Deauville yearling sale opens Friday

Arqana's inception last year coincided with a reversal of the fortunes of

France's flagship Deauville August Yearling Sale, and the latest edition will

bid to build on the increases of 12 months ago as the first of four sessions

begins Friday. While the management of the new conglomerate is keen to praise the

work Agence Francaise had already done to arrest this auction's period of

relative decline, the coming together of that organization and Goffs France

under the new banner has seen a string of successes to advertise the initiative,

wrought by the consortium of investors including His Highness the Aga Khan and

Paris-based art auctioneers Artcurial.

Based around Deauville's Prix Morny (Fr-G1) weekend, the sale features some choice

relatives of proven Group/Grade 1 performers and intriguing young sires, and

Executive President Eric Hoyeau is hoping Arqana's upward trend continues.

"The new format was a real success last year and there were no reasons to

change a winning formula," Hoyeau said. "The feedback we have received so far from people who

have already looked at most yearlings is excellent, and it looks like they

really liked what they have seen. We do not want to sound over-optimistic and we

are not chasing records. Arqana had an excellent sale in 2006 for its first year

in operation, and all we wish is to consolidate our work and build from there

for the future."

Since the latest edition, much vital work has been carried out

on behalf of the company where it matters most, and no runner has done more than

Lawman (Invincible Spirit), who led home a one-two for this auction when conquering Literato

(Kendor) in Chantilly's Prix du Jockey-Club (Fr-G1) in June. Purchased for 75,000 in

2005, the colt is also the winner of this year's Prix Jean Prat (Fr-G1). Longchamp's Prix Saint-Alary

(Fr-G1) had a month earlier witnessed Coquerelle (Zamindar), who fetched

70,000 at that sale, lead home the 30,000 purchase Believe Me (In the Wings [GB]). Last

weekend, Saddex (Sadler's Wells) added to the tally of wins at the highest level when taking

the Rheinland-Pokal (Ger-G1), while Stormy River (Verglas [Ire]), Lady of Venice (Fr)

(Loup Solitaire), Good Mood

(Ire) (Danehill Dancer) and Racinger (Spectrum) and Spirito del Vento (Indian

Lodge) have flown the flag at home and

overseas.

As usual, the 513-strong catalog features leading domestic stalwarts Anabaa, Green Tune, Hernando (Fr), Highest Honor, the recently deceased Kendor, Linamix, Marchand de Sable and Verglas (Ire), who has the

highest representation at 18. International names include Danehill Dancer, Dansili (GB), Galileo (Ire), Giant's Causeway, Johannesburg, King's Best, Monsun, Montjeu (Ire), Mr. Greeley, Pivotal, Red Ransom, Sadler's Wells, Sakhee, Singspiel (Ire) and Street Cry (Ire).

Freshmen include Bachelor Duke, Exceed and Excel, Falbrav (Ire), Haafhd, Johar, One Cool Cat,

Pleasantly Perfect, Refuse To Bend (Ire) and The Cliff's Edge.

Marc de Chambure's Haras d'Etreham takes his customary position as leading consignor

with a 59-strong draft, with Haras des Capucines close behind with an offering

of 50 and Haras du Mezeray, responsible for the last two years' toppers,

consigning a total of 37.

"It looks like we have an excellent catalog, with more yearlings from new

mares, more yearlings from internationally successful families and new

consignors," said Olivier Delloye, managing director of Arqana. "Also, hopefully, we will

have new buyers, and we are even expecting some from North America. We have

chartered planes from England and Ireland to make it easier for buyers who wish

to attend the sale, and we are reasonably hopeful that it will be a good sale.

We have initiated a long process of modernizing the sales in France and making

them more and more attractive.

"It takes time, but the successes on the

racecourses all over this year of yearlings bought in Deauville has been

tremendous, and is of course our best advertisement. We are opening the ball game

in Europe and it is always a delicate position, but we are not too concerned

about that. We are working on a long-term basis and our main concern is the

years to come."

The full catalog

and updates can be viewed on www.arqana.com.