The final session of the Arqana October Yearling Sale concluded Oct. 25, and the five-session sale finished with across-the-board declines in total sales, average price, and median, bucking trends seen at many yearling sales across the world in 2025.
Over the five days, 763 yearlings were offered under the hammer, and 600 sold through the ring for a 79% clearance rate, representing a 4-point drop compared to 2024. The average price was €42,333 (US$49,210, €1=US$1.16), a 12% decline from last year. Seventeen horses sold for €200,000 or more. Median dropped 19% to €23,000 (US$26,736).
After 26 post-ring sales were added to the number sold, total turnover finished at €26,421,000 (US$30,713,091), a 10% drop from the corresponding figure last year.
Sumbe purchased the sale topper at the sale's opening session, going to €450,000 for a Night of Thunder colt from Windermere Stud's consignment. The colt was bred in France by Al Shaqab Racing and is out of the stakes-winning Deep Impact mare Katara.
Second-highest price was produced by a colt by the recently deceased Wootton Bassett that sold for €400,000 to Mandore International Agency, on behalf of M.V. Magnier. The colt out of the stakes-winning Shamardal mare Shamtee was bred in England by consignor Haras du Mont Dit Mont.
Following the sale, Olivier Delloye, president of Arqana, and Freddy Powell, CEO, commented: "The results of this October Sale, although showing a decline, demonstrate the true resilience of the yearling market in an environment that is less buoyant than last year. The total turnover once again exceeded €26 million, the level reached two years ago; while the average of €42,333 and the median of €23,000, although down on 2024, remained at levels very comparable to previous years.
"Major players from the August Sale were once again present in October: Sumbe, Coolmore, Al Shira'aa Racing, and Godolphin secured the four top prices during the first part of the sale. France, Spain, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia also featured prominently among the buyers.
"Nevertheless, the market proved to be highly selective: the drop in the percentage of horses sold, below 80% for the first time since 2020, illustrates this and invites us to question the size of the October Sale's offering, given that the most dynamic sales in Europe this year are those that have significantly reduced their catalogs.
"Over the entire yearling sales season—August, v.2, and October combined—the auction volume exceeded €90 million this year, nearly €5 million more than last year's record."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
