Arqana Racehorse Auctioneers
ARQANA was born in Deauville, France, in August 2006 as the result from a merger between two pre-existing auction houses, on the initiative of a group of investors including His Highness Aga Khan and fine art auctioneer Artcurial. It quickly rose to become the leading racehorse auctioneer in France and the second largest in Europe.
ARQANA holds 18 auctions every year, representing in excess of 5,000 horses, thoroughbreds and stan- darbreds, and bidding aggregate north of €140 million. The August Yearling Sale is the most prestigious of all and causes the leading professionals in the thoroughbred industry to congregate from every corner of the world to the seaside resort on the Normandy coast.
A plethora of champions who earned their place in racing’s history books were acquired at the ARQANA sales, notably including subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victors He´lissio, Subotica and Urban Sea. The latter went on to foal the current Champion sire in Europe, Galileo, and his three-parts brother Sea The Stars, who emulated his dam by winning the ‘Arc’ and is also asserting as a prominent stallion.
A unique "syndicate" programme which brings newcomers together for a five-star introduction to racehorse ownership.
Shares cost 10 to €20,000 and each Racing Club has around 30 shareholders, who jointly own 4 or 5 young thoroughbreds for a 2-year period.
Over the entire duration of the Racing Club, members are invited to bespoke behind-the-scenes experiences in order to get a full grasp of the thoroughbred industry and feel confident to branch out on their own in the future.
A groundbreaking platform to auction top class horses but also stallion shares or breeding rights, with the rule that “one sale = one horse”.
This innovatice service was an instant hit. A first high mark was registered in 2016 when Group 1 performer VEDEVANI was digitally knocked down for €800,000 to a Qatari owner.
That figure was eclipsed in 2018 by a share in leading stallion Siyouni which was snapped up by Haras Voltaire for €960,000.