Arqana continue overseas sponsorship at Naas
Naas Racecourse welcome leading French sales company Arqana back to sponsor the listed Irish EBF Marwell Stakes on July 21st.
The announcement comes ahead of the Arqana Breeze Up sale which was relocated from Deauville to Doncaster due to Covid 19 restrictions. Consistently supported by Irish vendors and pinhookers, the sale is recognized as the best two year old sale in Europe. Aside from relocating the sale, it will also take place at a later date of May 26th – 28th.
“We voluntarily pushed back the sale to ensure the track could recover from the Breeze Up’s in April. One of our main objectives is to provide a beautiful and safe track for horses and consigners.” Said Freddy Powell, Executive Director of Arqana.
The catalogue has attracted more than 140 two year olds by progeny of Dark Angel, Dubawi, Mehmas, No Nay Never, Siyouni, War Front to name a few and first season on form sires such as Caravaggio and Churchill.
Last year the inaugural listed Arqana Marwell Stakes took place at a later date than originally scheduled of August 2nd. This year the renewal will take place on Wednesday July 21st.
The star of the show last year was the Ken Condon trained Miss Amulet, bred by Derek and Gay Veitch of Ringfort Stud. Following on from the Arqana Marwell Stakes the filly went on to Group 1 success and placed 3rd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf behind Mother Earth, who had her winning debut at Naas last year in the Coolmore Fillies Sprint Stakes. The Zoffany filly gained another Group victory winning the 1,000 Qipco Guineas last weekend at Newmarket.
Sold for just £7,500 in 2019 to BBA Ireland, Miss Amulet has since clocked up over €200,000 in prize money. The Sir Prancelot filly holds an entry in the 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh this weekend and the Commonwealth Cup or Coronation Cup at Royal Ascot is a target in June.
Freddy Powell commented: "We are delighted to renew our partnership with Naas Racecourse, which provides a great opportunity to showcase ARQANA in Ireland. The country has a very important place in the industry, both for breeding and racing, and it is a way for us to thank the Irish buyers and vendors who put their confidence in us throughout the year by being present at the Deauville sales. Many pinhookers will offer two-year-olds at the Breeze Up next week, several of whom invested in them as yearlings at ARQANA. Naas Racecourse hosts some great meetings thanks to the organisation of its enthusiastic and dynamic team, who are a pleasure to work with. We hope to be able to make the trip this year on 21 July and that the winner of this year’s edition of the Marwell Stakes will follow in the footsteps of the excellent Miss Amulet!"
Eamonn McEvoy General Manager of Naas Racecourse commented: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with ARQANA, a sales company that continue to go from strength to strength judged on the calibre of graduates coming from their sales. ARQANA is a globally recognized power house, a brand Naas Racecourse are very proud to partner with. The team at ARQANA are wonderful to work with and we thank them for their continued support. We are looking forward to this year’s renewal and hopefully see another star emerge from the race.”
To view the Arqana Breeze Up catalogue visit www.arqana.com. The Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes will be one of 7 races to take place at Naas Racecourse on July 21st (evening meeting) the card also feature the listed Yeomanstown Stud Stakes.
