About ArqanaAbout Arqana

Auction sales

Thoroughbred auction sales are an integral part of Deauville's identity. Indeed, they have been held there since 20 August 1887, on which date 20 horses were offered for sale. This initiative was the project of Gustave Lyon, whose father-in-law created the sales complex named « Chéri » where the first sales were held. In 1892, Lyon bought the plot of land between avenue Hocquart de Turtot and rue du Coteau (now named rue Florian de Kergorlay) at the same spot where the current Elie de Brignac sales complex, now owned by ARQANA, is situated today. In the spring of 1968, the Agence Française de Vente de Pur Sang was formed with a focus on the sale of yearlings. Philippe Augier and Elie de Brignac team up in 1977, injecting a wave of professionalism, giving birth to a period of euphoric growth without precedent.  At the same time, their competitors Office du Pur Sang, based at Saint-Cloud and absorbed by Goffs France in 1979, also has its hour of glory thanks to the Arc sale.

ARQANA is born

In August 2006, ARQANA was created as the result of the merger between Agence Française de Vente de Pur Sang andGoffs France, on the initiative of several investors including His Highness Aga Khan. Its added value lies in its ability to select a quality offer, to organize sales in first class facilities and to offer guarantees to buyers and vendors. ARQANA has rapidly established itself as a leading sales aegncy, currently in second place at European level.  

ARQANA offers sales for both the galloping and trotting disciplines through its subsidiary ARQANA Trot. In total, eighteen sales are held each year, which represents over 5,000 horses offered and a turnover about 160 million euros. ARQANA sales take place throughout the year in both its sales complex - the Elie de Brignac complex in Deauville and the Manège Boussac at Saint-Cloud racecourse. The August Yearling Sale which offers the cream of thoroughbred breeding in Deauville is the most prestigious sale of the year and attracts professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world. Moreover, Deauville has been the stage for the sale of champion racehorses which have made international racing history, winning great races such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. These include Hélissio, Subotica and the great Urban Sea, dam of current leading European sire Galileo and six time Group 1 winning sire Sea The Stars.

Renovation in 2011

In 2011, following two years of extensive refurbishment, the Deauville sales complex has been revamped. Inaugurated in August 2011, this quality complex now offers the highest level of comfort for both professionals and horses in a modern and cutting edge setting.

Innovations

In 2013, ARQANA kept up with its innovation policy by launching ARQANA Racing Club. The aim of these syndicates is to attract new owners and offer them a complete and unique experience of the racing world. The first syndicate named Vendôme Racing Club was created in the last quarter of 2013, and a new one was launched every year until 2016. Now dissolved, each of these syndicates brought together 30 to 40 shareholders, co-owners of several horses bought at the Deauville sales. As this form of co-ownership has grown in France, ARQANA did not renew any syndicates in 2017 and is now positioned as a relay to existing stables. More info at www.arqanaracingclub.com.

In 2015, further ground was broken with the creation of ARQANA Online, a digital platform aimed at showcasing high-class individuals according to the principle one sale = one horse. The innovative tool proved an instant success and the highest price currently stands at €800,000 for the Aga Khan Studs' VEDEVANI, who was knocked down to a Qatari owner. Gradually, the platform has also welcomed the sale of stallion shares as well as star stallion covers. For example, a share of the Aga Khan Studs' flagship stallion SIYOUNI sold for €960,000 in 2018. 

In 2020, the platform is evolving to offer the possibility of organising several types of sales. In parallel to the "one sale = one horse" model, sales bringing together recent performers are put up for sale simultaneously over a given period. Finally, ARQANA Online is also becoming an online bidding platform that allows you to follow a sale organised physically in Deauville and to bid online in real time.


More details on www.arqanaonline.com.

ARQANA, Great Builder Patron of Les Franciscaines

On 11 October 2019, the City of Deauville and ARQANA became patrons of Les Franciscaines to help contribute to the creation of an innovative cultural facility.

This former orphanage and place of worship, built in the 19th century by the Franciscaines nuns, now shelters a museum, an auditorium, temporary exhibitions, as well as reading and documentation areas structured around themes dear to Deauville.

As a Great Builder Patron, ARQANA is primarily associated with the Univers Cheval which comprises the largest equine documentary collection in France – thus representing the reference centre of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. The public will be able to discover the history, the culture and the aesthetics of the horse as well as the sporting and economic activities it generates.

The architectural audacity of Les Franciscaines, its objectives of transmitting knowledge and its capacity to host numerous events make it one of the key figures of culture in Deauville. ARQANA is proud to be able to show its commitment to the community environment.

Visit Les Franciscaines Deauville