The second session of the October Yearling Sale, featuring the first half of the catalogue’s Part II, brought further evidence of the growing quality and international appeal of French stock, with the aggregate rising 10% to reach €3,161,500 and the average progressing almost to the same extent to €35,128.
Just two lots from the close of proceedings, Roger Marley shelled out €140,000 for a Siyouni colt offered by Haras du Quesnay (lot 342), outbidding Paul Basquin to top the session. The colt is a half-brother to the Listed-placed juvenile SEA TRIAL, with other luminaries on the page including SILVA, SILVERMINE and SILVER POND. 
“She will hopefully come back here in May next year”, said an elated Marley after signing the docket on behalf of Margaret O’Toole. “For me he was the nicest horse in the sale and by a sire I really like”.
Evasive filly breaks 6 figure barrier
A filly by Evasive (lot 321) from the draft of Haras des Capucines was the first to break the six-figure mark as evening fell upon Deauville. Lyon-based trainer Marc Pimbonnet had the final word at €115,000 on behalf of up-and-coming owner Fabrice Petit, adding to their four purchases on the opening day. Their shopping list as day 2 drew to a close included six horses for a cumulated €656,000.
Bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois, the filly is a half-sister to this year’s L. Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles runner-up RED LINE, from the distant family of LOVE DE VEGA and LADY FRANKEL.
“This is a lovely Dubois family”, commented Pimbonnet, “and my client fell in love with the filly when he saw her this morning. He told me: "Should I go crazy on one today, it will be this one"! There is a lot of precocity on both sides of the pedigree and I am looking forward to training her”.
Vidal starts day 2 with a bang
Sylvain Vidal, who manages Gérard Augustin-Normand's stud farm and bloodstock interests, took no time to celebrate the victory of two-year-old colt CRISTOT in the second race at Deauville racecourse as he was already busy building up the stable's next generation. Trade hadn't been underway for a quarter of an hour when he signed the docket at €75,000 for a filly by Le Havre (lot 230) from the draft of Coulonces Sales. She is out of the winning Dansili mare Influence, herself a daughter of the French champion juvenile Moiava.
Just minutes later, the man at the helm of Haras de Montfort et Préaux was back with the €90,000 purchase of another resident stallion in Rajsaman, offered by La Motteraye Consignment. The colt in question (lot 235) shares his grandam with dual Classic heroine AVENIR CERTAIN and traces back to the family of leading juvenile MEHMAS.
Both yearling were bred by Elisabeth Vidal in partnership with Augustin-Normand's Franklin Finance and Vidal commented: “The Le Havre filly is athletic with good limbs and bred on a cross I like. She looks more like a three-year-old. The colt is obviously by the same sire as our dual Classic winner Brametot and from a great family. Both were born and raised at home and will run for a partnership.”
Charm Spirit to the fore with €82,000 filly
A first crop daughter of the Aga Khan Studs' Charm Spirit (lot 297) caught the eye of Chantilly-based trainer Yohann Gourraud who offered €82,000 to seal the deal. The filly is the second foal out of a full sister to Gr.2 Railway Stakes scorer PROBABLY.
“She is a very sound filly with a good walk and good hind quarters,” commented Gourraud. “The family has produced some good milers. She is for a new syndicate comprising several of my clients.”
Farrington falls for Le Havre
The appetite for French-based stallions continues to expand well beyond the domestic borders and Dermot Farrington joined their list of admirers when securing a colt by Le Havre from Elevage de Tourgeville (lot 339) for €80,000. Amy Austen signed the docket for the half-brother to the Listed performer DUKE OF DUNDEE, who will go into training with Farrington’s father-in-law Martyn Meade for a yet undecided owner.
Etreham and Astute team up on €77K Wootton Bassett filly
Offered by Haras de la Louvière, a Wootton Bassett half-sister to Group 3 performer MC QUEEN (lot 284) went the way of a pair of Nicolas - Lefèvre of Astute Bloodstock and de Chambure of Haras d'Etreham - who offered €77,000 to outbid trainer Philippe Decouz. The filly is descended from the family of Group winners NAHOODH and NOT JUST SWING.
“We had a real crush on her,” said Lefevre. “She is a top filly, very athletic and who looks precocious. I have bought her for a syndicate of friends that will include Haras d'Etreham. She will be trained in Chantilly but we haven't decided on a name yet.”
Young trainer Fey stocks up with €75,000 Oasis Dream colt
German-born Carina Fey was forced to relinquish a career in the saddle following a severe accident in 2011 and two year ago she put the bad memories firmly behind her when deciding to start up as a trainer in Chantilly. From a small string, the 29-year-old has quickly made her mark under both codes. An early highlight was HELLO MY LOVE's second place in the Gr.2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein while three weeks ago, Eckhard Sauren's IZZO won the Gr.3 Prix de Maisons-Laffitte at Auteuil.
The winning owner-trainer partnership will be renewed around a well-bred son of Oasis Dream (lot 265) for which Fey paid €75,000. Offered by Coulonces Sales, he is the second foal out of the winning mare LOUVE NATIONALE, who is herself a half-sister to no less than six black type performers headed by Gr.2 scorer and sire LOUP BRETON.
“I hadn't yet spent that much on a yearling,” Fey exclaimed. “This colt has great charisma, walks well and obviously hails from a wonderful family. For me he really had everything.”