Arqana is the most prestigious thoroughbred sales company in France with clients worldwide. Nicola Kent was taken on as an intern through a programme to celebrate the milennium for international people to work in France. On completing the programme, she became the official Arqana Irish representative.

“I assist Irish customers who would like to travel to Arqana to buy or sell horses or purchase thoroughbreds remotely,” explains Nicola.

“I help get all the information and assistance they require to make those purchases. That involves work such as following and documenting the Arqana sales horses’ successes and also sourcing new buyers.”

Although based in Cork, Nicola travels to Deauville for most of the sales.

“There are eight sales held annually in Deauville and some other sales held remotely. For example, in Paris before major race meetings: we also manage a collection of online sales.”

I assist Irish customers who would like to travel to Arqana to buy or sell horses or purchase thoroughbreds remotely

As well as having the bonus of myriad beautiful thoroughbreds to inspect, Nicola also appreciates her time in France.

“Arqana is based in the very unique and beautiful town of Deauville in Normandy. The town is the most beautiful historic French seaside resort, and it has a lot to offer as a destination with top-class restaurants, shopping and the beach, along with all the major races in the summer and a great mix of flat and national hunt sales.”

Highlights

Nicola recounts the most beautiful animal she ever saw go through the ring: Fil d’Or was bred and sold by the Devin family of Haras du Mesnil in Normady. They stand the wonderful Irish-bred stallion Doctor Dino. “Fil d’Or was a gorgeous horse, and he has already done a considerable amount at four years old, but I feel he will be a horse for many seasons ahead.

“Epsom Derby winner Wings of Eagles – whose broodmare sire Kendor is one of my favourites – was an impressive yearling when he passed through the ring in August 2021. Sottsass is another who turned heads and, of course, Chiquita.”

Know your market, make sure your horse will be in demand: don’t over-face them

To put it into context, these incredible horses Nicola sees go through the sales ring can go on to do world-class things. For example, Chiquita is an Irish Thoroughbred initially trained in France; after finishing third in her only race as a two-year-old in 2012, she fell on her three-year-old debut but proved herself a top-class filly by finishing second in the Prix de Diane and then winning the Irish Oaks.

Sottsass is a French thoroughbred ran only nine times and won five races, including three at the highest Group 1 level. He then won the Prix Ganay before concluding his career by winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Outstanding moments

Working for Arqana has offered Nicola some incredibly memorable moments, including pinhooking a filly by Camacho in the December sale. The principal risk when buying a racehorse is that the horse does not run very fast once on the track. With pinhooking, you remove that risk because you buy the horse and then sell it before it has raced.

Nicola bought the Camacho filly for €12,000 and sold her for €130,000 at the following October sales. She turned out to be a very good race filly, finishing second in the Prix d’ Aumale before going to the US.

Advice

In France, Nicola doesn’t get hands-on with the stock; her job is to inspect them. However, in Ireland, it’s full-on hands-on. Combining her sales talent and practical horse skills is at the heart of what Nicola does in her life and she recommends gathering experience if you want to pursue a job in the bloodstock industry.

“Travel and work in as many different aspects of this global industry as you can. Work with the best people you can. Connections matter; knowledge and practical experience are great assets. Remember also that every day is a school day. When it comes to horses, you are always learning and gaining further knowledge.”

And what about those who have horses to bring to the sales, what does Nicola advise?

“Know your market, make sure your horse will be in demand: don’t over-face them.

“Selling Irish horses in France is very specific. The Breeze Up guys know their markets and their horses, and they work the Arqana Breeze-Up sale very well, as do our clients who sell yearlings and foals in Deauville.”