Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot in Normandy, home to eight stallions including the much-anticipated first-season sire Shalaa (Ire), will close the doors of its breeding shed beginning on Monday “for at least two weeks” as a means to fight the spread of COVID-19.
The stud said on a statement on its website on Friday that coverings already booked through Sunday will be honored, but no new bookings will be taken.
A statement on the Al Shaqab Racing website read, “Fully aware of the economical impact this decision may have on breeders, our priority remains the health and safety of our staff and clients, considering the gravity of this crisis and in accordance with all drastic measures recently taken across Europe.”
France came under a government-mandated lockdown on Tuesday. On Monday, the authorities for both flat racing and trotters in France collaborated to announce a complete shutdown of racing through Apr. 15. The breeding season has thus far been permitted to continue, with the ministry of agriculture having approved strict protocols later on Friday.
In addition to Shalaa, who was Europe's leading first-crop sire by average at the yearling sales last year, Bouquetot is home to Olympic Glory (Ire) and Toronado (Ire); G1 Investec Derby winner Ruler of the World (Ire), who is standing his first season in France this year; as well as Al Wukair (Ire), Ectot (GB), Mekhtaal (Fr) and Zelzal (Fr).
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