OLIVIER Delloye will succeed Eric Hoyeau as chief executive of Arqana at the beginning of 2024. Delloye was managing director of the Deauville-based sales company from 2006 to 2016,

Hoyeau will continue to act as senior advisor to Arqana Holding’s board of directors. The new governance structure also includes the appointment of the current executive director Freddy Powell as Arqana’s managing director. He will sit on the management team alongside Delloye, and his remit will specifically include growing Arqana’s international development.

Delloye and Powell will be joined on the management team by Ludovic Cornuel (bloodstock manager), Arthur Serres (sales administration manager), Sylvain Gosselin (finance manager) and Agathe Capdepon (marketing & communication manager).

Arqana was formed in 2006 under the leadership of the Aga Khan, fine art auction house Artcurial and a group of thoroughbred breeders.

This current change in governance is the first of its kind since the company’s creation.

Arqana chairman Georges Rimaud commented: “Since its inception back in 2006, Arqana has followed an amazing upward curve, of which the more than doubled annual turnover - as well as the Deauville sales complex’s impressive makeover - are striking testimonies. Such vibrant success could only be achieved thanks to the ever-growing support of buyers and vendors alike, which in turn pays tribute to the outstanding work carried out by all the Arqana team under Eric Hoyeau’s guidance.

“Eric has played a pivotal role in the company’s development, and I wish to extend my deepest gratitude, on behalf of all Arqana’s shareholders, now that he has opted to take a step back from his operational duties. Over the last few months, the directors of Arqana have worked jointly with Eric on his succession plan, and I am thrilled that Olivier Delloye, who was instrumental in the company’s early rise back in his days as managing director, has accepted to take over as CEO.”

Hoyeau added: “As CEO of Arqana, I have always strived to plan for the company’s future. In this perspective, I have been working ahead of my succession for the past few months to ensure Arqana’s shareholders, staff and clients have enough visibility regarding the company’s future governance. I believe that a thoroughly planned and anticipated succession can sustain trust, which is such a critical ingredient in the success of thoroughbred sales.

“I have been lucky to enjoy some wonderful years at the head of Arqana and feel proud of everything that has been accomplished by all those who have worked with me – I owe them so much. I am looking forward to maintaining a connection with Arqana and the industry I am still so passionate about by placing my experience at the disposal of Arqana’s directors and managers as senior advisor.”

Delloye said of his appointment: “I am thrilled and honoured to be joining Arqana once again, a company at which I spent 10 outstanding years before taking up the role of managing director at France Galop.

“I am very excited at the opportunity to work with such a talented and committed team. It is a privilege to rely on individuals of such high standard to develop Arqana further. The company’s success reflects that of the breeders, vendors and buyers who have been working year in, year out to produce and select horses to perform at the highest level in France and overseas, on the flat, over jumps as well as in standardbred racing.

“Arqana has contributed significantly to the international outreach of French racing and breeding and my personal commitment is to build on this momentum in the coming years to make the French racing and breeding industry ever stronger and attractive.”