The Arqana Arc Sale held at Saint-Cloud on Saturday night saw a 25% increase in average over last year.

With a 22% smaller catalogue than 2007, the overall turnover showed a decline of 16.4% from €4,285,000 to €3,829,500.

The most sought-after lots were:
-Lot 18, Elusive Wave, unbeaten in three starts a 2 including the Group Three Prix du Calvados, was sold with her entry in the Prix Marcel Boussac, to be run at Longchamp on Sunday. Oceanic Bloodstock snapped up the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee for €660,000 on behalf of American owner Martin Schwartz, who has experienced some tremendous success courtesy of his French purchases (notably GORELLA and LADY OF VENICE, both Group winners Stateside).

- Lot 37, PALLODIO, the winner of La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte since the catalogue was published, was knocked down to Shadwell’s Angus Gold for €400,000. Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s operation has been very lucky with his purchases at the Arc Sale, most recently RACINGER, the 2007 top price at €665,000 and who bagged another Group Two this season.

- Lot 21, HELLO MORNING, 2nd in the Group One Critérium International at two and placed four times at Group level this year, also went the way of Shadwell after Angus Gold forked out €300,000 for the Criquette Head-Maarek trainee.

- Lot 27, FATHAYER, from Italian trainer Paolo Paciello, will join the yard of Errwan Charpy in Dubaï after fetching €300,000.

- The same purchaser got the last word for lot 5, HOPES AND FEARS, at €260,000 from the stable of Jean-Claude Rouget.

- A third significant purchase for the Dubai-based Frenchman was lot 24, POMPEYANO, who was knocked down for €220,000. He was offered by Carlos Laffon-Parias for whom he had won the Derby de l’Ouest (Listed) this year.

Buyers hunting for potential smart jumpers were also out in force:
- Highflyer Bloodstock (Anthony Bromley and David Powell) snapped up 3 threeyear-old colts for a total €320,000.

- Irish trainer Paul Nolan got the last word for the multiple Group performer NOBLE PRINCE at €150,000.

Eric Hoyeau, president of ARQANA, said after the sale: "In the current economic context we have all reasons to be pleased with such an increase in the average. The results show once more that there is always plenty of money for the good horses, of which the 2008 catalogue was particularly rich. The variety in the destinies expecting the horses sold, ranging from Dubaï to Cheltenham, is also a positive indicator of the large support attracted by this unique
sale."