Arc Day updates: Boussac favorite Toulifaut sells for record €1.9 million

My colleague Vance Hanson and I will be posting betting-related blogs later tonight, but in the interim, here’s the latest news of interest on the evening before the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Undefeated Toulifaut, the early favorite for Sunday’s Prix Marcel Boussac (G1), commanded an Arqana Arc Sale record price of €1.9 million from Emmanuel de Seroux of Narvick International.

“I have bought her for Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm,” de Seroux said.

“She has everything you could ask for as a breeder: an unbeaten record as a juvenile and a pedigree page to die for. I am not sure what her immediate future is, this is something I need to discuss with Mr. Yoshida, but she should run tomorrow.”

As discussed in the Boussac preview, the daughter of Frankel has long-term appeal. However her career unfolds, she’ll ultimately retire as a coveted broodmare.

In other Arqana news, the Aga Khan’s Vedevani was withdrawn from the sale and cast in the role of Harzand’s presumptive pacemaker for the Arc. Between his pedigree, profile, and Arqana entry, I hadn’t envisioned him as a rabbit. Then again, pacemaking is a relative function.

Harzand received a more tangible boost in the form of rain that pelted Chantilly following Saturday’s racing.

I’d seen reports from some jockeys describing the ground as a touch softer than the official “good” even before the rain arrived, so the dual Derby hero may get his perfect conditions after all. He doesn’t need it to be truly soft, but trainer Dermot Weld was hoping it wouldn’t be too quick. No worries on that score now.

The Saturday card advertised the form of a couple of Arc combatants, although it might not be wise to read too much into the results. At least the theoretical negatives were averted as their form was upheld.

Doha Dream, who was third to Makahiki in a three-way finish to the Prix Niel (G2), had to fight to fend off Moonshiner in the Prix de Chaudenay (G2). Considering he was trying about 1 7/8 miles for the first time, against a Group 3 winner at the distance whose form tied in with the St Leger (G1), it was adequate. And at any rate, Makahiki was semi-fit for his warm-up, and the bare margin is meaningless.

The Juliet Rose, who was third to Left Hand in the Prix Vermeille (G1), wired the Prix de Royallieu (G2) and beat the smart older filly Almela representing Harzand’s connections. Again, the result isn’t necessarily informative for Left Hand’s Arc chances, but it was orderly.

Photo courtesy of Arqana via Twitter