'These results reveal just how many reasons consignors had to celebrate'

By quirk of cataloguing fate, the majority of sought-after lots came towards the end of play at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale on Friday. Consequently, the consensus among those on the ground in Deauville was that trade seemed to take a little while to heat up.

However, during the last hour there was a real intensity to proceedings, with three two-year-olds going beyond the €400,000 barrier. That number included the day’s headline act, the Zoffany half-brother to Lemista from Mocklershill who went to Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Fawzi Nass and Bahraini interests at €550,000 just four lots from the close of business.

“Roger Varian saw this horse this afternoon and really liked him,” said St Lawrence after signing the docket. “He's a big, strong horse with a good shoulder on him and he went very well – I think he did the ninth-fastest time. He's for a friend and client of Fawzi Nass and Roger will train him."