After five days of selling that saw a pair of €500,000 yearling colts by Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Kingman (GB) share topper honours, the Arqana October Yearling Sale concluded with a second day of Part III in Deauville.
The clearance rate for 604 sold from 730 offered was 83% for an aggregate of €29,413,000 (+12%). This year marked the fifth consecutive October Sale reached 80% or higher. In addition, the total average was €48,251) (+9%), nearing the elusive €50,000 mark for the first time. The median also rose 14% to €28,500. Sustained demand from all levels of the market resulted in 68 yearlings bringing €100,000 or more (60 in 2023), and the number selling for €200,000 also increased to 22 (12 in 2023).
The final day of trade featured a son of Sea The Moon (Ger) (lot 729) change hands for €50,000 to the Broadhurst Agency. From the same family as G1 Preis der Diana heroine Palmas (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), the colt is out of Panja (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Diadema (Fr) (De Treville {GB}). Haras d'Ombreville offered the grandson of dual German Group 3 winner Peace Royale (Ger) (Sholokov {Ire}).
A daughter of Bated Breath (GB) (lot 775) was the highest-priced member of her sex on Saturday. She sold to Nexus Consulting for €31,000 from the consignment of Haras de Castillon. Out of the Shalaa (Ire) mare Sundaze (Fr), the bay is related to Italian group winner Trip To Rhodos (Fr) (Rail Link {GB}) and Scandinavian group winner Brownie (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}).
Saturday's trade saw 120 lots sold (81%) from 149 offered for a gross of €1,340,500. The average dropped to €11,171 (-23%) and the median was €9,000 (-25%).
Leading all vendors was Ecurie des Monceaux, managed by Henri Bozo, who sold 26 yearlings for a gross of €3,140,000. Second on that table was Lucie Lamotte and Gwenael Monneraye's La Motteraye, who sold 33 yearlings for €2,561,000. Anna Sundstrom of Coulonces was third at €1,703,000 for 21 yearling sold.
Top of the buyers' sheet were the duo of Anthony Stroud and Matt Coleman of Stroud Coleman Bloodstock, who bought 10 yearlings for €1,912,000. Elliot Bloodstock Services' Alex Elliott was second at €1,330,000 for 12 head, while Meridian International's Ghislain Bozo bought a baker's dozen for €1,215,000.
The only Kingman yearling in the catalogue sold for €500,000, while Night Of Thunder, who also had a €500,000 colt, averaged €275,667 for three sold. Wootton Bassett (GB), who has been enjoyed an extremely good year with his juveniles, averaged €268,750 for four yearlings.
Arqana's post-sale statement read, “The last five days have concluded in the best possible way, and we can only be satisfied with the results. They testify to the appetite for French production, and we'd like to thank all the buyers who made the trip, as well as all our vendors for their hard work and endurance over an intense week.
“The sale saw international demand, and the French were not to be outdone. The whole of France was represented among the buyers, at all market levels. Numerous French or French-based trainers were active right from Part I, such as Yann Barberot who bought one of the sale's top prices, a son of Night Of Thunder (Ire) consigned by Haras du Mont dit Mont for French owners, and Fabrice Chappet who purchased a son of Victor Ludorum (GB) for Jean-Christophe Moran. We'd like to salute this fine French business, which contributes to the dynamism of our industry. All these yearlings are eligible for the Arqana Series next year.
“The month of October was also an opportunity to support a cause particularly close to our hearts, the fight against cancer, through the Pink October movement. Thanks to all those who took part in the various actions organized, notably Baroda Stud, Haras de Montaigu, La Motteraye Consignment, Haras de l'Aumônerie and Haras d'Étreham, that walked all week in aid of the fight against cancer.”
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