Arqana joins with French pre-trainer David Lumet for new jumps auction

Arqana has formed a partnership with National Hunt pre-trainer David Lumet, based near Angers in the west of France.

Lumet has held a public presentation of 50 to 60 two and three-year-old future jumpers every year since 2013.

The horses are placed under his care by local breeders to be pre-trained and sold on. Several high-class jumpers have been bought privately after showcasing their fledgling talent at these shows, led by Burn Out, a graduate of the 2015 renewal who has gone on to win at Listed level over fences at Auteuil and achieve several places at Graded level.

For the first time this year, Lumet's show will be held in partnership with Arqana and all horses will go under the hammer after being put through their paces in front of the public.

The event will take place at David Lumet's Ecuries de la Ridaudière on Sunday, July 1, with the schooling session running from 10am to 1pm and the auction starting at 3pm. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the premises, as well as a celebratory barbecue to round off the day.

The catalogue will be released in early June and comprise 50 to 60 young National Hunt horses owned by Ecuries de la Ridaudière or its regular clients. Sales conditions will be the same as at all Arqana auctions.

David Lumet expressed his delight at the prospect of working with Arqana.

"For the past five years, our show had taken the original approach to promote private deals between breeders and buyers. A survey with a large number of our clients revealed that private trade was reaching its limits and it was time to step up in gear and switch to a public auction.

“Arqana immediately agreed to embark on this new venture with us and I want to thank Eric Hoyeau and his team for their support and enthusiasm. We hope to welcome a large public for the launch of this new formula."

Arqana CEO Eric Hoyeau added: "We're thrilled to be partnering with David Lumet in bringing his popular show up to another level.

“The show has built its success on the quality of the facilities, the know-how and the horses, which are all in pre-training with David and have never set foot in a racing yard.

“The move towards a public auction makes logical sense as part of David's quest to boost transparency and trade, for the benefit of vendors and buyers alike.

“This new sale will work in synergy with our Summer Sale, held two days later in Deauville, thus allowing foreign visitors to make the most of their trip to France. Both events should complement each other and contribute to boost the French market for jumpers."

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