After two days of selling at Arqana sales at Deauville, Darley's first-season stallions New Approach (pictured) and Raven's Pass head their peers by the average price of all yearlings sold.
Heading the list with an average of €233,000 for three lots sold is the 2008 Derby winner New Approach. His best figure came at lot 211 when his daughter out of Bal De La Rose (a half-sister to Shamardal's dual French classic winner Lope De Vega) was knocked down for €280,000 to Merdian International. Slightly earlier in the day at Lot 193 was a colt out of the G3w Zelding, who has already produced the Stakes scorers Beauty Is Truth and Glorious Sight, which was sold to Robert Collet for €260,000.
Raven's Pass in next best amongst all first-crop sires with an average of €175,000. His highlight came on day one when Blandford Bloodstock bought the filly out of Lady Elgar for €300,000, who is a half-sister to multiple G1-winner Grand Couturier.
Successes at Deauville for Darley stallions were not just consigned to first-crop stallions. Manduro, who recently celebrated his first victory through the impressive French scorer Salez, had one lot through the ring, a filly out of Ventura, and was sold for €400,000. Both Shamardal's to go through the ring so far were both sold, for €240,000 and €210,000 respectively, while Teofilo had three sell for €100,000 or more with a highest price of €240,000.
