Oct. 3 (Bloomberg) -- A London gallery owned by auction house Christie's International, Haunch of Venison, said it was excluded from returning this year to the Frieze Art Fair, which runs Oct. 11-14 in Regent's Park.

``This year the gallery was not selected for the fair,'' said Haunch of Venison spokeswoman Claire Walsh, in a telephone interview.

Haunch of Venison, a contemporary-art gallery, had exhibited at Frieze since the fair was launched in 2003, and wasn't given a reason for not being selected for 2007, Walsh said. The gallery may have been excluded because it is backed by an auction house that competes with dealers for customers, art experts said.

Frieze organizers and a spokesman didn't immediately respond to e-mails sent after hours in London seeking comment.

Haunch of Venison was bought by Christie's in February as part of a move to increase private sales of art outside the auction rooms, which can be more profitable than public sales. The loss of the gallery's stand at Frieze, the U.K.'s largest art fair, may be a setback for that plan.

The gallery ``is still run by the founding directors Harry Blain and Graham Southern and remains entirely independent,'' Walsh said.

Christie's spokesman Toby Usnik referred questions to Walsh at the gallery.