Support building behind Stradivarius as Arqana concludes with €56m in turnover

A memorable renewal of Arqana’s Breeding Stock Sale concluded in Deauville on Tuesday with significant gains across the range of market indices.

Ring turnover during the four days rose by 37 per cent year-on-year at €56,800,500, despite just 17 more lots coming under the hammer. The average price was up by 27 per cent at €76,757, while the median went from €15,000 to €17,250, a 15 per cent gain.

The clearance rate improved to 80 per cent from 76 per cent as 740 mares, fillies and foals, 52 more than last year, changed hands from 926 offered. The priciest of those was the €3.2 million Malavath, who sold to Moyglare Stud during Saturday’s record-breaking session, which generated higher turnover than all four sessions in 2021 combined.

The fourth session was led by BBA Ireland’s 45th out of a total 46 purchases as the Frankel filly Save The World sold for €52,000. That acquisition took the agency’s spend to a combined €9,211,000, 16 per cent of whole-sale turnover and six per cent of all sold lots.

The unraced three-year-old, who was offered by Haras d'Ombreville, is out of the winning and Group 3-placed Jellicle Ball.

Arqana's Breeding Stock Sale came to a close on TuesdayCredit: Zuzanna Lupa

In turn Jellicle Ball is out of Dance Troupe, making her a sibling to the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes winner Puncher Clynch and this season’s Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Gan Teorainn, who also sold to BBA Ireland for 1,000,000gns at the recent Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

Agent Jeremy Brummitt, buying on behalf of owner Bjorn Nielsen, raided the final section of the Haras du Quesnay dispersal with the purchase of two well-credentialled 16-year-olds, first going to €50,000 for Theoricienne before bidding €32,000 for Treasure just a few lots later.

“It’s a privilege to buy two mares from breeders who have tried to breed top-class horses for more than 50 years, instead of just trying to make a quick buck in the sales ring,” said Brummitt.

“We’re thrilled to get these two and when the catalogue came out we identified them as ideal mates for Stradivarius, so they’ll both go to him next season.”

Theoricienne, a Kendor half-sister to three-time US Grade 2 scorer Blacktype, has bred four winners, including the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene victor Tour To Paris and the stakes-winning She's My Type.

Theoricienne’s page traces back to her fourth dam Natalma, a near ubiquitous presence in pedigrees all around the world as the dam of the breed-shaping Northern Dancer.

Treasure, a Listed-winning and Group 3-placed daughter of Anabaa, has also bred four winners, three of whom have gained black type. Heading her brood is Listed Prix Urban Sea winner Tresorerie and King Ottokar, who was third in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes won by Sangarius.

The Intello filly foal out of Treasure sold to Ballylinch Stud/BSI for €100,000 during day two of the sale.

“It’s very satisfying to breed to mares when you’re equally happy if you get a filly or a colt,” continued Brummitt. “It’s also very exciting to buy a mare who still has Natalma on her page. Their appeal to us at this age is a testament to all the time and effort the Head family have put into breeding them.

“They’ve tried to breed racehorses for six generations, rather than sales horses, and we want those families from people who breed racehorses. It’s been a very long wait but we’re very happy to get those two.”

Stradivarius carried Nielsen’s silks to 20 successes, including seven Group 1s and three Gold Cups. The son of Sea The Stars stands at the National Stud in Newmarket, where his opening fee is £10,000.

Freddy Powell: 'These record results are the result of a real team effort.'Credit: Patrick McCann

Reflecting on unprecedented demand over the four days of trading in Deauville, Arqana's president Eric Hoyeau and chief executive Freddy Powell said in a joint statement: "The sales season is coming to a close on an excellent note after four incredible days. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all the vendors who have entrusted us with mares, fillies and foals of exceptional quality.

"Deauville was particularly cosmopolitan, welcoming buyers from all over Europe but also from the United States, Australia, Japan, India and Turkey, the result of the inspection work of our bloodstock team and our representatives abroad.

"A big congratulations also to the stud staff and our team in the yards, who gave their best despite the cold and the intense days, throughout this great marathon that is the Vente d’Elevage. These record results are the result of a real team effort, both among our sales staff and in our offices.

"We will now focus on the last sale of the year, which will take place online next Thursday, and we wish everyone a happy holiday season."

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