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International buyers responded positively to the new, more segmented and graduated format introduced for the four-day Arqana October Yearling Sale.

Of the 563 yearlings to go under the hammer, 74% were sold, a drop of five percent. This had an impact on turnover which reached €17,692,000 (-4%) but the average pricet rose to €41,201.

Haras de Victot ivested €1,085,000 for 11 yearlings on behalf of Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani to be the leading buyer at the sale followed by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock that bought five yearlings for €960,000 and Paul Nataf, who purchased 31 lots for €763,500.

Of the five vendors that produced a turnover of over €1 million during the four days, the Ecurie des Monceaux finished top of the consignors list with 22 yearlings sold for €1,898,000 followed by Haras d'Etreham and Haras de Castillon. 

Following the sale Arqana president Eric Hoyeau said, "With the aim of being more comprehensible for buyers, the new format has worked well.

"We worked on the sections to ensure that each horse was in its rightful place, and this was understood by all.

"Nevertheless, we are operating in an uncertain environment, and the increase in the average price was not able to maintain the turnover, reflecting the selectivity of the market.

"Despite the decrease in most of the figures the October Sale continues to attract a wide range of buyers from Europe, Australia, Japan, the United States and North Africa.

"The attractiveness of French bloodstock and the popularity of our stallions continue to grow as evidenced by the combined results of the first three yearling sales of the year, with an average price that continues to rise."

Over the three sales a total of 75,05% of the 1,094 yearlings offered were sold for an average of €84,887, up 14% in comparison to last year, generating a turnover of €65,629,500 (+8%).