwell called on domestic trainers to do its

bidding and late in the session, Francois Rohaut outlasted the Qatar-based Alban

de Mieulle and agent Guy Armengol at €170,000

to sign for the day's top-priced filly on behalf of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al

Maktoum's operation. By American Post, Hip 258 is from the Haras de

Fresnay-le-Buffard consignment. She is a half-sister to the talented Cashelgar (Anabaa),

whose page is highlighted by the sire Kutub (In the Wings [GB]) and top-class

distaffer Shake the Yoke (GB) (Caerleon).

Now split into two sections, Part 1 of the October Yearling Sale was welcomed

as a success by Arqana's President Eric Hoyeau.

"I am very pleased that the change in format is already proving a successful

move," Hoyeau said. "Part 1 has seen a very deep market, as shown by the

excellent clearance rate and a very consistent catalog, a fact reflected in the

median being close to the average. Such a combination of factors has generated a

positive and dynamic atmosphere throughout the two afternoons. I am particularly

happy to see that vendors who have supported us in this move by offering good

individuals in October are being rewarded and I wish to thank them on behalf of

all at Arqana."

Selling continues Wednesday. Full results are available at arqana.com.