The 2026 edition of the ARQANA yearling sales has closed its doors, leaving particularly notable figures and a new record. Lot 306, a son of Wootton Bassett presented by Écurie des Monceaux, reached 4.6 million euros, becoming the highest price recorded in ARQANA's 20-year history.
The young horse also comes from one of the most renowned families on the international scene. He is a son of a full sister to Scandinavia, a multiple Group 1 winner, and belongs to the maternal line of Giant’s Causeway.
The bidding for lot 306 ended with M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm seeing off Anthony Stroud, representing Godolphin, and securing the purchase for 4,600,000 euros.
The result capped an edition in which million-figure sums played a prominent role. A total of ten yearlings exceeded one million euros, compared to eight in the previous edition, while four of them broke the two million barrier.
Godolphin was one of the major protagonists among the buyers. Anthony Stroud secured six of the ten lots sold for over one million euros and, in total, made nine purchases for a combined amount of 13.3 million euros, placing the organisation at the top of the leading buyers' table.
Among the notable movements was also the return of The Aga Khan Studs to the bidding. Their choice was lot 202, a filly by Erevann, presented by Coulonces and knocked down for 200,000 euros.
Among the vendors, Écurie des Monceaux returned to the top spot with a turnover of 19.97 million euros, maintaining a lead it has held since 2012. Baroda Stud took second position with 5.6 million, while Haras du Cadran was third with 4.725 million.
Among buyers, following the 13.3 million euros invested by Godolphin were M.V. Magnier and White Birch Farm, with 4.6 million, and Sackville Donald, with 2.05 million.
An edition that thus concludes with ten million-dollar yearlings and a new record of 4.6 million euros, a figure that goes down in the history of ARQANA.
