Arqana December

One wouldn't get many pages into this year's Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale catalogue before noticing a sizeable German presence, and one of the standout drafts making the trek from France's neighboring country is that of Ronald Rauscher, who offers 11 mares this weekend. Seven of those go through the ring during Saturday's select session, including two 2020 pattern race winners. An increase in the presence of German fillies at Arqana in recent years has coincided with a growing number of German owners running their horses in France, and Rauscher...

The breeding stock sales caravan rolls on to France this weekend for the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale, and while the pandemic will inevitably lead to fewer making the pilgrimage to Deauville, a typically strong and diverse catalogue-buoyed by another good year on the world's racecourses for the sale's graduates-means that global enthusiasm is unlikely to be dampened at the four-day sale that runs Dec. 5 through 8. "Given the circumstances it's a relief to be able to organize the sale," said Ludovic Cornuel, head of bloodstock at Arqana. "This...

Arqana has released its COVID-19 protocols for its December Breeding Stock Sale, which runs Dec. 5 through 8 in Deauville. Access to the sales complex is restricted to vendors, buyers and sales personnel, and anyone seeking access must fill out a request for access form. Those traveling from abroad will receive a travel authorisation from Arqana to permit them to clear controls. Face masks must be worn at all times on the sales complex-snoods and scarves do not qualify. The auction will take place in the indoor arena, with a...

Arqana on Friday added six wildcards to its December Breeding Stock Sale, to be offered on Saturday, Dec. 5. Newton's Night (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 110) is a full-sister to Grade III winner and multiple stakes producer Dress Rehearsal, as well as to the dams of group winners Muthmir (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), My Titania (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Majestic Queen (Ire) (Kheleyf). The 9-year-old Newton's Night is in foal to Advertise (GB). Also added to the Monceaux draft are Lions Den (Animal Kingdom), an unraced daughter of...

The Yoshida brothers' reputation of farming the best broodmare prospects globally for their elite collection on the island of Hokkaido has been well documented. And while they have enjoyed top-level success with runners from as far afield as the U.S. and Argentina and various parts of Europe, they have experienced a particular purple patch as of late with the progeny of mares sourced from France. When Fierement (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) defended his title in the two-mile G1 Tenno Sho Spring on May 5, he became the third Group 1...