Arqana Posts Record Turnover

Arqana posted a record turnover and average for its 2016 sales, the aggregate of €129,608,000 up almost 5% from last year, and the average up 5.43% at €50,311. The median held steady at €20,000, while the percent sold was also slightly up at 78.15%.

The company's four yearling sales saw a record-breaking number of horses sold for the third year in a row, with a total turnover of €67,054,600 up 3% on last year's figure. The company's flagship sale, the Arqana August Yearling Sale, posted its best figures since being trimmed from four days to three four years ago, and the v.2 yearling sale saw growth as well, with 30 horses selling in excess of €50,000 compared to 15 in 2015. The October yearling sale saw it's turnover increase 25% to €19.6-million after remaining relatively static over the past three years.

The December Breeding Stock Sale, like other sales of its kind around the world, saw buoyant trade at the top of the market, but tougher trade in the lower tiers. With signs of overproduction being shown this time last year, Arqana's overall numbers catalogued were trimmed for its 2016 sales, including the Breeding Stock Sale, and as such the aggregate was down 10%, while the median dipped 15.7% (€16,000). The average, however, remained steady, falling fractionally at 1.51% (€37,822).

There were strong markets for both 2-year-olds and horses-in-training at Arqana sales in 2016. The Breeze-Up sale, held in May in Deauville, posted a six-figure average for the first time (€110,174, up 22%). All other indicators were also up, highlighted by a clearance rate of 83.5%.

Arqana's horses in training sales offered 11.7% fewer horses than last year, but quality proved to be more effective than quantity, with the cumulative average up 15.5% and turnover up 7.9% (€16,639,000). The Autumn Sale alone recorded a clearance rate of 87%.

The first full year of Arqana Online also proved effective, with seven auctions held this year on the one horse, one sale principle. Shares in French-based sires Siyouni (Fr), Wootton Bassett (GB) and Le Havre (Ire) all changed hands, and 3-year-old Aga Khan homebred Vedevani (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) was sold for €800,000.

Eric Hoyeau, chairman of Arqana, said, “As another year ends with growth in all our key indicators, we gear up to start the second decade of Arqana on the right foot. In a demanding market, the work of our entire team, of our international representatives, of our partner the FRBC combined with that of our vendors and, most importantly, the support of all our buyers, big and small, have enabled us to consolidate our major sales. A further step up was even taken on some intermediary auctions such as the October Yearling Sale owing to a closely adjusted catalogue and the efforts of French breeders to upgrade their stock. Two boutique sales held on the eve of major race meetings, the Breeze Up sale and the Arc Sale, were successfully relocated: the former elected base in Deauville for the first time alongside the French Guineas while the latter took place in Chantilly as we all wait for the Arc weekend to be held in the new Longchamp.”

“The 2016 season was also marked by technological innovations,” Hoyeau continued. “Online sales truly broke through and now form an integral part of our offer to vendors and the repository was launched to general acclaim by professionals. Finally, the great number of group winners bought at the Arqana sales, in all age groups, will contribute to enhance the trust placed in all buyers in our sales, which we see as the best possible blessing for the next sales season.”