AUCTAV: A story of passion, innovation and tradition
With a legacy spanning over two centuries, the world of horse racing has continuously evolved, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity. AUCTAV stands as a testament to this perpetual innovation, leading the charge in an industry that has traditionally been slow to embrace the digital age.
Catalyzing Change: AUCTAV's Inception Amidst Crisis
AUCTAV emerged to revolutionize the landscape of horse racing auctions. Its journey commenced in 2020 when Louis Baudron and Arnaud Angéliaume identified the imperative to infuse digital innovations into a traditionally entrenched system. The 2020 lockdown acted as a catalyst, compelling breeders, owners, and trainers to embrace existing tools and explore novel solutions.
In 2021, AUCTAV emerged as a trailblazing online sales agency, digitizing registrations, veterinary file consultations, media access, and auctions. Its inaugural sale, held on March 31st, presented 10 lots, with 7 successfully sold, unequivocally validating the concept.
Louis Baudron and Arnaud Angéliaume, complementary in business
Louis Baudron inherited an exceptional legacy from two grandfathers who left an indelible mark on horseracing history: Roger Baudron and Jean-Pierre Dubois. Beyond this prestigious heritage, they instilled in him fundamental values such as audacity, hard work and curiosity.
Winner of 5 G1s as a driver and 7 as a trainer - including the prestigious Prix du Cornulier in 2013, Louis Baudron enriched his skills and knowledge when travelling the world and drew innovative ideas.
AUCTAV’s CEO Arnaud Angéliaume brings his expertise as a former trainer-driver and working for five years in an auction house. His unique experience allows him to combine in-depth knowledge of horses with exceptional commercial know-how.
More simplicity and fluidity in transactions
AUCTAV's mission is to modernize, optimize and streamline horseracing auction market while preserving its traditional values. Sales are numerous through Europe and offering online platforms simplifies work of both vendors and buyers. Vendors benefit from easy and direct access to the sales while saving time - and therefore money - by avoiding transport of one or more horses, as well as personnel. Buyers can bid from anywhere in the world, a perfect option in an extremely globalized horseracing industry, especially for the Purebred Arabian horses. And if they want to see physically a horse, they can work with a bloodstock agent or a veterinarian located nearby.
At a time when equine welfare is a top priority, these online sales are a real asset and even a sanitary guarantee by avoiding contact between horses, especially broodmares and young foals.
AUCTAV seamlessly merges the adaptability of online operations with innovative approaches in physical sales, delivering a unique experience to each client.
Streamlined and Targeted Sales: AUCTAV's Flash Sales
Through its creation of Flash Sales, AUCTAV provides the quickest avenue to launch sales among existing horse racing agencies. Within days, high-performing horses or siblings to exceptional horses can be introduced to the market, amplifying media exposure and attracting discerning buyers seeking elite acquisitions.
On-site sales that have already made history
Since its inaugural sale in March 2021, AUCTAV has experienced continuous growth. Expanding its reach, the company has ventured into organizing on-site sales at Haras des Rouges Terres and, since 2023, has established a presence at the prestigious and historically significant Normandy-based stud, Haras de Bois Roussel. Nestled within this historic site, boasting a hundred boxes, AUCTAV has perpetuated its iconic Rouges Terres sale and National-Hunt sale. Additionally, AUCTAV has introduced two new sales, one dedicated to flat racing and another for trotting yearlings. The latter, launched in 2023, achieved a milestone by setting the European record for a yearling at public auction, with a brother to champion Face Time Bourbon fetching €580,000.
Furthermore, Haras de Bois Roussel serves as an exquisite venue for private events such as weddings and product presentations.
AUCTAVArt dedicated to art
Haras de Bois Roussel has also provided the platform for the inception of AUCTAVArt, a specialized branch of AUCTAV dedicated to the sale of art objects. The initial auctions garnered significant success, whether conducted exclusively on the Drouot Live website or in-person at Haras de Bois Roussel. The venue features an exhibition hall within one of the wings of the historical stud, offering visitors a captivating visualization of art objects in a distinctive setting.
Auctav's Custom Sales
Monthly Sale
Organized multiple times throughout the year, these sales showcase a wide variety of lots across all disciplines. They are the most open sales in the catalogue.
Rouges Terres Sale
Created at the initiative of Louis Baudron, breeder, owner, and trainer at Haras des Rouges Terres, the Rouges Terres Sale features lots primarily from the breeding operations of the Dubois and Baudron families.
AUCTAV Arabian Sales
Held in summer and autumn, these two sales offer new commercial opportunities for the highly international market of Arabians, in which France is a leader in breeding and training.
Flash Sale
Focused on one or more exceptional lots, the Flash Sale is organized within a few days following a horse's sporting performance. It benefits from increased media coverage.
Trotting Yearlings Selected Sale
This sale created a sensation from its inception in 2023 by achieving the European record for this category with a bid of €580,000 for Machiavel Bourbon, a brother to the champion Face Time Bourbon.
National Hunt Sale
Building on its successes, Auctav has created a strong sale centered around the NH discipline, offering young horses and training elements for the European market.
Winter Breeding Sale
Stallion shares, breeding rights, selected stallions, and broodmares—the Winter Breeding Sale is ideally positioned at the end of the year to prepare for the next season.
Flat Sale
Initially welcoming diverse lots from the flat racing discipline, the Flat Sale will now focus on yearlings.
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