At this year’s Arqana Trot Selected Sale in Deauville, held Sept. 2 – 4, an all-time high record was set for average price at approximately $43,500 — a 15.05% improvement over last year, when the previous record was set at approximately $37,800.
A total of 470 yearlings went through the ring, and 299 of them were sold, corresponding to a clearance rate of 65.6%. As previously reported, Danish-born Opera Royal, sired by Tactical Landing, was the most expensive horse at the auction with a bid of approximately $580,650.
Among the sires, Face Time Bourbon again led the way with an average of approximately $115,200 for 24 yearlings sold. He was followed by Idao de Tillard with an average of approximately $112,730 for 16 yearlings sold, and then Bold Eagle with approximately $54,775 for six offspring sold.
At the Swedish Derby Auction at Jägersro, the top price was approximately $203,490, paid for the filly Hidden Treasure by Muscle Hill. The auction’s most expensive colt, Ho Ho Ho, was also by Muscle Hill. He was sold for approximately $146,300.
Despite these prices, the average price still fell by 22.9% compared with last year’s auction.
A total of 89 yearlings were sold at an average price of approximately $17,500, with 72% of the yearlings offered being sold.
There was also an auction in Finland, where 50 yearlings were sold at an average price of approximately $7,150.
The Readly Express filly Celebration topped the sale at approximately $37,750, while 67% of the yearlings offered were sold.