A storm is brewing in Deauville, literally and figuratively. The picture postcard Normandy seaside town is set to be battered by strong winds and Biblical rain Dec. 7, just as Arqana brings the curtain up on the final breeding stock sale of the European calendar.
The lineup contained within the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale's 974-lot catalog, as well as the assembled cast of major international buyers, makes it seem entirely likely that bids will be raining down in unusually large quantities inside the ring too. All the major operations were represented on the grounds Dec. 6, including Coolmore, Godolphin, Juddmonte, and Shadwell. Alex Elliott, who has been front and center of Amo Racing's remarkable spending spree, was also out doing his due diligence.
The Japanese contingent included Shadai Farm principal Teruya Yoshida, while American and Australian interests were also present. Whispers on the sales ground suggested that John Stewart, fresh from spending 6,265,000 guineas on five fillies at Tattersalls, including the 3.2 million-guinea Vertical Blue, would be arriving ahead of Saturday's session.
None of the lots on offer achieved more on the track than Sparkling Plenty (Lot 200), winner of this year's Prix de Diane (G1). The group 1-winning daughter of Kingman is being offered by Haras de Bouquetot to dissolve the partnership between Al Shaqab Racing and Jean-Pierre Dubois.
This is the second time the filly has hit the public market this year after she was offered at the Goffs London Sale. On that occasion Al Shaqab bought a 50% stake in a private deal worth £5 million, but only after Sparkling Plenty had gone unsold at £8.1 million in the ring.
Another of the standout offerings is the high-class 2-year-old filly Daylight (178). Patrice Cottier has saddled the daughter of Earthlight to two successes, most notably the Prix de Cabourg (G3), which she won by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths.
Daylight has shown even better form in defeat in group 1 company, first when third to Whistlejacket in the Prix Morny (G1) and then when second to Cartier champion 2-year-old filly Lake Victoria in the Cheveley Park Stakes (G1). She was last seen finishing runner-up to Sky Majesty in the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2).
Daylight is the centerpiece of a debut draft from the up-and-coming Haras de Beaumont, home of the 2023 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) hero Ace Impact. The consignment is one of quality over quantity as its six lots also include the group 2 winner Classic Flower (191).
"Daylight is one of the best 2-year-olds in Europe, she's a very exciting filly," said Mathieu Alex, stud and nominations manager at Haras de Beaumont.
"She's been extremely popular and she's taking all the attention very well; she's got a fantastic temperament. ... It's fantastic to have her and Classic Flower, two very high-class fillies, in our first consignment," continued Alex.
On Beaumont's consigning debut, Alex said: "Beaumont was created only two years ago. One very important part of our business is the stallions. We started with Sealiway, added Ace Impact last year and now we have Puchkine new to stud this year.
"We thought consigning was an important thing to do for a farm like ours, and we're very happy to come here with such a nice consignment."
Market Outlook
Arqana chief executive Freddy Powell issued a positive bulletin ahead of Saturday's opening session, noting a combination of factors were coming together to drive optimism.
"Based on our catalog, the market in the last few weeks and the people we've seen on the sales ground, we can be confident of a good sale on Day 1," he said. "We're seeing all the right signs, although when you've been in the business for as long as I have, you know that anything can happen.
"Most people love being here at this time of year and we're very lucky to be based in such an attractive town. Then there's the content of the catalog; we have something very special with Sparkling Plenty, I'm not sure there have been many like her at the breeding stock sales around the world over the last few years, so that's very exciting."
The four-session Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale begins Saturday at 10 a.m. local time.
