The first of four sessions of the Arqana Autumn Yearling Sale took place on Saturday with a day dedicated to flat-bred yearlings. After scratches, 214 youngsters went under the hammer, with 156 finding new homes for a clearance rate of 72.9%. A total of €1,092,000 was accrued, at an average price of €7,000 and a median of €5,000. Last year's yearling session, which took place at the end of the sale, saw 147 yearlings sold (83.5%) for an average of €8,044 and a median of €6,500.
Sebastian Desmontils's Chauvigny Global Equine signed for three of the top five lots on Saturday on behalf of various trainers. Leading the way was Quesnay's Al Wukair (Ire) half-sister to the listed-placed Tres Forte (Fr) (Whipper) (lot 233), who fetched €57,000 with Desmontils acting on behalf of trainer George Baker. This is the first crop of yearlings for Al Wukair.
Desmontils was working on behalf of trainer Henri Devin when he went to €26,000 for lot 175, a filly by Doctor Dino (Fr), and for Mathieu Brasme when he signed for lot 9, a colt by Pedro The Great, for €21,000.
The top-priced colt of the session was Haras des Pierres Follets's Pedro The Great colt from the family of American champion mare Questing (lot 240), who was bought by Joel Boisnard for €22,000.
After a break in the action on Sunday, the Arqana Autumn Sale continues on Monday and runs through Wednesday. It is followed by the Arqana National Hunt Breeding Stock Sale on Thursday.
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