by Karsten Bønsdorf, USTA Newsroom Senior Correspondent

A 2-year-old half-brother to Ready Cash, the leading sire in France, was the top price at a mixed sale in Cabourg, Normandy, Friday afternoon (June 22).

Arqana Trot photo

Grand Chelem was sold for $116,500 at the sale to a German buyer.

Grand Chelem, whose dam Kidea also foaled Ready Cash, was sold for $116,500 at the sale to a German buyer.

Grand Chelem is sired by Love You and already qualified in May. However, the first races for 2-year-olds in France are not held before August.

The sale was very positive, as the average price rose by 17 percent to $15,200 and more horses were sold this year compared to the sale last year.

The Vincennes track hosts one of the biggest days of racing Sunday (June 24). The main event is the under saddle race, Prix du Président de la République, with a total purse of $280,000.

However, the Prix Rene Balliere with a total purse of $233,000 will probably draw more attention, because French trotting star Bold Eagle will race for the first time since the Elitlopp in Stockholm. Bold Eagle, with Franck Nivard in the bike, has won this race the last two years and has a very big chance of winning it again. Not since the legendary French trotter Bellino II won the race in 1976 has a trotter won the Balliere three years in a row.

Nine races are carded Sunday at Vincennes with a total purse of $1.5 million.