Haras de Colleville

Setting aside the disappointment that most of us won't actually be able to attend race meetings, June is promising to be a stellar month of action after a prolonged spell of inactivity. France has eased us back into the idea of being able to watch live European racing with a week of informative meetings, including a number of trials and juvenile contests, and Ireland was given a boost by government on Friday when it was confirmed that racing could begin again on June 8. In theory, British racing will start...

Alain Chopard's homebred bay Livachope (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) became the first winner for her Haras de Colleville-based freshman sire (by Kendargent {Fr}) when annexing a five-furlong debutantes' heat at Chantilly. 3rd-Chantilly, €22,000, Mdn, 5-13, unraced 2yo, f, 5fT, :58.99, g/s. LIVACHOPE (FR) (f, 2, Goken {Fr}--Laia Chope {Fr} {SP-Fr}, by Soave {Ger}) recovered from a slightly awkward getaway to track the pace in a handy third after the initial exchanges of this unveiling. Shaken up with 300 metres remaining, the 21-2 chance launched her challenge passing the furlong marker and...

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...