€1.7 million for Galileo filly

Galileo has been dominating the headlines this year with the racecourse exploits of his progeny but on Tuesday it was in the sale ring that he starred with a 1.7 million euros filly, who topped Arqana’s August Yearling Sale in Deauville. The filly, consigned by her breeder Haras de la Perelle, is the first foal of the Polish Precedent mare Sarafina, a half-sister to three-time G1 winner Sarafina. She is set to race in the colours of Australian-based Paul Fudge’s Waratah Thoroughbreds after his agent Michael Goodbody outbid Grant Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock, representing Paul Makin. “There is no doubt that she was the best-looking filly in the sale and, when you look to the top, you have to pay the price. She is absolutely gorgeous and is by the hottest sire from a top-class family,” Goodbody told TDN. “It is fantastic - I didn’t expect such a price,” said Jurgen Winter of Haras de la Perelle. “She looked good, but my reserve was around €500,000. Usually, I keep the fillies and sell the colts, but I felt that this was the right time to sell this one, and also we have the mare, who is very young. I bought her in a private deal with the Aga Khan before Sarafina came around.” Galileo’s progeny were in big demand and Goodbody, again buying for Waratah Thoroughbreds, bought a 500,000 euros colt by the champion sire out of the 2007 G1 Beverly D Stakes winner Royal Highness (by Monsun) offered by his breeder, Ecurie des Monceaux. “He has a stallion’s pedigree and is also a great-looking horse and a great mover” added Goodbody. “We will sit down and discuss everything after the sale, but they will both stay in France. We currently have horses in training with Andre Fabre and Carlos Laffon-Parias, but nothing has been decided yet.”