'It will be my first sale with Arqana and I'm really looking forward to it'

Deauville-based sales house Arqana recently strengthened its team with the acquisition of Marine Moussa to its bloodstock department, where she will be in charge of the organisation and coordination of sales on Arqana Online. She tells us about herself and her new job.

Fill us in on your background and where your interest in racing and bloodstock came from - do you have any family connections to the sport?

I come from a non-racing family but grew up in Normandy, which certainly helped to increase my interest in horses and racing. But it wasn’t until my last year of agricultural engineering school that I decided to pursue a career in the thoroughbred industry.

For my diploma, I had the opportunity to do a one-year work placement at the Aga Khan Studs in Haras de Bonneval, Saint-Crespin and Ouilly. This is where my passion for the thoroughbreds started and since then I have travelled the world to learn the different facets of the racing industry.

What did you do during your initial work experiences in France, the United States and Australia?

During my year at the Aga Khan Studs I was sharing my time between the office and the yards to understand the management of a stud farm. I was working in the yard early morning and then going in the office to work on pasture management, marketing, bloodstock and sales.

Once I graduated I travelled to Kentucky to work at Lane’s End Farm to improve my horsemanship and to deepen my knowledge of equine science. I stayed a year there to participate in the different sales and the foaling season.

After Lane’s End, I decided to fly to Australia to do the yearling preparation at Segenhoe Stud and the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Finally, I worked at Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Racing as a strapper to develop my understanding of the racing and training side.

Tell us about your two years on the Godolphin Flying start programme - where were your placements and what did you learn?

The richness of knowledge and people we met during the Flying Start was incredible. The format of the programme was a bit different due to the pandemic and I had the opportunity to do four externships instead of three. I started with Francis-Henri Graffard in Chantilly, then Inglis in Sydney, Tattersalls in Ireland and finally Weatherbys in England. By doing these different externships, my goal was to learn more on the aspects of the industry I did not explore prior to the course.

During my placement at Graffard racing, I learned the different roles in a racing yard and was working as a racing manager assistant, watching the lots with Mr Graffard and going racing with the travelling head lad. It allowed me to deepen my knowledge of French racing. I also had the opportunity to attend the breeze-up sales with Mr Graffard to understand what a trainer looks for in a two-year-old.

My time at Inglis was a turning point in my career as I discovered there the job I wanted to do after the Flying Start. I learned with them the different aspects of an auction house - from inspecting horses to client relations and creating a catalogue.

With my placement at Tattersalls Ireland I expanded my knowledge on jump racing, store sales and point-to-points.

Finally, during my externship at Weatherbys, I learned about their role as a liaison between the different participants of our industry – from racing administration, stud book, bloodstock, to insurance and banking. I had a good view of how the British racing industry works as a whole.

The Arqana site in Deauville will burst back into life in AugustCredit: Zuzanna LUPA

You have just joined Arqana’s bloodstock team, what will your role involve?

One of my missions will be to coordinate and organise the online sales, but I will also be involved in different sales as a bloodstock executive.

August will be a busy month for Arqana, with the select sale, Lumet Show and online sale, what are you looking forward to most?

August is such an exciting time of the year here in Deauville with the sales and the race meeting. The Arqana Select sale showcases la crème de la crème of the yearlings, and everyone comes here to have a good time. It will be my first sale with Arqana and I'm really looking forward to it.

I will also be coordinating my first online sale alongside my colleagues, which I'm thrilled about. Finally, the Lumet Show is a store sale with the lots pre-trained and schooled over jumps. There is a unique atmosphere for this sale in western France, a very appreciated time of the year for the vendors and buyers.

Do you have a favourite sire, or racehorse, either in France or elsewhere?

Zarak will always be a favourite of mine as he started his career at stud in Normandy when I started at the Aga Khan Studs. It was my first experience in the thoroughbred industry and he was taking his first steps as a stallion. So we have that in common! It is fascinating to see his progress since his first time at stud, and he has everything to become a very successful stallion.

What would be your dream job in racing or bloodstock?

I am currently doing my dream job! My role will allow me to explore the different facets of Arqana, to be involved internationally and to deepen my knowledge of racing and breeding.

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