Shamardal on top at Arqana

€720,000 colt leads the opening session in Deauville, first Helmet yearling sells for 12 times his fee

The European yearling sales season started in successful style for the Darley stallions at Arqana on 15 August, with a colt by Shamardal topping the session when selling for €720,000.

Consigned by Ballylinch Stud, he is out of the Hurricane Run mare Lavande Violet, who is a half-sister to Shamardal’s multiple Classic winner Lope de Vega.

Earlier in the day, Haras d’Etreham’s Shamardal filly out of Galipette (a half-sister to Showcasing) was bought by Cheveley Park Stud for €260,000.

There was also success for Exceed And Excel, whose daughters out of Chanterelle and Ela Athena sold for €250,000 and €240,000 respectively.

The first northern hemisphere yearling by Exceed And Excel’s outstanding son Helmet went through the ring on Saturday and certainly didn’t disappoint as the filly (pictured) out of Almogia (herself a daughter of Falmouth Stakes winner Ronda) went to Guy Hubert for €120,000 -12 times Helmet’s stud fee. She was consigned by Coulonces.

The sale continues today.