This Q & A is going to make you want to pack your bags and go jump on a plane!.
1/ As the Australian representative for Arqana, you've been a regular at Deauville for many years, so what keeps you going back for the August Yearling Sale (this year August 19 - 21)?
Deauville in summer is fantastic place to be, it's a
gorgeous seaside village an easy two hour train trip from Paris. There are
delicious restaurants, great bars, first class racing and a first class
yearling sale.
Everything is so close in Deauville so you can walk everywhere or grab a bike that is provided by Arqana and ride around the town.
The who's who of the racing world meet and it's a great place to catch up with everyone, socialize and do some business as well in a glorious setting.
There is a travelling incentive provided by FRBC to Aussie buyers and they extend a warm welcome to overseas visitors.
The fact that I’m the Arqana rep and they provide me with a free flight helps a lot as well !!
2/ For a first time visitor, what are the differences between attending and purchasing at this sale and doing the same here at an Australian sale?
In my opinion yearling sales are pretty much the same all over the world. Without stating the obvious the main difference here is that they auction in French but its easy to follow as they have a board displaying the price in several currencies and the auctioneers often switch to English when selling
But you have the same systems and procedures, anxious vendors promoting their yearlings, trainers, agents and buyers playing their cards close to their chests and then vets checking the X rays at a repository which is exactly the same as at Magic Millions and Inglis in Australia.
3/ This sale attracts the biggest yearling buyers in the world, where does it fit into the European yearling sale season in terms of quality?
The Arqana yearling sale is the first yearling sale of the
European season and it sets the bench mark for the other sales for the year.
The quality has increased over the time that I have been attending and is now considered top class, this has been helped by a resurgence in French sires.
Breeders from all over Europe send yearlings to be sold at Arqana in August and it attracts the more mature yearling.
The vibe at the sale is fantastic as the biggest players are usually in attendance. Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan, as wellas the Aga Khan are often on the grounds casting their eyes over the yearlings as are the Coolmore team.
4/ For Australian buyers looking to race their purchase in France, what is the appeal of French racing?
The prizemoney in France is the best in Europe and combined with the lucrative French premium bonus systems makes it very
appealing.
Combined with the fact that Chantilly and its training grounds is the most amazing breathtaking place to have your horse trained it really is horse heaven.
The French form has proven that it is world class and there is great demand for the fillies and mares, while the Hong Kong buyers are always on the look out for quality colts
5/ What do you most look forward to when you arrive back in Deauville?
Is this where I'm supposed to say looking at the horses ?
Sitting down over lunch listening to some stories from the likes of Hubie Du Burgh and Angus Gold, getting stuck into some delicious food and washing it down with the best French Rose.
And it always seems that the more the Rose flows the bigger and more exaggerated the stories get. Funny that !!
The language barrier is no barrier to having the best time of your life!
For more information visit Arqana and contact their Australian representative Damon Gabbedy - Mobile: 0408 007 786 Email: damon@belmontbloodstock.com
