Michael Douglas arriving at the C.I..D theatre, evening of friday 30 August for the opening of the 39th Festival of Cinema Americain. Steven Soderberg’s film Behind the Candleabra with Michael Douglas & Matt Damon was the opening screening. Amazing cameo performance from Rob Lowe, who plays  a coked out plastic surgeon.   American Film Festival ends Sept 8th 2013.                                    Michael Douglas looked well, joked about putting on weight, and was  applauded by a large glamourous crowd of well wishers.

Hotel Magnetburg in beautiful Spa town of Baden Baden, situated in the northern foothills of the Black Forest. Not far from Karlsruhe, and the French border. Baden Baden Yearling race horse sales 30th August 2013

Perspectives, by John Pawson for Swarovski, Gilbert McGarragher. Our Thanks for Image. Palladio’s stunning 16th century Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore. Wallpaper has done a feature on John Pawson focusing the large Swarovski crystal lens in the Basilica, “Perspectives” capturing the magnificent dome interior, during the opening of the 55th Venice Biennale.                                                  Swarovski is currently working to restore the statue of San Giorgio, that lies on top of the church.. This marks the inaugural donation of the newly created Swarovski Foundation.           Is this part of a Branding strategy for Swarovski as they plan to move into the luxury jewellery market ? 

Lot 309. 1959 Dodge Coronet Lancer. Hard top Coupe.Tail fins & cassata ice cream colours for this amazing “Rock Around the Clock & bobby sox” reminder.  No Reserve. Beaulieu Sale Collectors Motor Cars & Automobilia.                                                  Organised by Bonhams 7 September 2013.                     Image Photo Simon Clay.

Hotel Normandy. Deauville. 5 star Lucien Barriere Hotel Normandy, Tea on the terrace.                    Deauville  2 hours by train from Paris Gare St Lazare.

No Nay Never, may  be a future superchampion.  First American bred 2 year old horse to have won a Group 1 race in France, according to Racing Post, by winning the Darley Morny Stakes at Deauville 18/08/2013.                                                        Wesley Ward won the Group 2 Norfolk stakes at Royal Ascot 2013, with No Nay Never.            Wesley Ward has been a regular visitor to Royal Ascot since Strike The Tiger won the Windsor Castle Stakes, in 2009. & Jealous Again won the Queen Mary.                                                          From Keeneland Kentucky, No Nay Never has just flown the Atlantic again.                         Participating in the  Darley Morny Stakes in Deauville, 18/08/2013.Ridden by David Flores. Racing in the navy colours of M.V. Magnier . No Nay Never, by winning the Group One Darley Morny Stakes is the first American bred 2 year old horse to have won a Group  1 race in France. No Nay Never as of 15th August 2013, entirely owned by the Coolmore syndicate of, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, & Derrick Smith. No Nay Never looks like being a very promising 2 year old, still growing in musculature.                                                                     The Atlantic  may be crossed again soon,                        is Qatari Arc de Triomphe on the cards ?         Photo Ice Wine Stables face book page

Christies are inviting consignments until 30/08/13. For their Asia Auction week 5/6 November 2013. Christies May Asia week realised over Sterling £21.million.    Image Christies.

34% cumulated increase in sales for 2013. @ 34.682.000 euros. Arqana Yearling Sales Deauville                                         210.000 euros for Lot 296.Out of Makfi/Auenpearl  bought by Mandore Intl Agency.                         After a keen seance between Michel Zerolo (Oceanic Bloodstock) & Hubert Guy & David Redvers. On this 3rd day, 19/08/2013, of Arqana Deauville Intl Yearling sales, the statistics are better than last year.                                                     The overall top buyers are Peter & Ross Doyle who were buying for Sheik Joaan Al Thani, 7 Yearlings for 2.525.000. euros.                                                     2nd in the overall Buying stakes is John Ferguson acting for Sheik Mohammed Al Maktoum, investing 2.490.000 euros in 8 yearlings.                            Mandore Intl. Agency comes in at 3rd place with 9 Yearligs bought for 2.295.000. euros.           Followed by M.V.Magnier who bought 2 Yearlings, out of Galileo, for 1.000.000. euros apiece.          Top Buyers for the day,19/08/2013 are                              1/ Jean Claude Rouget.                                              2/ STE Entrainement Carlos & Yann Lerner.        3/. Alain Decrion                                                       4/. David Redvers Bloodstock.                                    5/. MAB Agency                                              Top Haras/ Stud farms of the Days sales, 19/08/2013. 1/ Haras du Cadran.                                                  2/ Haras du Mezeray.                                                3/ Haras d’Etreham.                                                  4/Hara de la Louviere.                                              5/ Coulonces Consignment                                    Images.c. APRH.Deauville 19/08/13.Vente Arqana

$.US. 27.500.000.  Record price bid at RM Auctions, downtown Monterey, California. 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB / 4  Spider S.N.A.R.T.                  designed by Scaglietti.                                                                                                               1967 Ferrari Spider 275 GTB,  One of only 10 ever made .                                                                            A red one actually featured in the Steve Mcqueen cult film, “The Thomas Crown Affair”.                  3.2 liter. V12 with 6 Weber carburettors, making 300 horsepower.                                                  Sergio Scaglietti founded his design & coach building works in 1951, in Maranello, opposite Ferrari.                                                                           Carrozzeria Scaglietti is also famous for the Ferrari Testa Rossa  the uber sports car ever.                                                         The Scaglietti works are now owned by Ferrari.                                                       Mr Eddie Smith senior, a self made hosiery millionaire, bought the car for $US 14.500. when new, from Luigi Chinetti, legendary Ferrari importer.  Mr Smith Junior announced that proceeds from the auction of the car will go to charities in Lexington, North Carolina,  and the Smith Family Trust.                                                                     Image & Thanks to David Undercoffler @ The Los Angeles Times. RM Auctions.

Lot 163. An exciting struggle for Australia based Irish Agent, James Harron  to acquire Lot 163, daughter of Dubawi, presented by Coulonces Consignment, for 1.500.000.   euros,           Mandore Intl Agency was the under bidder.                               The second  top price, of the evening, 1.000.000.euro, was attained by Ecuries Monceaux for Lot 99. Michael Magnier, of Coolmore’s, strategy was the winning one as he fought off strong competition from the Agent Davis Redvers. bidding on behalf of Sheik Fahad Al Thani, & who also selects for the Russian Owner, Rashit Shaykhutdinov.                                                            Pascal Bary the French trainer acquired lot 132 for 500.000. euros presented by the Haras de la Reboursiere et le Montaigu. Pascal Bary acquired from the v.successful Ecuries Monceaux Lot 101,for 400.000. euros.                                                          Sheikh Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s ,Equipe, Al Shania, were installed in the restaurant with the French Agent Thierry Delegue (YES)                               Arqana continued its succesful sales with a 73% of horses bought. Net progression on last year’s trends with a 35% increase on average prices.         Buyers from Dubai, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Kazakhstan, S.Africa, Australia, Japon, Ireland, UK, USA, Latin America.                                   18/08/13 TOP 5 BUYERS:-                                James Harron Bloodstock 1 Lot 1.500.000.euro Michale Vincent Magnier  1 Lot 1.000.000.euro Pascal Bary 2 Lots 900.000 euro                         John Ferguson Bloodstock 3 Lots. 840.000 euro Mandore Intl Agency 3 Lots 780.000 euro.      Cumulated figures for top 5 sales :-                  Ecuries des Monceaux 13 Lots. 4,320.000.euro Hara des Capucines 12 Lots. 3.210.000.euro   Coulonces Consignment 11 Lots 3.135.000. euro Haras du Mezeray 9 Lots 2.605.000. euro      Ballylinch Stud 4 Lots 1.560.000. euro             Image ARQANA Ventes Deauville. Yearlings 2013.  Dubawi / Hit the Sky. Presented by Coulonces Consignment. Bought by James Harron Bloodstock. Australia.

14.091.000. euros , a 50% rise on 2012 first evening auction figure,  at the Yearling sales 2013 opening. For the 1st evening of the Deauville Intl Yearling race horse auctions organised   by ARQANA 6 Lots went for 600.000 euros.11  Lots for 400.000, & 22 Lots over 200.000 euros. 75% of the Lots offered were sold. Amazingly, 2 yearlings realised 1 million euros. Lot 14 presented by the Irish Ballylinch Stud was bought by the Agents Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock. And after a tussle David Redvers was the highest bidder for Lot 33, presented by Ecuries Monceaux,  on behalf of  M.V Magnier & Coolmore. Lot 33 being the 3/4 sister of Chiquita.             The top 5 buyers were Peter & Ross Doyle 4 Lots, for 2.340.000 euros                     John Ferguson Bloodstock 5 Lots for 1.650.000. euros                                   Mandore Intl Agency 3 Lots for 1.210.000. euros                                   Michael Vincent Magnier 2 Lots for 1.150.000. euros                                    Oceanic Bloodstock INC 3 Lots for 780.000. euros.                                   The top sellers were                             Ecuries Monceaux 10 Lots for 2.710.000 euros                              Haras des Capucines 10 Lots for 2.610.000. euros.                                Ballylinch Stud 1 Lot 1.000.000.euro Haras du Mezeray 2 Lots for 940.000. euros.                                     Haras d’Etreham 6 Lots for 905.000. euros.                                                     We note that Badgers Bloodstock acquired Lot 93 from Oaks Farm Stables, paying 128.000. euros, on behalf of the Russian Owner, Alexander Nezhenets.                 Badgers Bloodstock bought Chiquita for 600.000 euros, @ Yearlings 2011 for Australian owner Paul Makin                                     Chiquita has just won the Irish Oaks & came second at the Prix de Diane. See previous postings.

Racing Post, Wetherbys & the Deauville Hotel Royal Barriere hosted an anniversary lunch buffet for their Racing guests. A swank crowd for sushi, foie gras & delicious desserts. Afterwards everyone walked over to the race course for an afternoon’s racing, @ Touques racecourse, followed by the Yearling sales, within walking distance, just round the corner, on ave. Hocquart de Turtot.

A fun BBQ with a Latin American theme  & entertained by Polo match,  & music, was an event organised by Arqana, in association with Bentley motorcars, & Lucien Barriere Polo Cup. Laurent Dassault’s team were the winners. A cosmopolitan crowd of Breeders, Trainers, Owners mingled before the Yearling sales .commenced.

Chiquita winning the emblematic race, the Darley Irish Oaks. With famous Irish jockey aboard, Johnny Murtagh, @ The Curragh. 20/07/13. Photo Patrick McCann. This result offers her owner  Australian,Paul Makin a magnificent win. Chiquita, daughter of Montjeu & Prudenzia, was bought by Badgers Bloodstock for 600.000. euros , from Ecuries Monceaux, at the Deauville Intl Yearling sales 2011, organised by Arqana.                   This win represents the 4 th Classic Race win by the Arqana Yearlings. As,Style Vendome & Flotilla, from Arqana  Yearling sales  were successful at Longchamps  race course, “Poules d’Essai”.      Treve bought at the October  2011 Yearling sales realised the immense exploit of winning the ultra chic Prix de Diane Longines.                                  The brothers & sisters of these young  Racing Champions feature in the Arqana catalogue for the Deauville Intl Yearling sales, 2013.                      LOT 33 HALF SISTER TO CHIQUITA par GALILEO, presented by Ecuries Monceaux is expected to sell for a record price.                        LOT 30, half brother  by KENDARGENT/STYLE VENDOME, presented by the Haras de Colleville. LOT 185 half sister de FLOTILLA by HIGH CHAPARRAL, presented by the Haras des Capucines. Related to Chiquita.           SINNAMARY, Ecurie Monceaux,  the sister of CHIQUITA, was sold in 2012 for 1.100.000 euros at the ARQANA Deauville Intl Yearling sales in 2012. The Marquise de Moratalla bought SINNAMARY, FOR THE 2ND TOP PRICE OF THE SALE.  & Before it was realised that CHIQUITA was a great,if unwieldy, racer.                    CHIQUITA has immense personality & potential.

Chiquita 2nd in the Prix de Diane Longines. 16/06/13. image copyright APRH Chantilly. Hamelin Antoine.  Chiquita bought by Badgers Bloodstock, on behalf of  Paul Makin, August 2011 at the Deauville Yearling sales,organised by ARQANA, & presented by the wealthy Ecuries Monceaux.                               Arqana is the leading race horse auction house in France, & the second player in Europe. Arqana formed in 2006, when Agence Francaise de Vente de Pur Sang  fusioned with Goffs.  Arqana was formed.                                                                      Son Altesse the Aga Khan, a noted race horse breeder, is a majority shareholder in Arqana,.     As is Artcurial, the auction house, amongst whose share holders are the powerful industrial group, Groupe Dassault.

A young future race horse, a Yearling being paraded in front of prospective buyers. The Deauville Intl Yearling Auctions are organised by Arqana.  The site is very well organised with stables for the Ecuries showing, & also for the prospective Buyers, with a comfortable Business centre with free WIFI access. All the horse events take place at venues  within a few minutes  walking of each other. The Horse Racing, the Polo, the Yearling Auctions. The race course was built, by the Duc de Morny, in the 1862 , in the centre of Deauville, it has remained a focal point of the town within walking distance of the main hotels, restaurants & beach.

Coupe d’Or Deauville Polo match.  A few minutes from the sea in Deauville.  Tuesday 13/08/13. Talandracas  / Body Minute. A sensationally exciting match.  Talandracas 2/3.  2/4.  6/5.  9/8.  11/10.  13/13.  14/13.  Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup 2013. Images copyright R&B Presse. Pascal Renauldon.

Ecuries Monceaux very busy showing to prospective buyers of the  young future race horses, pre Intl Yearling auctions 17/18/19 August 2013. Deauville Yearling sales organised by Arqana.

Bentley Motorcars may have only just introduced the fabulous new continental model Flying Spur, but the Owner’s car parks at the Deauville race courses are already familiar places to admire them.                                                                   Arqana who organises the Intl Yearling sales  are giving a party on friday evening, as joint hosts with Bentley.                                                         “Have cheque book “Vintage  Mulliner lovers ” will  drive”………………Used to own a Mulliner S3.             We would suggest  that the drive from Deauville to  the charming port Honfleur  is one of the prettiest in Normandy. & the drive to the Port of Le Havre takes you over the sensational, recently constructed Normandy Bridge.

Dreamkeeper.                                                             Bought at the 2012 Deauville Intl Yearling Sales for 350.000 euros by Badgers Blood Stock for Alexander Negenetz (Agrafirma Progress). Ecuries Monceau will be presenting his sister for auction on sat 17th August 2013, LOT No.18.  Dreamkeeper propulsed himself to the leading place for his generation of 2 yr olds in Russia, by winning the Krasnodar Region Stakes in Russia. Dreamkeeper out of Galileo & Naissance Royale. Also related to Men Dont Cry, & Giants Causeway. Our Thanks to Arqana for the images. Arqana organises the Deauville Intl Yearling sales

DREAMKEEPER.                                                Bought for 350.000 euro at last year’s Yearling sales Dreamkeeper son of Galileo & Naissance Royale, never has a horse been so talked about in Russia. A certain race winner. By winning the Krasnodar Region Stakes he established he propulsed himself to the summit of his 2 yr old generation. Bought by Badgers Bloodstock for Alexander Negenetz (Agrofirma Progress) His sister, will be presented  by Monceaux Ecuries Lot no.18, to be auctionned on sat 17 August 2013. At the Intl Deauville Yearling Sales.  Dreamkeepr also related to Men Don’t Cry, & Giants Causeway.   Our thanks to Arqana for the images. Arqana organises the Deauville Intl Yearling sales for young race horses.

View of the sunlit  golden beaches stretching to the sea,white sails,  &, in the distance, the view of the Estuary of the Seine & the port of  Le Havre. Typical colourful Deauville Parasols. Deauville resort, 2hours by train from Paris Saint Lazare station.

Polo Coupe d’Or Deauville 13/08/13. Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup.                    Talandracas playing against Body Minute.  TALANDRACAS 2/3. 2/4. 6/5. 9/8. 11/10. 13/13. 14/13.  Images copyright R&B Presse. Pascal Renauldon  Deauville is a delightful seaside resort 2hours by train from Paris Saint Lazare station.

Deauville seaside resort. Typical Normand Villa  “a colombages”. (with wooden beams) Prices per sq metre compare to Parisian prices, & Deauville is known as the 21st Arrondissement as it is so popular with Parisians. 2hours by train from Paris Gare St Lazare.

Ralph Lauren boutique opposite the Casino in Deauville, Normandy France. Set in one of the most attractive luxury shopping areas in Europe.Ralph Lauren whose brand is synonymous with “Polo”. A typical normandy beamed building decorated with hanging baskets of geraniums and traditional ceramic animals on the roof.

63rd Coupe d’Or Deauville Polo Championships.11/08/13. Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup.                                            Deauville a chic seaside resort in Normandy France, a 2 hour train journey from Paris Saint Lazare train station.Who can beat Murus Sanctus & Facunda Sola ? Murus Sanctus 2/2. 5/3. 7/5. 9/8. 14/10.  Images copyright/ R&B PRESSE. Pascal Renauldon

63rd Coupe d’Or Deauville Polo Championships 11th August 2013. Deauville, a chic seaside resort in Normandy France, a 2 hour train journey from Paris Saint Lazare train station. An extremely exciting match. Who can beat Murus Sanctus & Facunda Sola ? Murus Sanctus 2/2. 5/3. 7/5. 9/8. 14/10.  Images copyright/ R&B Presse. Pascal Renauldon

63rd Coupe d’Or Deauville Polo Cup. Sunday 11 August 2013.                                                        Murus Sanctus 2/2. 5/3. 7/5. 9/8. 14/10. Who can beat Facunda Sola & Murus Sanctus  ? Images copyright / R&B Presse. Pascal Renauldon

Pete Ellis international Globetrotter follows horse racing across the World, & is recognised as one of horse racing’s foremost Intl Form Analysts. A chief Correspondent for TAB Radio, acclaimed as Australia’s greatest racing radio station. He covers the big races from Melbourne to Kentucky to Saratoga to Arlington to Ascot  to Paris Arc de Triomphe  to Dubai,  where ever. The racing and the race horses are international now. Pete Ellis mentioned that in last year’s  Melbourne Cup he reckons that  17 out of the 24 runners were  European bred.  For a population of 23 million the Australian horse racing prize money probably ranks 2 or 3 in World rankings.  Employment generated by the Australian  horse racing industry makes it the  3rd  largest employer. Pete Ellis told me that the money coming into the Racing prize money had increased substantially since the interest of the Maydan Corp in Dubai. The  prize money offered in the Dubai races had catapulted Dubai into the arena as a major player in the  horse racing industry. The Dubai World Cup being the World’s richest race. Consequently the World’s best & most expensive horses are racing in Dubai.  It would seem that the Chinese are studying the Dubai template to see if it would transfer successfully to China. The Chinese are also talking to the French Horse racing & betting industry, to see if there could be a model for China.  For the Chinese there is the question of having so many people re-united at a race course, with social media so prevalent, this could lead to unwanted consequences.  Pete Ellis discussed the technology issues that the Chinese would be considering. The hand held devices today mean that a punter can down load info on a horse race anywhere , & place a bet electronically with a debit card. As a trans-frontier sport even people outside China might be able to bet on races in China. There is a lot of gambling in Hong Kong where there are 2 famous race courses.   As a % of Sports betting the racing % is diminishing. Racing is in decline in Ireland & the UK. But in France there are incentives for French bred horses that win races……………..           Pete Ellis is  correspondent for Radio Tab Australia

In the International world of top class horse racing the family dynasty of the HEADs is syonymous with elite. Famous for the top class  races won on the Turf. Exceptionally we have been been given a tour of their 300 hectare park, full of ancient trees & meadows for grazing. and met some of their 300 horses, stallions,mares, yearlings & foals, currently stabled. Horse racing & breeding is big business. 40 lads. From Conception to Sales Ring a Yearling will have cost about 15.000 euros, not counting the price of the saillie by the Stallion.  After the Yearling is bought, the horse goes for training to become a racehorse.  Cost approx 2500 per month, not including the Vet costs. The horses are as intl as their owners moving between different countries , UK, Ireland etc, as the new Yearlings are produced. French breeders are keen for the mares to give birth in France as there are substantial financial supplementary benefits to the Owners & Breeders when their horses win in France. A brief list of Le Quesnay Haras Yearlings going for Auction on the Posting that follows. Our very special thanks to the Director of the Haras who took time from his busy schedule to give us a tour of the Haras Le  Quesnay,owned by the Head Family since 1958, a magical  summer’s afternoon. As I would say to my husband, Marc,     “A PERFECT DAY cheri” copyright special feature Haras Le Quesnay, objects2desire.com

Le Quesnay Haras, Pays d’Auge, Normandy. A young horse full of health & vitality, “Treasure”,  in front of the stables, cosseted & bathed. Preparing to be shown at the Deauville International Yearling Auctions, for future race horses. 17/18/19/ August 2013. Le Quesnay Haras Yearlings going for Auction include:- no 76. SEA THE STARS/SUDARYNYA. No.133. Mr Sidney/Dissertation. No.157. Dalakhani/Gadalka. No,168.Sea the Stars/Jakonda. No.224. Elusive City/Peach Melba. No.232. Azamour/Princess Roseburg. No.252. Tamayuz/Savoie.No.268.Rail link/Symba’s Dream. No.276.Mr Sidney/Treasure. No.227.Mr Siney/Treasure Queen. No.301.Rock of Gibraltar/Blanche. No.334.Mr Sidney/Funny Feerie

Le Quesnay Haras, Pays d’Auge, in Normandy. A Bay,  “Treasure”, after being cosseted, & bathed, waiting patiently to be presented at the Auctions for future race horses, the Deauville International Yearling Sales. 17/18/19/ August 2013.

Le Quesnay Haras, in Pays d’Auge, Normandy. The roan “Gadalka” quite happy as preparations continue for the future race horses presentation at the Deauville International Yearling Auctions, 17/18/19 August 2013.

Le Quesnay Haras,  Pays d’Auge, in Normandy.  “Dissertation” a gleaming chestnut, getting ready to be presented at the famous Deauville International Auctions for future race horses, the Yearling sales. Deauville 17/18/19 August 2013.

Le Quesnay Haras, Normandy. The Yearlings coming in from their exercise.

Haras le Quesnay, Normandy. The local farrier comes out to shoe the Yearlings before next week’s sales.

Haras Le Quesnay. Normandy. La Toilette .Horse’s face being washed.The horses are cared for like babies.

Haras le Quesnay, Normandy. Mares sharing their stables with their 4 month old foals.

Le Quesnay Haras, Normandy. Charming mare & foal, about 4 months old in the stable they share.

Le Quesnay Hara, Normandy. Yearlings coming in from exercise. The future race horses are exercised every day, forming their muscles so that they are in good form when they are sold at about 18 months old.

Le Quesnay Hara, Normandy. A grazing meadow.

Le Quesnay Hara, Normandy. Foals in meadow.

Le Quesnay Hara Normandy

Deauville Plage colourful Parasols. Deauville seaside resort 2 hours by train from Paris Gare St Lazare station.

Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup, exciting matches  every day during August, with some of the World’s most popular Teams competing.            images copyright                                    R&B Presse./P.Renauldon

Deauville, seaside resort 2 hours by train from Paris St Lazare station. Typical Normandy villa. Deauville is on the the English Channel, La Manche, it is a resort that is popular all year round, and has a very elegant Belle Epoque Gaming Casino.

Deauville, charming Normandy, in France,  seaside resort, on the English channel . 2 hours by train from Paris St Lazare station. A typical  Normandy villa shown here

Deauville Market. Local Farmers from the region come with fresh produce every day in August.

Deauville. Bracing seaside resort on the English Channel.  Hotel Normandy. 2 hours by train from Paris, Gare St Lazare. Deauville is a pretty town full of “Belle Epoque” villas. The Hotel Normandy in Deauville is open all year round. The Sunday  Buffet Brunch @80 euros per person is a popular rdv. Many sporting activities Horse racing,golf, horse riding,tennis, swimming. Many Boutiques for luxury shopping.

All the excitement of the chase. Several Polo Matches every week during August. Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup 2013.  Images C/ R&B Presse/P.Renauldon

Summer season de Lucien Barriere Deauville Polo Cup 2013 opens. Several Teams are competing for maximum sporting fun. Images c/R&B Presse/P.Renauldon