An Invincible Spiritcolt, which brought €440,000 ($633,147 in U.S. funds), was the most expensive horse sold during the Aug. 22 opening session of Arqana’s Deauville August yearling sale in France. Waratah Thoroughbreds purchased the bay yearling from Lodge Park Stud.
Bred in Ireland by L K I Bloodstock and Diomed Bloodstock, the colt is the second foal out of the winning Galileo mare Elle Galante, who finished third in the 2006 Prix Belle Nuit in France. His second dam was the German and Italian champion Elle Danzig (by Roi Danzig).
The results of the opening session included a gross of €8,798,000 ($12,660,000) for the 66 yearlings that were sold. The average price was €133,303 ($191,819) and the median was €120,000 ($172,676). The clearance rate was 64.7%.
In addition, two horses were sold privately for a gross of €305,000 ($438,886).
The auction has a new format and is being conducted in a new sale pavilion. It also is being held later in August than usual.
“It is difficult to cast a judgment on today’s results as the new format doesn’t allow for comparisons with previous years,” said Arqana president Eric Hoyeau. “Most of the key indicators are encouraging, notably the average price and the number of individual buyers (11) above €200,000 ($287,794), several of whom are new players.
"The clearance rate is disappointing, yet trade was clearly picking up as the evening went on. As far as the new sales complex is concerned, there is of course some fine-tuning to perform to make it perfectly practicable, comfortable, and safe for all the parties involved. The presence of the non-professional public must specifically be monitored and secured, which we will start tomorrow.”
The opening day was for select yearlings, and another select session is scheduled for Aug. 23.