New French auction house AKTEM, dedicated to Thoroughbred and Arabian racehorses, was launched earlier this month. The new sales company will hold its physical sales at Maisons-Laffitte, as well as having an online auction presence beginning in the new year.
Through an exclusive partnership with the French-based city of Maisons-Laffitte, AKTEM will benefit from the nearby racecourse and utlise the longest homestraight in Europe, which offers an ideal location and is perfectly suited infrastructure for hosting sales and welcoming horses and professionals. Recently renovated, the track offers optimal conditions for two-year-old breeze up sales.
ATKEM will open 10% of its capital in a cooperative approach. Set at €2,500, the shareholding entry will provide access to numerous opportunities, including: reduced entry fees for sales–€550 per horse for all sales, compared with €750 for
non-shareholders; deployment of shuttle services for horse transport to sales venues to facilitate logistics; and personalized communication support to promote the horses presented.
AKTEM will also be chartering flights from England and Ireland to facilitate the arrival of foreign buyers and maximise commercial opportunities. They will also offer premium hospitality for both people and horses. The 2026 sales dates are as follows:
- February 13, online sale featuring stallion shares and breeding rights
- May 15, Maisons-Laffitte: Grand Steeple-Chase Selection Sale featuring two-year-old stores and NH performers, on the eve of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris
- June 3, Maisons-Laffitte: Paris Breeze-Up Sale
- October 16, Maisons-Laffitte: NH 48 Hours Sale, featuring young National Hunt horses, ahead of the NH 48 hours at Auteuil
- September 8-9, Maisons-Laffitte: Flat Yearling Sale
- Purebred Arabian sales with the dates to be announced in partnership with AFAC
Said AKTEM's Sofiane Benaroussi who is an owner/breeder himself, “Since entering the horse racing industry in 2022, I have wanted to contribute by innovative initiatives to bring dynamism and attractiveness to this fascinating world. This is how GALORAMA, a 360° French media platform dedicated to horse racing, was first created within the Group. Noticing a decline in activity in certain segments of the racehorse auction market in France, and recognising the entrepreneurial opportunities this situation presents, the adventure expanded with a second, independent project: AKTEM. My hope is that this new venture benefits everyone — it's not about keeping the whole cake at the expense of others, but about sharing it so we can move forward together.
“With AKTEM, breeders can become true market players and take part in its revitalisation; investors gain a new, friendly, committed and agile entry point. The AKTEM team, currently being assembled, is eager to welcome the first sales. I would like to thank everyone involved in this project, as well as the City of Maisons-Laffitte, in particular Yann Quenot and Franck Lelièvre, who immediately embraced the idea and are exciting to join us on this journey toward 2026.”
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