Top flat offerings at Arqana from Aga Khan stable

Arqana's Autumn Sale, which always has a marked National Hunt bias, proved a

mixed bag Monday, with a clearance rate of only 62 percent and a drop in the

median contrasting with a slight increase in average.

While the future of the majority of the top lots lies over fences and

hurdles, Hip No. 81, His Highness The Aga Khan's BIRZALI (Kalanisi [Ire]), is a

colt who still has potential on the flat. Out of the 2002 Prix de Pomone (Fr-G2)

winner Bernimixa (Linamix), the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained three-year-old had

won a conditions race at Saint-Cloud and finished third in the Grand Prix du

Nord since the publication of the catalog. He was purchased by Margaret O'Toole

for €100,000.

Another Aga Khan-consigned sophomore colt to make an impact was Hip 92, the

fellow de Royer-Dupre trainee SHALANGAR (Red Ransom). A winning half-brother to

last year's Prix de l'Opera (Fr-G1) heroine and recent E.P. Taylor S. (Can-G1)

third Shalanaya (Ire) (Lomitas [GB]), he was knocked down to the

California-based bloodstock agent Hubert Guy for €47,000.

Eoghan O'Neil's Hip 1, the juvenile ANGEL OF HARLEM (Holy Roman Emperor),

ended up being sold privately to Guy Petit for €50,000.

The filly was recently third in the Prix Miesque (Fr-G3).

Full results can be viewed at arqana.com.