Arqana may have a stronghold on the French sales circuit but the relative newcomer Osarus is slowly increasing the size of its main yearling sale, and this year offers 144 horses for auction at Hippodrome du Bequet in La Teste de Buch on September 15.

The fourth renewal of the sale in Bordeaux offers an extra incentive to potential buyers in the form of an enhanced bonus for the first two winning graduates. Co-financed by the south-west owners’ and breeders’ syndicates, the bonus has been increased to €16,000, from €6,000 on offer last year. The owner of the first winning two-year-old will receive €10,000 and the second winner can claim €6,000.

Like Arqana, the sales site has undergone improvements this year, with new stables, parade ring and veterinary facilities.

Among the yearlings catalogued, all of which are eligible for French owners’ premiums, are a half-sister to the Deutsches St Leger winner Royal Fantasy, by the French-based Sunday Silence stallion Great Journey, and a first-crop daughter of Literato from the family of the Aga Khan’s Irish Oaks heroine Shawanda.

The sale also includes two yearlings by King’s Best, sire of last year’s Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce, plus three each by the established French sires Muhtathir and Gold Away.

The catalogue can be downloaded in English from www.osarus.com.