Coolmore Stud’s classic filly Wild Wind was sold to Brazilian interests for a session-topping 1.17 million euros on Day 1 of the Arqana December Sale.

Wild Wind (Danehill Dancer) won the LR Ruby Stakes at Killarney last year and she was also placed in Golden Lilac’s G1 rench 1000 Guineas.  The German bred mare was sold in foal to champion sire Galileo.

Agent Michael Youngs signed the sale sheet for Three Chimneys Farm on Saturday.  Brazil’s Torrealba family recently bought a half-share in the Kentucky farm and they also splashed out $4.50 million for Pure Clan (Pure Prize) to top Day 2 of last month’s Keeneland November Sale.

“The aim is to build up a strong broodmare band with the best European pedigrees and breed them to American stallions,” said Youngs.  “She will probably stay in Europe to foal and be covered again before heading to America.”

Spin (Galileo) was also popular making 850,000 euros to Nicolas de Watrigant earlier on in the day.  A G3 runner-up at Naas, she was offered in foal to Fastnet Rock.

Elletelle was the second mare offered in foal to Galileo and she eventually went the way of Adrian Nicoll’s BBA Ireland for 825,000 euros on behalf of an Australian client.  The Elnadim mare had won the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2007.

“I went to see her yearling and foal this week and they are both cracking sorts,” said Nicoll.  “We will try and get her into Frankel or she will go back to Galileo.”

Turnover on the first of four sessions at the Arqana Sale was up 16% to 13.81 million euros despite 23 less horses being catalogued than last year.  The average jumped 25% to reach a new record high of 91,681 euros and the clearance rate was 82%.

Currency converter:  1,000 Euros = AUD 1,232