by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondent

The yearling sales season in France got off to a flying start this weekend with the average price was up 14.4%. Trotting Promotion was the organizer of the sale, which took place at the Vincennes Racetrack in Paris.

246 yearlings went through the ring – 163 sold at an average price of 22,284 Euros ($30,500) – up from 19,477 Euros ($26,700) last year.

The sales topper was a colt, Scorpio Vici, sired by Goetsmal Wood out of Irlande du Nord. Scorpio Vici was sold to the Swedish stable, Ecurie Courant for 140,000 Euros ($192,000).

Scorpio Vici was raised and bred by Jack Doliveux, who also bred the only other horse to reach a six figure price, Shako Vici, sired by first crop sire, Insert Gede. Shako Vici sold for 100,000 Euro ($137,000) to the French stable, Ecurie des Charmes.

The next big French yearling sale will start Wednesday in Deauville in Normandy.