Almanzor to Remain in New Zealand

Almanzor (Fr), the European champion three-year-old of 2016 and the star of the first crop of Wootton Bassett (GB), will continue his stallion career solely at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.

Bred by Haras d'Etreham, where he has served his northern hemisphere stud career for the past seven seasons, Almanzor has proved more successful in Australasia, where he is the sire of nine Group 1 performers including the Victoria Derby winner Manzoice (Aus). He was also New Zealand's leading sire of juveniles and leading first-season-sire in 2021 and 2022.

“We have experienced an emotional ride with Almanzor, and he has been the symbol of a new dynamic within the stud, both from a breeding and stallion perspective,” said Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure.

“His victory in the 2016 Prix du Jockey Club represented a major exploit and a great joy for the whole Etreham team. A magnificent individual, he immediately appealed to Jean-Claude Rouget who purchased him as a yearling for more than 16 times the stud fee of his sire. Thanks to his exceptional performances, Almanzor remains the best son of Wootton Bassett.”

Among Almanzor's best performers in Europe are G2 Prix Niel runner-up Lassaut (Fr), the Group 1-placed Queen Trezy (Fr) and this season's G3 Prix de Psyche winner Almara (Fr). His first three crops each boast a ratio of over 45% winners to runners. He has 115 two-year-olds this year, 90 yearlings, and covered 80 mares in 2024.

De Chambure added, “Despite these solid statistics, it must be said that his production in the southern hemisphere is more successful and the market there is more favourable to him. Therefore, after six seasons of shuttling, it is logical for us to accept the offer from Cambridge Stud which will allow the stallion to remain in the hemisphere where he is the most successful. We wish them continued success for the future, and we would like to express our thanks to all the shareholders and breeders who have supported Almanzor during his covering seasons at Etreham.”