Boosted by demand for 2-year-olds in training and a healthy National Hunt market, the Arqana summer sale closed July 4 with a record in total receipts.
The sales company reported 255 horses as sold, including 21 private sales, for an aggregate €5,635,000 ($7,274,079 in U.S. funds), up 35.3% from last year. Average price was €22,979 ($29,663), an increase 17.8%. The clearance rate for the two-day auction was just over 84%.
"This sale, which covers several different segments of the market—from flat-bred 2-year- olds to store horses (2 and 3-year-olds) and horses in training—was the object of a sustained demand as much for the flat as for jumps," Arqana chairman Eric Hoyeau said.
An Irish-bred Sinndar filly named Burford Belle sold for €120,000 ($156,150) to top the 2-year-olds in training session July 3.
Offered by Ecurie Prevost-Baratte, the filly was bought by trainer Marc Pimbonnet on behalf of French client Jean Romero. She is first foal out of French stakes winner Rainbow Dancing, by Rainbow Quest. Rainbow Dancing was twice group-placed and is from the family of 1986 Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner Jupiter Island.
The overall highest price came on closing day when the team of National Hunt trainer David Pipe and bloodstock agent Hubert Barbe went to €280,000 ($361,498) to secure Dell' Arca. A 4-year-old Sholokhov gelding out of two-time stakes winner Daisy Belle, by Acatenango, the Irish-bred has finished in the top three in all six starts in France, earning one win on the flat and finishing second three times over the jumps for trainer and consignor Laurent Viel.
