Arqana Autumn Ends With Gains
Arqana wrapped up its three-day Autumn Sale Wednesday with increases across most indicators. Over the three days that saw flat and National Hunt horses in training, fillies and mares and yearlings go under the hammer, a total of 418 horses changed hands for a record €8,295,000, up 9.4% from the 421 sold for €7,580,500 a year ago. The average of €19,844 was up 10.2% from 12 months ago, and the median remained the same at €9,000. The buyback rate was up slightly to 25%.
Wednesday’s yearling session that was largely comprised of flat-bred offerings saw 121 yearlings sell for €943,500, at an average of €7,798 (down 11.5%) and a median of €6,000 (down 14.2%). Wednesday’s high price of €42,000, paid by Marc-Antoine Berghgracht’s MAB Agency for lot 491, a filly by Air Chief
Marshal (GB), eclipsed last year’s top price for this session, which was €37,000. The filly is out of the stakes-placed Fenella’s Link (GB) (Linamix {Fr}), and is a half-sister to the Group 3-placed Drifting Mist (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}).
“I have bought her for Claire Stephenson, who is very fond of grey horses, and she will be trained locally by Georges Doleuze,” said Berghgracht. “She is a lovely filly with a great page, and out of a Linamix mare.”
The Air Chief Marshal filly was part of the first draft of Haras de Castillon, which is operated by Haras de Bouquetot Manager Benoit Jeffroy and his partner Annabelle Aime. Castillon sold all nine yearlings offered at Arqana Autumn, headed by a €90,000 Saint Des Saints (Fr) colt Tuesday.
The highest-priced colt of the session was lot 636, a son of Solider Of Fortune (Ire) hammered down to Nicolas Williams for €30,000 and consigned by Jedburgh Stud.
Wednesday’s session also marked the conclusion of Arqana’s 2015 yearling sales, which saw four sales post a combined record gross of €65,004,000. It was the third straight year the Arqana yearling sales posted an increased aggregate, and that figure has risen 57% since 2010. The total average price for Arqana yearlings grew 7% this year to €62,086.
“The turnover for the August sale progressed by 8%, which is the largest increase among the four more significant European yearling sales, and notably featured the highest-priced yearling colt in Europe, the son of Dubawi and Pacifique who sold for €2.6 million to John Ferguson,” said Arqana’s Managing Director Olivier Delloye. “After only three years of existence, the concept of the v.2 yearling sale is already firmly established, and has found its market. As for the October Sale, it recorded its second- highest aggregate ever, a good testimony of the strength of the domestic market, while the Autumn Sale was significantly boosted by the buoyant health of the National Hunt market. The results are a great credit to the tremendous work of our vendors, and we extend our warmest thanks to all the buyers who supported our sales this year.”