Maolie, a two-year-old filly from the Mandore Stud Farm in south-west France, fetched the highest bid of 260,000 euros at the Arabian Purebred Auction, organised by Arqana and Association Francaise du Arabe de Course (AFAC) at the Saint Cloud racecourse here yesterday.
The progeny of Mahabb and Mendra was bought by the UAE-based Emirates Blood Stock, who were the biggest spenders of the annual auction with as many as six buys for a total cost of 838,000 euros.
Stelah, also from the same French stable, fetched the next-best price of 200,000 euros. Qatar’s Al Shahania Stud bought the filly, sired by Mahabb, and out of Frasouitha. The Qatari stud firm also bought Mizabelle (Munjiz-Djesabelle) for the fourth highest bid of the day at 170,000 euros for a total spend of 370,000 euros.
It was a ladies’ day out at the auction as the top six calls were all for fillies. While Herrmin (Munjiz-Djesabelle) and Saida De Monlau (Munjiz-Salalah De Monlau) both went for 180,000 euros, Munowra (Munjiz-Jade Des Pins) was sold for 150,000 euros, all three bought by Emirates Blood Stock, who were on a spending spree.
Al Shahania manager Alexandra Newman sounded happy with their two buys. “We are not just looking at them from the racing perspective, we are also looking at the breeding prospect in the future. Stelah is a beautiful horse, with a perfect pedigree, and physically very strong. We feel we have spent wisely and hope to have a good future with her,” Newman told Gulf Times.
She had similar words for their other buy. “Mizabelle too has amazing pedigree. Our aim today was not just to spend judiciously, but also look at how we can best exploit their potential in the future. I strongly believe we have achieved our purpose with these buys,” Newman added.  
Al Jeryan Stud were the only other Qatari firm to feature among the buyers. Dahab (Mahabb-Djesireh) cost them 50,000 euros and was the only one they successfully bid after being involved in the bidding of at least a dozen others.
“She’s young, looks racy and has a fantastic pedigree,” the Qatari stud farm’s young manager and trainer Mohannad al-Yaqout told Gulf Times. “We believe we went by good advice and think we have got a filly of her class for a really good price. She’s of top quality and we are confident she will prove to be a class part on the course in the days to come. We are also looking at a breeding future with her.”
The other big buyers of the day were the local Chantilly Bloodstock Agency who bought 10 horses, eight colts and two fillies, for a total spend of 464,000 euros.
Among the top stallions of the evening were Munjiz, who sired as many as 11 horses sold on the day for a total aggregate collection of 939,000 euros, followed by Mahabb, whose five progenies, including the top picks Maolie and Stelah, fetched 676,000 euros.
With as many as 75 horses sold out of 116 on offer yesterday, it’s the second highest turnaround for the Arqana Purebred Arabian action, after the 2007 record of 3,209,000 euros. With an aggregate of 3,158,000 euros, the sale did better than last year’s 2,457,000 euros.
The sale, which is held every year on the Thursday preceding the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, is the only auction in Europe entirely dedicated to Purebred Arabians and includes horses of all ages from the best French families.