By Emma Berry
On the back of the eagerly anticipated stallion fee announcements in Europe, Emma Berry spoke with a number of leading industry figures about value. Today we hear from Gwen Monneraye of La Motteraye Consignment.
EB: Who have you identified as a first-year stallion at an appealing opening fee?
GM: I really like Persian King (Ire). I know that at €30,000 he is not a bargain price, but he's a Classic winner from a good family and [his sire] Kingman (GB) is so hot, so we decided to buy a share in him. During the Arc, it wasn't really his type of race but he proved that he was tough and could stay beyond a mile. We are lucky to have some really good new stallions arriving in France. With Golden Horde (Ire) going to Montfort et Préaux, Wooded (Ire) at Haras de Bouquetot and Hello Youmzain (Fr) at Haras d'Etreham, we have three fast horses retiring to stud this year and I think that could suit our broodmare band by bringing a bit of speed, which we lack sometimes in France.
EB: Best value proven stallion, and why?
GM: I really like Sea The Moon (Ger). He has gone up to £22,500 but his statistics are amazing and I think the best is yet to come with this sire. I also think Mehmas (Ire) is good value, or he could prove to be good value in a few years' time. For what he has achieved in his first year, I think €25,000 could be a no-brainer.
EB: Who would you consider to be an under the radar stallion?
GM: I think this happens maybe more in England than in France but the older stallions somehow get left aside. That has happened a little for Oasis Dream (GB), who is now £20,000. We used him last year for a maiden mare. I always like to send our young mares to a proven stallion and I don't think you can go wrong at that price. He is also having some really good results as a broodmare sire now.
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