'All manner of owners, pinhookers and trainers were doing business at Arqana'

Hosting a yearling sale is a little like baking a cake. Not only do you need a variety of ingredients but they must be combined in precisely the right way for the desired result to be achieved. Arqana and the majority of consignors who sold in Deauville appear to have perfected the August Sale recipe as the three-day event rated a sweet success.

All the necessary components were in place for a successful first stop on the European yearling sale circuit, as Arqana had not only compiled a catalogue boasting strength in depth but had clearly gone to some lengths to make sure many important buyers were in town.

There was a diverse mix of agents, owners and trainers in attendance, and while Arqana’s executive director Freddy Powell suggested getting people to Deauville wasn’t much of a challenge given the town’s charms, plenty of those who bought said their time had been more enjoyable thanks to the sale company’s efforts.