Arqana Sale Closes With Record Aggregate and Average

After a cacophony of seven-figure bids brought the curtain up on the Arqana Breeding Stock Sale Dec. 4, trade mellowed throughout the following three sessions until ending on a rather more low-key note Dec. 7.

The concluding day was topped by the La Riviere-consigned Hurrym (Lot 977), a winning Hurricane Run  half sister to smart jumper Early Doors and the listed-winning flat performer Landym . The 4-year-old, who was offered in foal to Rio de La Plata , drew a winning bid of €28,000 (US$31,604) from George Mullins.

The four-day sale generated an unprecedented level of turnover, with aggregate sales reaching a record €41,556,000 ($46,905,600). This figure is not only a 65% year-on-year gain but is also up 21% when compared against the pre-COVID-19 renewal in 2019.

The average also reached a record level, climbing by 33% to €60,314 ($68,078), which is also a 22% rise against 2019. The median price was €15,000 ($16,931), down by €1,000 (6%) on 2020's comparative result, and €4,000 (21%) below the level of 2019.

The size of the catalog was back in line with 2018 and 2019 following a smaller offering in 2020, and 689 of 907 offered lots found a buyer for a clearance rate of 76%. The same metric was 79% in 2020 but identical to this year in 2019 and 2018.

The lion's share of turnover came from the remarkable session Saturday night when five seven-figure lots changed hands and spending reached €32,203,000 ($36,348,500), 77% of whole sale turnover.

Topping the list of prices was Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) heroine Rougir  (Lot 160), who became the most expensive breeding prospect sold in Europe this year when knocked down to Oceanic Bloodstock, acting on behalf of Peter Brant and M.V. Magnier, at €3 million ($3,390,040). The group 1 winner also holds the distinction of being the most expensive lot ever sold at Arqana. 

She was closely followed by the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (G1) winner Grand Glory  (Lot 192), bought by Yohea Bloodstock for €2.5 million ($2,825,030), and Waldgeist 's sister Wildfeder (Lot 188), who was signed for by Crispin de Moubray as Gestut Ammerland bought out partners Newsells Park Stud at €2.05 million ($2,316,530).

First-time vendor Sumbe, the umbrella under which Nurlan Bizakov's Hesmonds Stud, Montfort & Preaux, and Haras du Mezeray operate, topped the consignors' charts with six sold for €5,352,000 ($6,040,970), 13% of turnover. The sextet included the aforementioned Rougir and the €1.95 million ($2,203,530) Speak of the Devil  (Lot 172).

Michel Zerolo topped the buyers' table, with his Oceanic Bloodstock signing for six lots at a total of €5,315,000 ($5,999,210), also 13% of turnover. As well as for Rougir and Speak of the Devil, Zerolo also signed the ticket for the €180,000 ($203,506) Sisila (Lot 406), who jointly topped day two and was bought to join the agent's own broodmare band.

At close of trade Tuesday, Arqana's chairman Eric Hoyeau and executive director Freddy Powell said in a joint statement: "After a turbulent 2020, 2021 has been marked by tremendous resilience at all levels and concluded with an outstanding Vente d'Elevage (Breeding Sale) that exceeded all our expectations.

"With five millionaire fillies in the first session and a turnover in excess of €40 million for the first time, the sale continued its upward trajectory and has now taken on a whole new dimension.

"All the ingredients were present and this resulted in very good prices in the ring. Four of the five fillies sold for a seven-figure price were acquired as yearlings at Deauville in August or October, and some owners did not hesitate to reinvest during the sale, such as with Tickle Me Green  (Lot 204) and Sun Bear  (Lot 165).

"The quality of the catalog attracted many buyers from the United States, Japan, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and all over France. We would like to thank our vendors who entrusted us with the best of their breeding and racing stock, as well as all our teams who worked tirelessly to make this sale a success.

"We wish everyone a very happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in February."