The Arqana Deauville yearling sale launches Europe’s sales season with a four-day auction between Monday and Thursday.

Arqana will also open its new sales pavilion that has been under construction for two years.  This year’s catalogue of 478 lots represent 114 individual stallions.

Leading sires include Danehill Dancer (18 lots), Galileo (14), King’s Best (12), Montjeu (12), Oasis Dream (8), Dansili (6), Shamardal (6), Dubawi (5) and Pivotal (5).

The 2010 Deauville sale suffered a 17% decrease in average price.  Sales officials said buyers spent less at the top tier 12 months ago and a number of leading players were also absent.