NEWS
Arqana begins Deauville yearling sale Friday
Posted: Thursday, August 12, 2010 1:43 PM
by John Gilmore
Racehorse owners and breeders worldwide have descended on the prestigious annual Arqana Deauville International yearling sale that begins Friday and runs through August 16 with 480 yearlings cataloged, down 22 from 502 last year.
“There was no point filling up the catalog to a round number like 500,” Arqana Managing Director Olivier Delloye said. “We felt that 480 individuals ticked all the boxes to sell well in August.”
The strength of the catalog in part comes from its Group 1 performing mares who produced yearlings offered: Amonita (GB), Choc Ice (Ire), Eliza, Lune d’Or (Fr), Mystic Lips, Musicana, Porlezza, and Ysodina as well as from yearlings whose siblings include Coronation Stakes (Eng-G1) winner Lillie Langtry (Ire), Group 1-winning sire Shamardal.
Delloye said Arqana’s strength is bringing together willing buyers and willing sellers who not only meet the market’s pedigree demands but also its economic considerations.
“In this business, the right offer makes the difference and only good horses can allow you to attract top buyers from all over the world,” Delloye said. “We inspect about 1,500 yearlings from all over Europe plus a few in the U.S. and want to attract the cream of the crop, by the right stallions, out of well-bred young or proven broodmares in stake level races.”
Arqana has typically bucked international and European trends, as average at the Deauville yearling sale increased for a fourth consecutive year in 2009, and total receipts (including private sales) have increased 81% from 2005 through ’09.
By comparison, the Orby Irish yearling sale has reduced its schedule to two days from a day with only 421 presented in 2009 compared to 657 the previous year. Still, average price declined 7% in 2009, though that was a vast improvement versus ’08 when average dropped 32%.
Arqana has enhanced the sale experience for bloodstock professionals with a series of applications for mobile devices that allow buyers to view inspection videos, follow the sale live, and make private offers for unsold lots.
John Gilmore is a French correspondent of Thoroughbred Times
