ARQANA started the 2018 sale season in France well, posting a healthy increase in turnover at their two-day February Sale which concluded on Wednesday. Most of the significant action took place on the second day when flat-bred stock was offered.

Three lots sold for six-figure sums and all realised €200,000 or more. There was little surprise when Learning To Fly, sold as part of the fallout from Mayfair Speculators chief Markus Jooste’s dispersal of his equine interests, topped the trade at €300,000. Co-owned with China Horse Club, the three-year-old son of Oasis Dream won on his only start last year when trained by Andre Fabre. Sally-Ann Grassick conducted the bidding for Anthony Stroud.