Feel-Good Factor Ahead of Arqana Summer Sale

The efforts made by all European sales houses during 15 months of constantly shifting auction dates and varying degrees of lockdown across the major breeding and racing nations have been little short of remarkable. 

But there is no doubting that the overriding sentiment among buyers and vendors ahead of the two days of the Arqana Summer Sale is one of getting back to the business and pleasure of Deauville in a way that hasn't been possible since the start of the epidemic. 

The absence of face-coverings is one sure sign, as is the return to somewhere near full capacity of the town's favorite restaurants and watering holes. 

In addition, a recent shift in French government regulations means buyers from Britain as well as Ireland have been able to come directly from the airport to begin their inspections. 

"I'm pleased the French government have allowed us in with two vaccinations and I can get straight to business without quarantine," said Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock. "A couple of weeks ago it looked like we'd have to come early and isolate."

The June 30 opening session begins with a selection of flat-bred 2-year-olds, who were put through their paces on the re-laid Deauville Polytrack June 29. 

There are flat breeding prospects on offer July 1, while it is with its jumping stock that this sale has consistently made its reputation. 

On Wednesday the 2-year-old and 3-year-old stores return after a COVID-19-enforced absence, while day two features horses in training. On both days there will be an opportunity to buy from the first tranche of the dispersal from Ecurie Centrale, one of the most recognizable entities in French jump racing over the last 20 years. 

"We're very happy to have everyone here and people are telling us they're happy to be back," said Arqana executive director Freddy Powell.

"We've a high-quality catalog, which has persuaded people to come, and with the ridden 2-year-olds, a lot of French buyers weren't able to make the trip to Doncaster (for the Arqana Breeze-Up) so it's their first opportunity to source a horse. 

"We've a beautiful selection of stores, which we weren't able to do last July; we had to push them back to the sale in November. That was a function of the fact store sales in Britain and Ireland hadn't taken place in their usual slot, meaning pinhookers didn't have money to reinvest. 

"We ended up with all the 2-year-old jumping stock in the November sale, and that was too late for a lot of French trainers. If you want to be running over hurdles in the first half of the season at 3, your horses need to be working by November. So it's really pleasing to have that section back in its rightful slot." 

Powell added: "We have a good catalog of mares, with major operations like the Aga Khan Studs, Al Shahania and the Wertheimers all consigning. There's always a lot of demand for horses from those sources. And there's a bit of added spice with the first part of the Ecurie Centrale dispersal."

For Bromley, the return of the stores' section is particularly welcome. 

"It's the first time I've been in Deauville since last July but last year they had only the form horses and no 2-year-olds, which was a shame," he said. 

"It's really good we've now got a strong bunch of pedigrees and horses to have a look at as 2-year-old stores here. On the back of strong sales in Ireland—and particularly for French-breds in those store sales—it should be nice trade."

The presence of all the major British and Irish jumps battalions should ensure some lively exchanges across the two days, while home-based agents are also intent on filling their order books.

Nicolas de Watrigant spent much of the afternoon in the company of Pierre Pilarski, a major name in the world of trotting thanks to the exploits of Bold Eagle. 

Pilarski has in recent years added top-class jumpers, such as Feu Follet, and now has a live contender for the Grand Prix de Paris with the Simone Brogi-trained Gregolimo.

"This hasn't been a sale where I've invested a lot in the past but it's become more and more interesting," said de Watrigant. "For example last year Chez Pierre came out of this sale.

"I feel it's a sale that's improving, and you find horses that missed their slot in May. There are two or three interesting horses here that would have been in that sale but either didn't go to Doncaster or had a minor problem that held them up. That creates opportunities for buyers this week."

De Watrigant added: "Someone like Monsieur Pilarski really participates in the buying and wants to see a horse with his own eyes, so he was happy to wait and come here in search of a pearl."