French breeding

For most farms it is enough just to be introducing one new stallion to the market in a season. For Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe, that task is multiplied by three as the Normandy-based operation launches homebred Belbek (Fr) and Angel Bleu (Fr) at the same time as relaunching Mishriff (Ire) after a false start. It is unlikely that anyone has forgotten Mishriff but the stallion business is a fickle game. A misplaced kick to the wall of his stable at Haras de Montfort & Préaux at the beginning of the year...

'Depuis 1875' is proudly printed under the name of Haras de Meautry on the website of the renowned French nursery, and longevity is a key factor at the Rothschild family's stud in varied respects.  For almost 150 years, the  breeding of Thoroughbreds has taken place at the farm at Touques, just outside Deauville, which was at one stage part of an even greater operation and included land which is now occupied by an international showjumping centre in Deauville itself. The Rothschild family has been intrinsically linked not just to Normandy,...

One of the most passionate horsemen in France, Pierre Talvard began breeding over four decades ago from a caravan on a handful of acres. Today, his Haras du Cadran stretches over 400 hectares on the rolling Orne hills in Normandy, with 117 mares stationed on the farm. Over the last decade Cadran has been a regular name in the leading breeder lists in France, with graduates including French Derby winner and sire The Grey Gatsby (Fr), and Group 1 winners Gentoo (Fr) (Loup Solitaire {USA}), Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer (Ire}),...

If you are a breeder planning to board one or several mares in France, or an owner planning to race in that country, then the name of Charlotte André is one you might want to become familiar with. France has many well-documented assets, led by increased prize-money in 2022 and lucrative ßbonuses paid to the owners and breeders of horses raised in the country. This scheme is open to the progeny of stallions based in France and abroad and applies throughout a horse's racing career. But, as with all bonuses,...

German Horse of the Year Dschingis Secret (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}--Divya {Ger}, by Platini {Ger}) has arrived at Haras de Montaigu and will stand at the in Nonant-le-Pin-based stud for the 2022 season. Formerly at Haras de Saint Amoult, the 8-year-old, who will be represented by his first 2-year-olds in 2022, stood for €5,000 this season. Winner of the G3 St Leger Italiano and third in the G1 German Derby during his sophomore season, he won four races at the group level at four, including the G1 Longines Grosser Preis...

Nurlan Bizakov's breeding operation Sumbe has been expanded further with the purchase of Haras du Mézeray from the de Moussac family.  The acquisition of the 440-acre farm in Normandy follows the 2019 purchase of Haras de Montfort & Préaux, which is just 10 kms from Mézeray and is home to the Sumbe stallions Le Havre (Ire), Recorder (GB) and Golden Horde (Ire). The latter, who has just embarked on his first covering season, had his first mare scanned in foal on Thursday. Bizakov founded his breeding empire at Hesmonds Stud...

Group 1 winner Wooded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}-Frida La Blonde {Fr}, by Elusive City) has been retired and will stand at Haras de Bouquetot in France next year. A fee for the winner of the 2020 G1 Prix de l'Abbaye will be announced later. "Wooded stood out from the day he arrived for his good looks and ability and he was very sound, never missing a day's work," said trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. "In the G3 Prix Texanita he announced himself as a potential superstar and we were confident he would...