Record Gains As Arqana October Ends

A further 63 horses sold on Friday brought the curtain down on Arqana's yearling season, with a 25% rise in turnover for the October Sale and record gain across all sectors. The aggregate of 19,700,100 was achieved from 33 more lots sold throughout the four days than in 2015 but the average laos rose sharply, by 18% to €42,187, and the median improved from €25,000 to €30,000. The clearance rate for the sale as a whole was 89% for 474 of the 578 yearlings presented.

Daniel Cherdo's Brittany-based Haras des Evees provided the final-day highlight with lot 597, a colt by Sageburg (Ire) from the stud's good staying family of Varevees (GB) (Kahyasi {GB}) and Kaldounevees (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}). The son of the young Anabaa mare Anna Danse (Fr) was bought by Marc-Antoine Berghgracht for €38,000 and topped a session which added €841,600 to the overall tally at an average price of €13,048 and median of €12,000.

The draft from Ecurie des Monceaux is the perennial leader at Arqana's August Sale and it was no different in October with 28 yearlings sold for €2,169,000, making Lucien Urano and partners the top vendor of the sale. Honorary mention must go to Andreas Putsch––a regular collaborator with Monceaux––who sold five yearlings through his Haras de Saint Pair for an impressive average of €177,000. This included the co-second top lots, a filly by Iffraaj and colt by Shamardal, both sold for €250,000.

The Prime Equestrian organisation, which races horses in France and Dubai, spent more than €1 million on 10 yearlings including some interesting future breeding prospects, while France's champion trainer-elect, Jean-Claude Rouget, signed for 15 yearlings in his own name and had a number from the sale promised to him by other buyers, including Almanzor's Falco half-brother, who will race in the silks of Jean-Louis Bouchard.

“It is very satisfactory to see this sale take a significant step up, which shows that the right animals attract the right money from buyers,” commented Arqana President Eric Hoyeau. We sold a record number of yearlings this week while the average price also took a big leap so our vendors have been well rewarded for their efforts. We welcomed some new faces at this sale as well as many faithful supporters from all around France, Europe and beyond. The new October Sale Criterium has clearly captured the buyers'inspiration, which is a great testimony of the international appeal of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend. More generally, a majority of the horses purchased this week will remain in France to be trained as owners are as keen as ever to take advantage of the attractive prize-money and premiums on offer in this country.”