Arqana's four-day December Breeding Stock Sale came to a close on Tuesday with a session geared towards the National Hunt realm. The lone six-figure transaction of the day was the €210,000 paid by Sarl LJ Negoce for lot 941, the 5-year-old stakes-placed mare Boreale du Berlais (Fr) (Presenting {GB}) in foal to Saint Des Saints (Fr).
The final session saw an improved buyback rate of 24% (it was 29.5% last year) while the average and median both dipped (22.9% to €16,432 and 13% to €10,000, respectively). Last year's fourth session, however, included the dispersal of seven former National Stud sires, making comparisons difficult.
Cumulatively, the sale's key figures were not far off last year's. A total of 619 horses were sold over the four days for €23,125,500, compared to 686 sold for €25,945,900 12 months previously. The lots not sold was the exact same at 209, reflecting a buyback rate of 25.2% (it was 23.4% last year). The average was down ever so marginally (1.2%) at €37,359, while the median dipped 15.8% at €16,000. This year's sale saw one more lot surpass the half-million mark for a total of four, and was topped by the €1-million Parvaneh (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) (lot 178).
Arqana President Eric Hoyeau reflected on the sale by saying, “This year we had purposely assembled a smaller catalogue, which reflected on the sale's aggregate. Unfortunately the market proved sticky in the lower tiers, a sign of the return of a degree of overproduction–a reality that has been observed in many other countries this season and must act as a warning for all stakeholders in the industry. On the other hand, there was plenty of appetite for the quality horses, whether fillies, broodmares or foals, for the flat or jumps. The opening day was very lively and we were pleased to welcome as many international buyers as ever including some new faces, while Sunday still saw some strong competition at the higher end of the market, and today French National Hunt bloodlines were
once again popular.”
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