The representatives of owners from Dubai set alight the Arc Sales on Saturday evening. The approach of the Dubai Carnival and the construction of the new Meydan Racecourse have boosted this market. Erwan Charpy and Anthony Stroud, each representing United Arab Emirates interests paid from 120,000 to 370,000 euros for horses ready to run but missed out on the top lot leading filly Eclair de Lune, sold for 250,000 EUR to Narvick International for a client of trainer Ron MacAnally, who attended St. Cloud for the first time and was a first purchase for him at a French Sale.

"She has it all and we went to see her several times. I thought she would be more expensive so we were lucky. We’ll see if we are still saying the same thing next year! Joked the trainer of Northern Spur, ex-Fabre trained and winner of the BC Turf in 1995, and of course the star John Henry. For his part, Emmanuel de Seroux, who also went to see the filly in Deauville, said the California market had become "difficult".

The resident of Yves de Nicolay did not run in the Prix de l'Opera.
Anthony Stroud’s third purchase of the evening, the Wertheimer Allybar (King's Best), cost 370,000 euros. "You'll love him!" warned Carlos Laffon-Parias congratulating the agent of a client in Dubai close to the Al Maktoum family. The same customer paid 120,000 euros for Trois Rois (Hernando) and 150,000 euros for Vesuve (Green Tune). Anthony Stroud also paid 145.000 euros for the winner Café Racer.
Erwan Charpy, one of the best trainers based in Dubai, had hoped to get his hands on Varenar, who he had fallen in love with, but fate willed otherwise. He did however pay 320.000 euro for the very good Topclas (Kutub) after also taking the Francois Rohaut trained Celtic Wolf (Loup Solitaire) for 240.000 euro, the Wertheimer’s Priceless (Mark of Esteem) for 125,000 euros and the Eric Libaud charge Burdlaz (Indian Ridge) for 110,000 Euros .. "These horses will be trained in Dubai for a local client, the trainer said. The programme has evolved towards longer distances and the new surface of Meydan - the Tapeta,  like an all-weather tracks more than dirt - should allow European horses to adapt more easily. In addition, the grass track at Meydan is 2400 metres. "

The sale of the Arc is also often the scene of spectacular buybacks. On this note it must be mentioned that Murcielago (Spinning World) for 230,000 euros, also that Becqu'Adorée (Prime Number) and Absolute Power (Sadler's Wells) for 250,000 euros each, just after that, 160,000 euros for Pointilliste (Giant's Causeway ). "It was not enough”, summed Elie Lellouche, in who’s yard the latter two are based pending their attempts in Sunday’s Prix du Cadran. “It was not far from it, but it was not enough."
Overall, the number of sales (27 of 52, or 52%) was lower than last year (56.4%). The median index, more significant in sucah a small market, however has declined by about 40% to 85,000 euros.