Group Winning Starspangledbanner Filly Brings €750,000

Hopes of Breeders’ Cup glory saw Nicolas de Watrigant stretch to €750,000 for Group winner Laulne (2f Starspangledbanner - Lady Francesca, by Montjeu) at Saturday’s Arqana Arq Sale.

After revealing his purchase was made on behalf of Madaket Stables and partners, De Watrigant explained, “The plan with her is to go straight to America. She’s a very consistent filly, with six starts this year, and has shown a lot of toughness. She seems to be the ideal type for the Breeders’ Cup; she's got a tremendous turn of foot, she has plenty of ability and a great temperament.

Gerard Augustin-Normand’s homebred completed a hat-trick of wins in the Group 3 Prix Six Perfections in July and went on to take third in the Group 2 Prix du Calvados, before being narrowly denied in the Group 3 Prix Eclipse. Trained by Yann Barberot, the daughter of Starspangledbanner is the best performer to date out of the black-type Montjeu mare Lady Francesca.