On the day Haras de Beaumont launched the stallion career of 2023 Prix du Jockey Club (G1) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) hero Ace Impact , stud principals Pauline Chehboub and Mathieu Vincent were kept busy down the road at Arqana’s Deauville sales complex, acquiring a couple of well-bred mares destined for a rendezvous with their champion.
Chehboub had positive news to pass on after Ace Impact covered his first mare the morning of Feb. 14, having signed at €62,000 (US$66,612, €1=US$1.0743) for Damkena (Lot 266).
She is a Kendargent full sister to both the useful Kenfreeze and Kendam , who not only compiled a fine race career which included finishing third in the 2012 Prix de la Foret (G1) but is also the dam of the smart Kenway . Damkena was consigned by Haras de Grandcamp and is in foal to Galiway , the sire of Kenway.
“She’s from a super family and she’s a fine mare who’ll go to Ace Impact,” said Chehboub. “It’s a plus that she’s in foal to Galiway and I think that, given her profile, €62,000 is a reasonable price to pay.”
Ace Impact has started out at a record first-season fee in France of €40,000, having swept all before him in Europe last season.
The Beaumont team were not conspicuous in purchasing a lot of stock on Ace Impact’s behalf at the breeding sales late last year, but will certainly support him with their best mares, as well as relying on his obvious appeal to major breeders who followed his exploits when trained by Jean-Claude Rouget.
“We haven’t gone out to buy a load of mares to visit him, but we continue to be on the lookout for the right ones if they come up,” said Chehboub. “The breeding season is now underway, and he covered his first mare this morning, which was (Prix Imprudence, G3, winner) Showay .
“Everyone is very happy with how he goes about his work, and the fact he’s attracted a very good book for his first season is not all that surprising.”
Lack of Fireworks at the Top End Dents Final Figures
Three lots broke the six-figure barrier on this day last year, with BBA Ireland giving a combined €515,000 for the top two mares to pass through the ring.
The lack of similar box office attractions led to depressed year-on-year figures, though the median of €4,000 ($4,297), when compared to €5,500 12 months ago, speaks of broadly similar trade below the very top level.
Indeed, the clearance rate for Wednesday actually ticked up a point at 81%, with 130 of 161 horses changing hands for a total of €1,155,500 ($1,241,458), a decline of 40% on last year’s €1,943,000.
Across the two days, there was total trade of €2,853,000 ($3,065,235)—down 24% on 2023—with a 78% clearance rate for 309 horses to pass through the ring. The average of €11,772 ($12,647) was down 23% year-on-year, while the median dipped to €5,000 ($5,371) from €6,500.
