THOSE selling in Deauville next week will no doubt be heartened by the strong trade at Tattersalls over the past fortnight, not just because it indicates a healthy market, but also due to the likelihood of orders left to be filled.
Those with money left to burn have 668 yearlings to choose from at the Arqana October Yearling Sale, which will take place over the course of four days, compared to the previous five-day format.
The number of lots marks a drop of 17.5%, which will help to improve last year’s clearance rate of 78%. Twelve months ago, the average price fell by 12% to €42,337, though that was compared to a record high in 2024.
The sale, as always, kicks off with the best-bred lots, including yearlings by Blue Point (5), Justify (1), Kingman (2), Night Of Thunder (1), No Nay Never (2), Sea The Stars (7), Sioux Nation (7), Siyouni (7), Starspangledbanner (4), Wootton Bassett (4) and Zarak (12).
Among the first crop sires represented is Paddington, himself a graduate of the sale, along with the likes of Avenir Certain, Audarya, Charm Spirit, Metropolitan, Sistercharlie, Treve, The Grey Gatsby, Woodshauna and Zelzal.
Catalogue highlights
Lot 7: Wootton Bassett filly out of a three-parts sister to the top-class Golden Lilac
Lot 13: Blue Point half-brother to Group 3 winner Elounda Queen, out of a half-sister to Prix Miesque runner-up Shady Lady (Blue Point)
Lot 33: Modern Games half-sister to Prix Marcel Boussac winner Tiger Tanaka
Lot 34: Ace Impact colt out of UAE Okas heroine Mnasek
Lot 41: Sottsass filly out of dual Group 3 winner and Preis der Diana third Mylady
Lot 43: Full-sister to Grand Prix de Paris victor and Epsom Derby runner-up Maltese Cross
Lot 50: Ace Impact half-brother to two group performers, out of a Group 3-winning half-sister to the dam of Chicquita, Diamond Necklace and Magic Wand
Lot 56: Justify half-brother to two stakes horses, out of a Galileo half-sister to Garswood
Lot 57: Sea The Stars half-brother to a group performer, out of a listed-winning mare
Lot 69: Kingman colt out of a blacktype Montjeu mare. Brother to six stakes horses, three of whom are bred on similar lines
Lot 101: Siyouni half-brother to two group winners, out of a blacktype half-sister to Sole Power
Lot 116: Galiway half-brother to Prix Jean Prat winner Woodshauna, out of a blacktype mare
Lot 121: Paddington half-brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Uni
Lot 132: Colt by The Grey Gatsby out of dual Group 1 winner Watch Me
Lot 133: Muhaarar half-sister to two stakes winners, including dual Group 1 winner Watch Me
Lot 136: Siyouni half-brother to Criterium de Saint-Cloud victor Wonderment
Lot 147: Night Of Thunder colt out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Aesop’s Fables, from the family of Lammtarra
Lot 152: Sottsass half-sister to the multiple Group 1-placed May Hill Stakes winner Fleeting and Group 1 runner-up Jannah Flower
Lot 161: Sea The Stars half-brother to recent Group 2 winner Al Hamaad
Lot 196: Sea The Stars colt from the family of Silasol, Solemia and The Gurkha
Lot 334: Blackbeard half-sister to Sapphire Stakes winer Soffia