John Stewart is a man on a mission. On August 16, the US-based owner made his first splash on the European auction market as part of that mission, when he secured the top lot on the first day of the Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville with an online bid of €1.4 million (US$1,542,730, 1 euro = US$1.1020).

It is lot 105, the yearling Wootton Bassett Colt out of Dardiza, offered by Haras d’Etreham. The talented young stallion also caught the eye of Coolmore, whose dam Magnier took on the role of underbidder.

The colt is a full brother of Guild member Winner of the Franklin-Simpson Stakes (G3T) 2020 at Kentucky Downs after moving to the USA after a youth season with Archie Watson in which he finished third Arizona in the Coventry Stakes (G2) 2019. The lineage is very strong as the mare is a sister to the mothers of six Black Type horses, especially the champion and sire Almanzor .

Stewart was not present in Deauville, but his representative Gavin O’Connor explained the attractiveness of the new recruit.

He said: “For a January foal he’s a good horse. He’s obviously a full brother to Guildsman and his sire Street Cry has a lot of quality in him. In the lineage it’s Machiavellian through Halling so that’s a fabulous foundation. Under the second dam there’s Almanzor, Darzan, Dabawa, lots of good, solid horses who have come up in numbers to give substance to the lineage.

“Physically, he’s an outstanding horse. We have two beautiful (Wootton Bassett) stallions by War Front mares at home on the farm in Kentucky and we’re very excited about them; they’re beautiful role models. I saw a lot of those qualities in him and vice versa. He’s a great runner, very elegant and classy. He has the balance that I like to see. He has the makings of a stallion.”

Stewart, who drives under the banner of Resolute Racing, has started to make a name for himself on the racetrack in the USA, where Jump And Sweet Rebecca have won at stakes level. His colours have also graced the turf in Britain when he raced Evade And Palace Green in partnership with Qatar Racing.

O’Connor said all options were open for the Wootton Bassett stallion, who fetches a seven-figure sum.

“I still need to hear from John before there is a final plan but we are putting him in the safest hands now and making a final plan after that,” he said. “We have all options, either John wants to keep him in this region and have a Royal Ascot race next year or bring him back to the US and try to run in some of the nice turf races at Keeneland and Saratoga. He has that caliber and I’m confident he could do it in both places because of his pedigree.”

Stewart has become a major investor in the global thoroughbred market. His purchases include two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Goodnight, Olive a $6 million acquisition at Fasig-Tipton’s The November Sale in 2023, where he also Pizza White And Strength ‘s Dam Queen Caroline for $3 million each.

Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock brand has signed 20 yearlings for $10.685 million at this year’s North American auctions. He also took on the role of underbidder when the mare from Winx was sold for AU$10 million at the Inglis Easter Sale in Australia earlier this year. He was also named South African Horse of the Year 2023 in a worldwide talent search. Princess Calla and Australian runner-up in Group 1 All life.

O’Connor hinted that Stewart could also be active at other major European yearling sales in the coming months.

He said: “This is the most important yearling sale in France. John wants the best of the best and if you’re not there you can’t win. We’ve gone through all the horses pretty carefully, we’re not going to acquire many but the exceptional horse like this one ticks all the boxes. That’s what John wants, that’s his vision, he wants the best of the best for Resolute Racing and he wants to make an impact in the industry worldwide. He’s an incredible person and we’re all blessed and lucky to be part of that vision and mission that John has.”

He added: “John is extremely busy and has a lot going on, but it’s an honor to represent him here and have all his trust in me as I try to introduce him and his fiancée Chelsey to all these great horses. They will sit down and go through the pedigrees and what I’ve passed on with their own choices and we’ll come to a final agreement. It’s a very good dynamic.”

In addition to his rapidly growing portfolio of Thoroughbred horses, Stewart also purchased the former Shadwell’s Shadayid Stud near Midway, Kentucky. The property was later renamed Resolute Farm and is now home to Stewart’s growing herd of broodmares and young stock.

“We only closed the farm at the end of December 2023 and now there are 120 horses at stud,” said O’Connor. “We also have over 40 horses in training.”

“John is very precocious and very decisive in his decisions. When we come together as a team and we all agree on a horse, it’s not like, ‘I like it because of the price.’ He wants to take the horses that we can’t leave the sale without. That’s his mission.”

Facts and figures

Day 1 sales and medians were broadly similar to those of 12 months ago, although average price and settlement rates lagged behind the numbers from this record-breaking renewal.

The daily total was €21,712,000 ($23,925,538), down 5% year-on-year. The median closed at €226,165 ($249,223), down 2%. The average price fell 26% to €137,500 ($151,518), while the sell-through rate was 72%, down from 84% at the corresponding time in 2023. Of 133 lots offered, 96 found a buyer.

The August sale will resume on August 17th, with the after-racing session scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. local time.