U S Navy Flag Makes Impressive Start At Arqana

Champion two-year-old U S Navy Flag provided the highest price for a first crop sire on the opening day of the Arqana August Sale when the very first lot through the ring sold for €200,000.

Blandford Bloodstock signed for the bay filly offered by Haras de l’Hotellerie, who is the second foal out of dual Stakes winner Epsom Icon. U S Navy Flag has previously proven popular at Arqana, with Queen Iseult (Camelot) selling for €490,000 in foal to the beautifully-bred son of War Front

Saturday’s price is a good sign of things to come, with U S Navy Flag having three more yearlings catalogued at the sale. Elevage de Tourgeville offer another bay filly (Lot 288), who hails from the family of Sky Mesa, while Haras de Saint Pair consign a filly out of a Montjeu sister to Group 1 performer Ampere (Galileo). HSV Agency complete the trio with Lot 325, a granddaughter of Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Alpine Rose.

The Arqana catalogue is representative of the quality first book of mares covered by U S Navy Flag, who appeals on both pedigree and race record. Out of four-time Group 1 winner Misty For Me (Galileo), he is a full-brother to three-time Group 1 winner Roly Poly. He himself became the first Middle Park Stakes winner to follow up in the Dewhurst since Diesis in 1982, which earned him the title of European Champion Two-Year-Old.

U S Navy Flag went on to finish second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and landed the Group 1 July Cup; the latter crowing him champion three-year-old sprinter.