€750,000 for American Pharoah Filly at Arqana

The first of only two yearlings by Triple Crown hero American Pharoah to go through a European sales ring this season (lot 34) fittingly went the way of Coolmore’s M.V. Magnier, who offered €750,000 to outbid Phoenix Bloodstock.

The athletic bay was the second highest priced yearling sold on day one and is a half-sister to the Group I Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille heroine Shareta from stakes-winner Shawara and was consigned by Haras d’Etreham.

“She is a beautiful individual out of a Group 1 producer and Bob Baffert has always said that American Pharoah could have been just as good on the grass,” expressed Magnier.

“My grandfather founded Ballydoyle on American dirt horses —that’s where Galileo comes from, that’s where Sadler’s Wells came from. It all goes back to the American Classic horse. And we strongly believe in American Pharoah. He really could be the next big thing. Be it him, or Justify, we think that a horse of that type can once again have a transforming impact on European bloodlines. So that’s what we want to do: to get the best American Pharoahs we can, put them in Ballydoyle, and try to make him a new Northern Dancer. Remember Scat Daddy was an all-American hero, too, and look what he has been able to do on turf in Europe. “

American Pharoah shuttles to Australia for his second season this year where his offspring will have ample opportunity to prove themselves on turf.