ARQANA Autumn Sale: find your next “French winner!”

Located in the prestigious seaside resort of Deauville in the heart of Normandy, one of the centres of the French breeding industry, ARQANA is France's leading auction house and occupies a prime position in the European market. In just a days' time, the Deauville-based agency will be kicking off its Autumn Sale, an opportunity to unearth horses-in-training from some of France's finest breeding establishments, including the Aga Khan Studs and Wertheimer & Frère.

The success of “FR” bred or raced horses in Australia testifies to the quality of French breeding, and their record in Australia has continued to grow in recent years.

Among the most memorable have been Gold Trip’s (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) win in the prestigious Melbourne Cup, Huetor (Fr) (Archipenko {USA}) triumphing in the Doomben Cup and Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) shining in the Golden Eagle when recently finishing runner-up.

Gallery: Some of the successful French-bred horses that have had stakes success in Australia

Horses in training that have gone through the ring in Deauville have an excellent success rate in Australia. Of the graduates of the ARQANA Sales that have since run in Australia, 56 per cent have shone for their new owners, 44 per cent of them winners, and 23 per cent performing at stakes level.

Eliyass (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), purchased at the 2023 Arc Sale for €330,000 (AU$538,500), won on his Australian debut in a Listed race before taking the G3 Premier’s Cup and G3 James Squire Kingston Town S., as well as being placed in the G1 Turnbull S.

Bought for €140,000 (AU$228,400) at the 2020 ARQANA Autumn Sale as a Listed winner, Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) went on to take the G1 Tancred S.

Mount Popa (Ire) (Maxios {GB}), bought for €200,000 (AU$326,300) at the 2019 Autumn Sale, was victorious in the G3 Sellwood S. and finished third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. In addition, Hopeful (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) won at Listed level, as well as Berdibek (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Carini (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Gregolimo (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) all posting black-type performances.

More recently, Garachico (GB), bought at the 2022 Autumn Sale for €205,000 (AU$334,500) won during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

From the horse’s mouth: why French horses thrive in Australia

As the next edition of the Autumn Sale approaches, industry leaders Terry Henderson (CEO of OTI Racing), Tim Wilson (Founder and CEO of First Light Racing), and bloodstock agent Louis Le Metayer (Astute Bloodstock {FBAA}) share insights on the advantages of French-bred and French-raced horses and the reasons for their growing success in Australia.

For Terry Henderson, the connection to French horses began nearly two decades ago, and it’s a relationship that has consistently paid off.

“We've been buying French horses for nearly 20 years, and we know that they adapt perfectly to Australian racing conditions. Like Australian tracks, most French tracks are relatively flat and the pace of racing, especially over 1600 meters, is very similar.

“As we often run these horses in France before exporting them to Australia, we appreciate the French prizemoney, which are significantly higher than in other European countries. The incentives of the French breeding system are, without doubt, the best in the world.”

It’s not just the conditions that make French horses stand out. Tim Wilson highlights their versatility and value.

“From our point of view, French horses stand out all over the world and particularly in Australia, especially over distances between 1600 meters and 2400 meters.

“The fillies and mares we've bought have all proved to be very sound and have adapted very well to Australian racing, quickly regaining their abilities and even improving. They are often very well managed, have had little racing and show great potential for improvement, which is particularly attractive to us. The highly international and sought-after pedigrees of the fillies and mares we have bought from ARQANA are great opportunities for our owners.”

But it’s not just the horses themselves—it’s the system that produces them. According to Louis Le Metayer of Astute Bloodstock (FBAA), French racing offers unique advantages.

“The French racing system offers certain benefits for horses to then race on in Australia. Compared to England and Ireland, the French system places less emphasis on 2-year-old racing, allowing horses to mature more. French trainers often have smaller stables and adopt a more patient approach, which means that French horses often have less miles on the clock when they arrive in Australia.

“For example, it's rare for French horses to race just two weeks apart, which can have a positive impact on their longevity and overall performance. It must also be recognised that selection is important, as not all French horses are suited to Australian racing.”

Success made in France

The results speak for themselves. Terry Henderson reflects on some of OTI’s most notable French acquisitions:

“OTI has enjoyed remarkable success, and at the highest level, with horses bred in France. I'm thinking in particular of Group 1 winners Manighar and Gailo Chop, as well as our Group 2 winners Gallic Chieftain, Sevenna's Knight, Au revoir and Ladari, that have been among our best recruits. On the breeding front, we maintain strong relationships with Haras des Capucines and Haras d’Etreham, ensuring good results in this area too.”

Tim Wilson points to a string of wins achieved by French imports under First Light Racing.

“Perhaps we've been very lucky, or shrewd with the fillies and mares we've acquired. Our first three recruits brought immediate success to their new owners. Osmose won a Group 3 and was placed several times at Group 2 level, Ha Ha Ha won her third Australian race at Randwick, and Healing Oasis won on her debut at Rosehill.

“We also have a 4-year-old filly, Extraordinaire, that looks very promising,” Wilson continued. “We are therefore particularly satisfied with the results obtained with these French purchases.”

“We bought Osmose for €160,000 (AU$261,100) at ARQANA, and, given her very good results in Australia, her value could easily double or triple if we decide to sell her. As for Ha Ha Ha and Extraordinaire, they both have immense potential. In the months to come, I think Osmose will pass on the torch to them and they will represent our colours at the highest level.”

Louis Le Metayer shares his own highlights from the French racing scene.

“Every year in July and August, the time spent in Deauville and Chantilly inspecting horses and attending the various race meetings gives us the opportunity to identify promising horses for the Australian market.

“Recent acquisitions include two-time Group 1 winner Harlem, two-time Listed winner Pilote d'Essai, Moonee Valley Cup winner Ventura Storm and three-time Stakes winner and Group 1 performer Eliyass. In addition, Elamaz, from the close family of Eliyass, has distinguished himself with four wins and three second places in seven races and seems to have all the qualities of a Group horse.”

As the Autumn Sale catalogue rolls out, another collection of French horses waits to write the next chapter of success on Australasian tracks. With their proven adaptability, longevity, and class, the future of French horses in Australian racing remains as bright as ever.

Quality Abounds

Nearly 300 horses-in-training are catalogued for the 2024 edition of the ARQANA Autumn Sale, that will begin on Monday, November 18. The quality catalogue offers plenty of opportunity for buyers such as Lot 427, Westminister Moon (Ire). The classy colt is multiple times Group-placed over 2000 metres. The 2-year-old son of Sea The Moon (Ger) has a rating of 108.

Lot 425, the black-type Pleaseman (Fr) (Al Wukair {Ire}), ran well for a recent third in a Listed race over 2400 metres. The 4-year-old gelding has a current rating of 104. Other highlight lots to note across this sale include:

Lot 442 - Bibe Mus (Fr) (Camelot {GB} x Jospehine Bettany {GB})

A 2-year-old colt by unbeaten Group 1-winning Champion 2YO Camelot (GB), Bibe Mus (Fr) has begun his career well, winning on his second start over 2000 meters. Bibe Mus hails from the successful family of Reefscape (GB), Coastal Path (GB), Martaline (GB) and Doha Dream (Fr).

Lot 443 - New Look (Fr) (New Bay {GB} x Skysweeper {Fr})

A Listed winner over 2500 metres, the 3-year-old gelding by New Bay (GB) has won his last three outings and has a current rating of 104.

The well-bred colt is a half-brother to three black-type horses including multiple Group 1-placed La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}).

Lot 445 - Flywire (Fr) (Frankel {GB} x Safari Queen {Arg})

The 3-year-old colt of the world-renowned Frankel (GB), Flywire (Fr) hails from the close Wertheimer family of Safari Queen (Arg), Safari Girl (Arg) and Sally Girl (Arg). Flywire himself has built an impressive resume and is Listed-placed over 2400 metres across Good to Soft ground.

Lot 452 - Elbaz (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr} x Elengga {Fr})

Elbaz (Fr) has proved himself nicely already placing second in a Listed race over a mile this season with a current rating of 103. The 3-year-old son of Siyouni (Fr) is out of Elengga (Fr) (Exceed and Excel) from a leading Aga Khan Studs family that includes Classic winner Ervedya (Fr).

Damon Gabbedy, correspondant for ARQANA said “The ARQANA sales represent a great opportunity to acquire proven horses that will go on to shine on Australian tracks, like Stakes winners Mount Popa, Mirann, Hopeful, as well as Group 1 performers such as Arapaho and Eliyass, who have had great success since being imported to Australia.

“French horses adapt particularly well to our racing conditions and can offer an excellent return on investment thanks to the large prizemoney on offer in Australian races. It's a no-brainer!”

For any questions or further information, contact:

Damon Gabbedy – damon@belmontbloostock.com (+61) 408 007 786