Haras de Bouquetot

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...

Melting frost drips uniformly from the thatch at Haras de la Huderie. The January sun is a penetrating golden disc above the historic timbers of Haras du Quesnay. A broodmare rolls in one of Haras de Colleville's open green spaces. Normandy's tree-lined lanes bask in the generous light. Haras de Bonneval's undulating pastures grace the eye, picture perfect. It is La Route des Etalons once again in all its glory, blessed by a rare weekend-long respite from winter's most ruinous elements. The centrepiece of it, the stallion himself, struts his...