ARQANA’S decision to condense the October Yearling Sale appears to have been justified, as the strong trade seen at Tuesday’s opener continued through subsequent sessions.

The new format and 18% drop in the number of yearlings offered makes comparisons difficult but the greater increase in median - by 30% to €30,000 - and improved clearance rate of 81% were positive, while the average grew by 11% to €47,059. The clearance rate improved most drastically at Tuesday’s opening session, where just six lots went unsold for six figures, compared to 17 last year.