WHILE the action on the final two days of the Arqana October Yearling Sale was in a different league to the first three, they nonetheless contributed to an historic 2024 edition. The sale ended with excellent results, most of the final figures reaching unprecedented levels.

With 83% of some 700 yearlings offered over the five days selling, this figure was above 80% for the fifth consecutive year.

The average price came within touching distance of the €50,000 mark for the first time, rising to €48,251, an increase of 9% on 2023. The turnover of €29,413,000 was a new landmark, up more than 12% on last year.

Demand was strong throughout the sale, with 68 yearlings realising €100,000 or more, eight more than last year, while 22 of them sold for €200,000 or more, and that figure was 12 in 2023.

In their joint statement after the sale, Arqana president Olivier Delloye, and the company’s managing director Freddy Powell, said: “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 progeny, 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 1, such as Yann Barberot, who bought one of the sale’s top lots, a son of Night Of Thunder consigned by Haras du Mont dit Mont for French owners, and Fabrice Chappet, who purchased a son of Victor Ludorum 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.”

Leading vendor

The vendor of 26 yearlings, which sold for a turnover of €3,140,000, Écurie des Monceaux, managed by Henri Bozo, was the leading consignor at the 2024 sale. With 33 lots sold for a total of €2,561,000, Lucie Lamotte and Gwenaël Monneraye of La Motteraye finished second, followed by Anna Sundstrom of Coulonces, who sold 21 lots for €1,703,000.

Anthony Stroud and Matt Coleman were the leading buyers at the sale, spending €1,912,000 on 10 yearlings. They were followed by Alex Elliott, who struck for 12 yearlings and paid €1,330,000, while Ghislain Bozo of Meridian International bought 13 lots for €1,215,000.

The final two days of the sale comprised Part 3 of the sale. On Friday, three yearlings were sold for more than €40,000, led by a daughter of Toronado from Hestia Farm. Bidding on behalf of Racing France, Nicolas Clément, John Hammond and Thibault de Seyssel had the final say at €50,000 for the filly, who hails from the family of classic winner Sendawar.

The top lot on the final day of selling also realised €50,000. This was a son of Sea The Moon, who was consigned by Haras d’Ombreville. He sold to Broadhurst Agency, and is a grandson of the dual group winner Peace Royale, and comes from the family of German classic winner Palmas.