NEWS
Arqana yearling sale opens with across-the-board declines
Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 7:43 PM
by Mike Curry
The opening session of the Arqana Deauville August yearling sale closed on Friday with double-digit declines in total sales, average price, and median, which Arqana President Eric Hoyeau said were not completely unexpected.
Given the struggling global economy and declines at other major auctions, Arqana was prepared to see the trends continue. The sales company reported 64 yearlings as sold, including two private sales, for total receipts of $14,738,050 (11,515,000 euros), down 40.5% from day one last year.
Average price was down 26.7% at $224,498 (175,402 euros), and median dipped 16.7% to $191,985 (150,000 euros). Arqana does not include the two privates sales when determining average and median.
“Today, we have witnessed the same trend that was observed earlier this year at Melbourne, Sidney, Hokkaido, and more recently at Saratoga,” Hoyeau said. “There were plenty of inspections and the quality on offer was as good as last year, yet the market proved difficult and price levels were significantly down.
“The diversity of buyers above 200,000 euros is a positive sign that there is still a lot of appetite for quality yearlings, but the budgets are no longer the same as buyers seem to be setting themselves strict limitations. However, we remain reasonably hopeful for tomorrow’s session as we have some good individuals cataloged and several buyers should still have some money to spend.”
One of the two private sales topped the session as Charles Gordon-Watson secured a Galileo (Ire) filly for $767,940 (600,000 euros). Consigned by Haras d’Etreham for breeder Haras du Berlais, the bay filly is a full sister to Group 1-placed group stakes winner Age of Aquarius. She is out of the Top Ville mare Clara Bow, who is the dam of Group 1 winner Turtle Bow.
Demi O’Byrne purchased the top-priced colt, going to $639,950 (500,000 euros) for a son of Oasis Dream (GB) from The Castlebridge Consignment Ltd. The bay colt is out of group stakes-placed multiple stakes winner Cap Coz, by Indian Ridge and is a half brother to multiple stakes winner Biniou.
For hip-by-hip results, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
