Joseph O’Brien To Train 520k Arqana Top Lot Who Could Be A Triumph Hurdle Dark Horse

[Wandering Eyes]

Some of the earliest clues for next year's Triumph Hurdle may well have been on show at Arqana on Wednesday when the highly-touted Zekret (Fr) was purchased on behalf of a leading Irish owner to continue his career with Joseph O'Brien.

The Zarak colt boasted smart form in France for trainer Andre Fabre on behalf of Al Shaqab Racing and was last seen running respectably – only beaten a little over three lengths – in a Group 3 contest at ParisLongchamp over 1m3f. 

It was ace agent Alex Elliott, working alongside Nicolas Bertran de Balanda [NBB Racing], who purchased Wednesday's sale-topping colt. 

He said, “An obvious horse for us. A juvenile hurdle campaign will be his main aim but obviously he has a lofty Flat rating and he could come back and go over both codes. Initially, the main aim is jumping and he will go to Joseph O'Brien.”

Elliott added, “I suppose it's debatable about whether he will be gelded or not. Look at the Zarak horse, Nietzche Has, who won the Juvenile Finale Hurdle at Chepstow last year – he's a stallion now. So we will see how he takes to the job and whether we think gelding can improve him or not. But he looks like a horse who will handle soft ground. He will have a bit of a break now but hopefully he is an exciting juvenile hurdler going forward.

“Nicky [Bertran de Balanda] and I have a good record when we work together. We bought Teahupoo, A Plus Tard and a few more. Hopefully this guy can be another one to do us proud.”

Despite wildcard Juwelier (Wootton Bassett) being bought back at €1.1 million, it proved to be a lively day two session of the Summer Sale at Arqana with 19 horses selling for six figures or more. 

Interestingly, Highflyer Bloodstock and Paul Nicholls teamed up to spend €500,000 on two potentially smart jumps prospects – €300,000 purchase Gold Cast (Telecaster) and €200,000 buy Pourquoi Pas Papa (Manatee). 

Meanwhile, bloodstock agent Jason Kelly was one of the busiest buyers in town. As well as signing for two horses on behalf of Tony Elliott's Rogues Gallery for a combined sum of €162,000, Kelly landed the Listed-winning sprinter Toyotomi (Fr) (Blue Point) for €335,000. All told, Kelly spent €733,000 on seven lots. 

BBA Ireland's Mick Donohue was another familiar face to get in on the action. The Jerome Reynier-trained three-year-old filly Konada (Toronado), who boasts Listed form and an unexposed profile, was snapped up by O'Donohoe on behalf of Middle Eastern clients with lofty targets.

He explained, “She was one we targeted and we're delighted to get her. We bought her on behalf of an existing Middle Eastern client and, to be honest, when the catalogue for this sale came out, she was the one we wanted. She's a very consistent filly on the track and, when we saw her in the flesh, she matched up physically to what we wanted. She could be aimed at something on Saudi Cup night next year. A race like the Neom Turf Cup could be right up her street. Delighted to get her.”

Albeit the Wednesday session boasted a beefed up catalogue compared to 12 months previous [41 more horses sold], the overall figures were impressive. The €6,988,500 aggregate was up by 31% on last year while the €47,220 average represented a 11% rise and the median climbed €8,000 to €20,000. The clearance rate was also up by 8% to 82%.

The post Joseph O’Brien To Train 520k Arqana Top Lot Who Could Be A Triumph Hurdle Dark Horse  appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article