Sylvain Vidal

Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre), winner of the 2009 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and one of France's leading sires, has been retired at the age of 16 at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Préaux in Normandy. He has been hailed as "the most important horse of my life" by his owner Gérard Augustin-Normand. In a statement released on Saturday, Sumbe manager Mathieu Alex said, "Due to health issues which occurred at the end of last year, the decision was made to end his stallion career. We owe him so much...

The two-day Arqana February Sale came to a close on Tuesday with figures up across the board. After a strong opening session on Monday led by the €250,000 AQPS gelding Hardi Du Mesnil (Fr) (Masterstroke), the sale continued apace during Tuesday's session of fillies, mares and yearlings and was topped by the 5-year-old Princess Isla (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 309), who was bought by Anne-Sophie Yoh of Yohea for €110,000 on behalf of Xavier Marie of Haras de Hus. Marie is a more recent investor in racing stock and bought...

Trainer John Hammond, who trained G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heros Montjeu (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Suave Dancer (Green Dancer), has been appointed racing manager to Gerard Augustin-Normand, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. Sylvain Vidal remains an advisor to Augustin-Normand, who raced Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre) and stands him at Haras de Montfort et Preaux. The rest of the staff maintain their current positions. Augustin-Normand told the JDG regarding the appointment, "I always appreciated and followed the work of John Hammond. More recently, I have appreciated his human...