Arqana optimistic of hosting breeze-up sale in conventional format

Officials at Arqana feel that it is not "totally unrealistic" for it to be able to stage its breeze-up sale in some physical format in the next couple of months.

Freddy Powell, the director of the French auction house, was asked about the likelihood of following suit with Inglis in adopting an online format to host the event, scheduled for May 8 and 9 in Deauville.

"Obviously it's at the back of our minds but there has been no serious discussion of it so far and there are no concrete plans," Powell said on Wednesday.

"All our concentration and effort at the moment is focused on the sales happening for real, whether that is on the planned date or potentially a little later, depending on what happens in the wider world.

"Our plan A is to stage the sale physically. We have the technology to do it online and have successfully staged such sales for showjumping stock already. But online sales take a lot longer and you have to take many more precautions during the bidding, all of which makes selling more than 50 horses in a day extremely complicated. We have our eyes and ears open and no decision has been taken."

Arqana's Freddy Powell has been in close contact with other sales companies

Powell added that recent government bulletins had provided some optimism during a bleak time.

"We are all still hopeful that racing can restart in a month or a month and a half and so the sale can happen before summer. And I don't think that is a totally unrealistic hope.

"Yesterday the government's scientific committee issued advice to continue the current lockdown until at least April 28 [although no government decision has yet been made] but it's not as if they are saying mid-July.

"I am also greatly struck by the minister of education, Jean-Michel Blanquer - a guy who doesn't speak for the sake of it - who said two or three days ago that he could envisage the schools reopening around May 4.

"You have to say that if children can go back to school, then you can stage a horse sale. For Inglis, with their dates, it's the logical choice, but it is not our preference."

Powell concluded: "If you look at what has happened in neighbouring countries then the virus could reach a peak in France in around ten days before starting to improve. In that context, things might have begun to improve in four or five weeks time.

Eric [Hoyeau, Arqana president] and I have been in contact with our friends and rivals at the other European sales companies to see what is happening with them. It is a very important moment for all of us, and the breeze-up sales have a big impact on the entire industry.

"If those sales go very badly, the vendors won't have money and that will cause a big knock-on for the yearling sales, the covers that are booked for next year, everything."

More on the Coronavirus crisis:

Inglis Easter the first major global sale which will take place online

BHA issues guidance for studs and yards in response to UK lockdown

John Cullinan on what the future may hold for the breeze-up season

ITBF general meeting falls victim to Coronavirus outbreak

Vendors left to make new plans after cancellation of Ascot March Sale