Zarak and Siyouni responsible for the top three lots at the October Yearling Sale. Zarak and Siyouni were the sires in demand on day one of the Arqana October Yearling Sale, which in the recent past was the source of Siyouni’s multiple Group 1 winning son Paddington.

Both sires shared top billing, with colts selling for €420,000 apiece.

Lot 101, from Fairway Consignment, was a half-brother to two Stakes winners, and hailed from the family of Group 1 winning brothers Hukum and Baaeed. He sold to Peter and Ross Doyle Bloodstock, and will target the top races in Scandinavia for his new owners.

Ross Doyle explained: “We were given the mandate to find a horse to win Classics in Scandinavia, in particular the Norwegian Derby, and so that’s the plan. He was on a very short list and was the one we wanted to get. He’s for Magne and Bente [Jordanger] of Stall Perlen and will go to trainer Wido Neuroth. He was a magnificent colt and every time we saw him he was very relaxed.”

Zarak had six yearlings sell on day one for an average of over €150,000 – more than 12 times their conception fee in 2021.

Meanwhile the connections of Paddington picked up lot 132 from Haras d’Etreham for €420,000, a colt out of Group performer Decorating bred on the same Siyouni x Galileo cross as Sottsass and St Mark’s Basilica.

Laurent Benoit of Broadhurst Agency, who signed for the colt with M V Magnier, said: “It’s the same price, same stallion and also the same underbidder as Paddington, and I think he will have the same trainer too. Let’s hope he’s as good as him!”

Earlier in the session, lot 47, a Siyouni colt out of Stakes winning mare Shamtee consigned by Haras du Mont dit Mont, went the way of Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin for €350,000. The family is that of top Godolphin performers Territories, Street Cry and Shamardal. The agent said: “He’s a very nice colt by Siyouni, out of a mare by Shamardal, and the cross has already been successful. He will be trained by André Fabre.”