Route Des Etalons

PULLOUT PREVIEW Thursday, January 17, 2019

JANUARY 19-20

ROUTE DES ETALONS Your indispensable guide to France’s stallion showcase

Group 1 winner Cloth Of Stars boosts Haras du Logis roster Pages 4-5

Scott Burton on where to find ‘France’s most interesting crop of new sires’ Pages 8-9

Martin Stevens on the stallions not to be missed this weekend Pages 10-11

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

BLOODSTOCK SPECIAL ROUTE DES ETALONS

TIME TO GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD THE 2019 Route Des Etalons is sure to keep visitors to Normandy busy this weekend with no fewer than 25 studs opening their doors to show off the top equine talent inside.

Plenty of it there is too, with France’s stallion ranks swelling all the time with some of Europe’s best horses and this year is no exception.

Newcomers in 2019 include a couple of sons of Scat Daddy in Seahenge and Seabhac, the Group 1-winning miler Recoletos and the hugely talented Cloth Of Stars among many. In this guide, our team of experts will bid to point you in the right direction.

Our man in France, Scott Burton, spoke to the team at Haras de la Haie Neuve to get the lowdown on what he calls “the most interesting group of young sires in France”, with Seahenge joining Pedro The Great, Whitecliffsofdover and Magneticjim.

Scott also has more on Cloth Of Stars, who carried the Godolphin blue with distinction before retiring to Haras du Logis.

Elsewhere, Martin Stevens picks out six sires not to be missed during the Route Des Etalons weekend, including the resurgent Dream Ahead, who was given a huge boost in 2018 by the impressive Vintage Stakes winner Dark Vision.

We wish you an enjoyable and informative weekend in Normandy and all the very best too with the breeding season soon to get under way and the first foals starting to make their appearances across Europe.

Reliable Man is showcased at last year’s Route Des Etalons

MARK SCULLY GROUP BLOODSTOCK EDITOR

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Racing Post Thursday, January 17, 2019

MARK CRANHAM (RACINGPOST.COM/PHOTOS)

Recoletos: son of Whipper achieved Group 1 success in the Prix d’Ispahan and Prix du Moulin

Talented miler Recoletos the new draw at Quesnay ONE stop along the Route Des Etalons that is sure to be popular is the Head family’s Haras du Quesnay, thanks in no small part to the recruitment of the talented miler Recoletos.

One of two Pattern winners last season for his Highest Honor dam Highphar, the other being Castellar, Recoletos kept illustrious company for the majority of his 14-race career.

Raced once at two, the son of Whipper won his first two starts at three outside of stakes company and would never be seen out of Group class again, finishing outside the first four only three times against some of the most talented horses Europe has seen in recent years.

Third in the 2017 Prix du Jockey Club behind Brametot, he had to wait until the following year to claim his first Group 1 success, winning the Prix d’Ispahan by a length

and three-quarters from Almodovar.

The second top-level success came in last September’s Prix du Moulin and he was sent off at 7-2 when fifth on his final career start behind Roaring Lion, the most expensive new sire in Europe in 2019, in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October.

During a fine campaign, he got to within two and a half lengths of Alpha Centauri and defeated the likes of Expert Eye, Lightning Spear, Romanised and Accidental Agent.

Trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias was in no doubt as to the horse’s standing among his rivals in his native country, telling reporters during a press visit to his yard last summer: “In France, for sure, he’s the best.”

Recoletos hails from a speedy branch of the Mr Prospector sire line. His sire, Whipper, is by Miesque’s Son, a

brother to Kingmambo – both

by Mr Prospector and the mighty Miesque. His grandam, Pharatta, by Fairy King, won the Prix de Sandringham over a mile and was fourth in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

His third dam, Sharata, is a half-sister to the Epsom and Irish Derby winner Shahrastani.

He is not the only member of the Quesnay stallion roster likely to draw admiring glances, with Anodin already boasting plenty of fans thanks to the exploits of his first crop of juveniles last year.

His 50 runners produced 20 winners, including the Group 3 scorer Anodor and the Listed winner Harmless, all of which served to make him France’s leading first-season sire.

Acclamation’s son Attendu has his first foals on the ground in 2019 and the Quesnay quartet is rounded out by the 2005 Derby winner Motivator.

See THIS star...

CLOTH OF STARS Timeform 132

The best by Sea The Stars, a G1 juvenile and the first colt home in two Arcs. There’s only been one higher-rated horse to retire to stud in France since the 1980s.

COME AND SEE HIM and his stud companions at Haras du Logis on the Route des Étalons

NEW CLOTH OF STARS €7,500 Oct 1, SLF

Sea The Stars – Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo) Stands at Haras du Logis, France +33 (0)2 33 36 21 20 +44 (0)1638 730070 darleystallions.com

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

BLOODSTOCK SPECIAL ROUTE DES ETALONS SCOOPDYGA

Scott Burton HARAS DU LOGIS

T

HEY say you should judge a person by the company they keep, as well as by the character of the foes they confront.

The same thing could be said of racehorses and so, with Cloth Of Stars joining the everimproving ranks standing in Normandy for 2019, there is genuine excitement.

The son of Sea The Stars passes many of the key tests that act as gatekeepers to the top stud farms: by a top-class sire himself; a Group winner at two; a Group 1 winner at four in the Prix Ganay and a female family to die for.

But what the wider racing public will keep coming back to are those two heroic performances behind Enable in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2017 and 2018.

The mark earned by Cloth Of Stars at Chantilly in the first of those two attempts – 126 on Racing Post Ratings – means he is second only to Almanzor in recent memory in terms of achievement for a horse retiring to stand in France.

The man charged most directly with steering his nascent career is Julian Ince, the owner and driving force behind the ludicrously charming Haras du Logis at Louvieres-en-Auge, a village where the horses definitely outnumber the humans.

Ince is only too well aware that Cloth Of Stars is the type of horse who, until relatively recently, would have stood in Britain or Ireland before potentially coming to France later on.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have a horse with such a high rating,” says Ince. “His Arc exploits behind Enable make him just about the second highest [Timeform] rated horse to be retired to stud in France in the last 40 years. He was the first colt home in each of the last two Arcs, which is an amazing feat in itself.

“He comes from a good Niarchos family and is the highest-rated among them, and he is the best by Sea The Stars so, yes, he’s a very exciting horse.

“We’re delighted Sheikh Mohammed has sent him here to Logis and shown his continued support for the French stallion industry.”

Cloth Of Stars might chiefly occupy the space of champion older horse in the public imagination but Andre Fabre was not shy about trying him in high grade as a juvenile, when he won the Group 3 Prix des Chenes over a mile and then placed twice more, notably when runner-up in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Ince says: “Everybody will think of that longevity and it’s

Cloth Of Stars lands the Prix Greffulhe in 2016. “He’s the best horse we’ve had to start his career at Logis, that’s for sure,” says stud owner Julian Ince

Highly rated Cloth Of Stars an exciting newcomer to roster absolutely right but the one thing you have to remember with this horse is that he was a top-class two-year-old and that’s really the icing on the cake with him.”

There is a reminder of the potential for placed horses in the Arc to succeed at stud Cloth Of Stars’ family, given that his third dam is Northern Trick, herself runner-up to Sagace for Stavros Niarchos in the 1984 running.

The near family also boasts Shiva, Oaks heroine Light Shift and Ulysses, who finished directly behind Cloth Of Stars in the 2017 Arc. None of this has been missed by breeders hoping to use Cloth Of Stars in his first year at Logis.

“We’re in the lucky position that he’s been exceedingly popular and so we’re now going through mares to try and limit his numbers, rather than looking for mares,” says Ince.

“We decided as with a lot of our stallions to offer 30-odd breeding rights and they were sold within 24 hours.”

‘Works well for both sides’

To welcome such an illustrious prospect at the start of his career is a far cry from Ince’s introduction to standing a horse and working with Darley.

“The farm was pretty much full after I’d been here about a year and I was getting a bit bored, so I went to Sheikh Mohammed’s team and asked them about purchasing a horse,” he says. “That deal fell through but they told me they

‘The one thing you have to remember with this horse is that he was a topclass two-year-old and that’s really the icing on the cake with him’

were changing policy and were looking to stand stallions rather than sell them.

“I put in an offer to stand the horse and they looked at it and we were lucky enough to get a horse called Medaaly here and that was our first horse for Darley, 20 years ago now.

“It works well for both sides and we do everything we can to make the operation and the stallions successful.”

The story ever since has been one of gradually attempting to upgrade the calibre of horse standing at Logis.

Ince adds: “In the beginning we targeted the very best sons of the best French sires, hence a horse like Medaaly who was the best son of Highest Honor.

Then we looked to improve the quality of the horses coming in with horses like King’s Best who had already produced Group 1 winners in Britain and Ireland.

“We took Authorized [from Dalham Hall in 2014] and Manduro [from Kildangan in 2012] because we felt the race

programme in France was far more suitable for those types of horses.

“Cloth Of Stars is the best horse we’ve had to start his career at Logis, that’s for sure, and he’s perfectly suited to the French race programme, having been a Group winner at two before progressing to a mile and a quarter and then a mile and a half.”

Cloth not the only star

Regulars on the Route des Etalons will not only be keen to look at Cloth Of Stars but to reacquaint themselves with the rest of Ince’s roster, including “champion du monde” Manduro and his son Ultra – winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2015 for Godolphin and Fabre – who debuted on the trail 12 months ago and whose first foals are imminent.

“We sold 30-odd breeding rights with him too and that went very well, while the breeders have supported him with some top-class mares,” says Ince.

“Physically he has developed into a wonderful-looking horse who is as impressive as his father.

“Again he was a top twoyear-old from a good family and he’s a horse we’re very excited about.”

Ince remains a fervent supporter of Manduro and believes breeders are beginning to appreciate the son of Monsun much more.

He says: “The marketplace is a funny place and doesn’t always reflect the results and the quality of the horses a stallion has been producing.

That’s possibly been the case a little bit with Manduro over the last few years but now things have certainly turned around.

“He’s had a great standard bearer in Vazirabad but there are also horses such as Ultra and [Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner] Mandaean who, like a lot of his stock, have performed well in France.

“And in the last year he has had a few horses perform very well over jumps, which means

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Racing Post Thursday, January 17, 2019

JOHN REARDON

Authorized in the beautiful surroundings of Haras du Logis, where the roster also includes Manduro and his chestnut son Ultra (below left) along with the promising Hunter’s Light (below right) MARC RÜHL

JOHN REARDON

Fabre’s view ‘He’s the ideal type of thoroughbred’ AS with his near neighbours at the Haras du Logis, Manduro, Ultra and Masterstroke, Cloth Of Stars was guided throughout his career by master trainer Andre Fabre.

In 2017 and 2018 the son of Sea The Stars ended the season as the top-rated horse in France and Fabre has no doubts as to what made him such a big talent on the track, traits that breeders will hope he can bequeath to his progeny.

“His great strength was his acceleration, that change of pace. For a mile-and-ahalf horse, he had a real ability to quicken.

“There’s also his lovely conformation. For me he’s the ideal type of thoroughbred: not too big, not too heavy. He was sound and really one of my favourite types of horse.

“He won Group races at all ages and, although he didn’t handle going to Dubai, he came back to form at the right moment for the Arc.” he has become popular not only as a sire of two-year-olds but also with the jumps boys.”

If the jumping fraternity are beginning to catch on to Manduro – through the exploits of horses like Rashaan for Colin Kidd and the Francois Nicolle-trained Porto Pollo – then the cat has long been out of that particular bag about Authorized.

Ince says the 2007 Derby

winner began at Logis with about a 70-30 split in favour of Flat-bred covers but now has around the same numbers in favour of future National Hunt stock.

“Looking at last year alone, in February he produced a Group 1 winner [Hartnell] over 1,400 metres [seven furlongs] in Australia and then, less than two months later, he got the winner of the

Grand National in Tiger Roll.

“He’s done everything and he can produce every type of horse on any ground, over any distance. We’re delighted to have him and he’s delighted to be here. He’s very settled into his French way of life.”

‘Very exciting horse’

Ince points to the preponderance of ownerbreeders in France as evidence

for the popularity of horses like the three Logis inmates priced at €4,000, namely Masterstroke, Bow Creek and Hunter’s Light.

While stallion masters are supposed to be as impartial with their horses as their children, there is no mistaking the enthusiasm Ince has for Hunter’s Light, whom he feels might be able to break out from that lower-priced bracket.

“He has his first two-yearolds [this season] and was our first Darley Club horse, with nearly 100 mares coming into him just for the club, while at the same time we sell nominations to him as well.

“I think he’s going to be a very exciting horse in the future as an excellent son of Dubawi from a good family, the family of Darshaan.

“If you look at all the sons of

Dubawi at stud today, there are only Hunter’s Light, Postponed and Al Kazeem that have won three or more Group 1s.

“He’s going to have to do it the hard way but, with his pedigree and his performance, as well as numbers on the ground, I’m quite excited about Hunter’s Light. He looks to me like a horse who could come through.”

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

LA ROUTE DES ETALONS

WHERE TO FIND THE STUDS

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Racing Post Thursday, January 17, 2019

1. ANNEBAULT

Contact Details: E: ha.ebm@yahoo.com Phone: +33 (0)6 20 91 36 59 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.30 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.30 - 17.00 Stallions: Guignol, Luck of the Kitten, Waldpark, Spanish Moon, Ivanhowe, Reliable Man, Pomellato

2. BERNESQ

Contact Details: E: haras-de-bernesq@wanadoo.fr Phone: 02 31 22 48 96 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 08.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 08.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 Stallion: Hannouma

3. BONNEVAL

Contact Details: E: information@agakhanstuds.com Phone: 02 31 48 18 60 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30 20 Jan: Closed Stallions: Dariyan, Siyouni, Zarak

4. BOUQUETOT

Contact Details: E: contact@bouquetot.com Phone: 02 31 33 38 91 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.00 - 16.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 16.00 Stallions: Style Vendome, Toronado, Zelzal, Mekhtaal, Al Wukair, Brametot, Ectot, Olympic Glory, Shalaa

5. COLLEVILLE

Contact Details: E: contact@harasdecolleville.com Phone: 06 59 53 99 31 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 Stallions: Kendargent, Galiway, Goken

6. CROIX SONNET

Contact Details: E: haras-de-la-croix-sonnet@wanadoo.fr Phone: 06 07 22 52 76 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.30 - 16.00 20 Jan: 09.30 - 16.00 Stallions: Machucambo, Khalkevi, Walzertakt

7. ETREHAM

Contact Details: E: champion@etreham.com Phone: 06 07 23 36 46 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30 Stallions: Almanzor, Elusive City, Saint des Saints, Scissor Kick, Wootton Bassett

8. GRANDCAMP

Contact Details: E: ielhermite@wanadoo.fr Phone: 06 87 82 12 76 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.30 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.30 - 17.00 Stallions: Lawman, Shamalgan, Sumbal, Chemical Charge, American Devil, Dabirsim, Dream Ahead, Martinborough

9. HAIE NEUVE

Contact Details: E: harasdelahaieneuve@orange.fr Phone: +33 (0)6 40 55 19 06 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 17.00 Stallions: Seahenge, Pedro the Great, Whitecliffsofdover, Magneticjim

10. HÊTRAIE

Contact Details: E: haraslahetraie@orange.fr Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 Stallions: George Vancouver, Great Pretender, Kapgarde, Kap Rock, Pastorius, Top Trip, Bathyrhon

11. HOGUENET

Contact Details: E: haras@hoguenet.com Phone: 02 31 63 55 57 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 Stallions: Dastharon, Manatee, Montmartre, Penny’s Picnic

12. HUDERIE

Contact Details: E: beranger.bussy@wanadoo.fr Phone: 06 81 59 97 94 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 17.00 Stallion: Birchwood

13. LOGIS

Contact Details: E: harasdulogis@orange.fr Phone: 06 03 52 05 64 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.30 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.30 - 17.00 Stallions On View: Cloth of Stars, Authorized, Bow Creek, Hunter’s Light, Manduro, Masterstroke, Ultra

14. LOGIS SAINT GERMAIN

21. QUESNAY

Contact Details: E: logisstgermain@wanadoo.fr Phone: 02 31 79 23 61 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 Stallion: French Fifteen

Contact Details: E: v.rimaud@lequesnay.com Phone: 02 31 14 44 00 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.30 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 14.00 Stallions: Recoletos, Anodin, Attendu, Motivator

15. LONRAY

22. ROSETGRI

16. MEZERAY

23. SAINT ARNOULT

Contact Details: E: earlharasdelonray@gmail.com Phone: 06 86 10 51 62 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.30 - 16.00 20 Jan: 10.30 - 16.00 Stallions: Creachadoir, Kikujirou

Contact Details: E: haras@mezeray.com Phone: 02 33 39 12 87 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.30 - 16.00 20 Jan: 09.30 - 16.00 Stallions: Taareef, De Treville, Muhtathir, Myboycharlie

17. MONTAIGU

Contact Details: E: harasrm@wanadoo.fr Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 Stallions: No Risk At All, Literato, Night Wish, Prince Gibraltar

18. MONFORT & PREAUX

Contact Details: E: malex@lacauviniere.com Phone: 06 20 99 10 15 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 09.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 09.00 - 16.00 Stallions: Le Havre, Recorder

19. MONT GOUBERT

Contact Details: E: contact@harasdumontgoubert.com Phone: 02 31 79 82 10 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 17.00 Stallions: Kingfisher, Morandi, Triple Threat

20. PETIT TELLIER

Contact Details: E: p.cherdeville@icloud.com Phone: 06 08 83 27 62 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30pm 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30pm Stallions: Mr Owen, Elvstroem, Meshaheer, The Grey Gatsby

Contact Details: E: rosetgri.stud@hotmail.fr Phone: 06 13 71 43 34 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 Stallions: Saintgodrel, Green Bell

Contact Details: E: info@haras-de-saint-arnoult.com Phone: 06 27 60 21 09 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.00 Stallions: Dschingis Secret, Seabhac, Captain Marvelous, Sommerabend, Stormy River

24. TUILERIE

Contact Details: E: harasdelatuilerie@gmail.com Phone: +33 (0)2 33 16 71 45 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30 20 Jan: 10.00 - 16.30 Stallions: Masked Marvel, Kamsin

25. VICTOT

Contact Details: E: harasdevictotpontfol14@gmail.com Phone: +33 (0)6 15 42 21 05 Opening Hours: 19 Jan: 10.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 20 Jan: 10.00 - 12.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 Stallions: Kingsalsa, Vatori, Gemix, My Risk

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

BLOODSTOCK SPECIAL ROUTE DES ETALONS

Scat Daddy’s Seahenge boosts US influence for speed Scott Burton HARAS DE LA HAIE NEUVE

F

OR visitors heading from the Channel ports or based for the weekend of the Route des Etalons in Deauville, the Haras de la Haie Neuve represents something of a final frontier.

Located midway between Laval and Rennes, this is both the most southerly and most westerly stallion station on the trail.

But there is plenty of incentive to make the extra effort, as Tangi Saliou and his team have one of the most interesting group of young sires in France, with Pedro The Great quickly establishing himself as a surprise package and the newly arrived Seahenge offering a chance for breeders to tap into a Group 2-winning son of Scat Daddy.

Saliou took over the farm from Alain Regnier at the beginning of 2018, with the previous proprietor keen to have an injection of youthful enthusiasm.

Regnier still keeps his own broodmares on site and Saliou and wife Dorothee haven’t departed radically from the Haie Neuve imprint of speed and toughness in acquiring three stallions in their first two years to go with Pedro The Great. War Front’s son Whitecliffsofdover was a newcomer in 2018 and Saliou can now boast three former Ballydoyle runners as well as three stallions with plenty of US blood coursing through their veins.

“There still needs to be some evidence of performing in Europe,” says Saliou, whose adventures in bloodstock have taken him via the former National Stud at Le Lion d’Angers, followed by six years with the Haras de Montaigu.

“The advantage with Scat Daddy is that they go on every type of ground and all surfaces – dirt or turf. It’s extraordinary really. But it’s hard with American pedigrees if they don’t have that [European experience].”

Always quick to spread the praise around, Saliou says both he and Regnier have their partnership with Narvick International’s Emmanuel de Seroux to thank for such a privileged relationship with Coolmore.

Seahenge proved himself a potential future stallion prospect at two when landing the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, backing that up with third place in US Navy Flag’s Dewhurst.

His three-year-old career may have suffered slightly from being campaigned alongside Mendelssohn on dirt in Dubai and the US, but Saliou wasted little time once the offer to acquire him came along.

“We’ve been after a son of Scat Daddy for some time and were interested in Sioux Nation, though the price was

‘There aren’t many Scat Daddys available and, when we learned Seahenge was an option, the deal was done in a few hours. I think he’ll work well for us’

beyond us,” says Saliou. “We also looked at a son of his who stands in Chile but I think it would have been difficult for him in Europe and he was also pretty expensive, having won a Group 1 down there.

“There aren’t many Scat Daddys available and, when we learned Seahenge was an option, the deal was done in a few hours.”

Seahenge was a $750,000 yearling at Keeneland and boasts a thoroughly stateside pedigree, being out of a blacktype mare in Fools In Love, who is by the Mr Prospector sire Not For Love.

“He corresponds very well with the broodmares we have here and Alain and Emmanuel have always chosen stallions primarily on the basis of what suited their breeding and their band of mares,” says Saliou.

“We’re delighted with Seahenge, who is a magnificent horse and who I think will work well for us.

We’ve already had plenty of bookings.”

Some stallion masters with the luxury of standing a proven champion on the track might like to limit the early books with one eye to longevity but at La Haie Neuve you are always expected to pay for your keep.

“It’s like with young people, you have to put them to work.

Our stallions will work hard, don’t worry about that. When I was at Montaigu I worked with Martaline as well as Balko and No Risk At All. I’d reserve 150 covers for a stallion with no problem.”

Seahenge will debut at €5,000 this year, whereas Pedro The Great spent his first three seasons covering at a fee of €3,000. It’s little surprise the son of Henrythenavigator was stepped up to €5,000 in 2017 and this year heads the roster at €10,000.

In France, the 74 runners from his first two crops to reach racing age have already

accrued 62 wins and he was ranked leading second-season sire in the country by percentage of winners with a 51 per cent strike-rate.

Pedro The Great’s flagbearer has been Fatale Bere, who was Listed-placed for Joel Boisnard but really took off when purchased privately to race for Leonard Powell in California.

The highlight of three wins on turf for Powell came in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks, while this month Fatale Bere was lighting up the salesboard at Keeneland, with Shadai Farm the winning bidder at $700,000.

“Pedro is a real improver of stock,” says Saliou. “When you look at the details he has a lot to offer. He has that highly prized Kingmambo blood, which is certainly what Teruya Yoshida was looking for. He has an exceptional dam [Glatisant] who also produced Footstepsinthesand.”

From limited chances Pedro The Great is far from a one-hit

wonder: Lagrandecatherine was an unlucky-in-running fourth in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac, having already finished second in the Prix du Calvados; Bonita Fransisca was also twice placed at Group level while Feralia lifted the Listed Criterium du Bequet.

The arrival of Saliou in 2018 coincided with two new stallions, with Whitecliffsofdover and jumping prospect Magneticjim proving an instant hit in terms of numbers.

He says: “Whitecliffsofdover covered 93 mares in 2018 and you won’t find many stallions in France with a pedigree like his. His dam is a full-sister to Pulpit and is from the family of Tale Of The Cat and Johannesburg. It’s an exceptional family. He was third in a Group 1 [the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere] and, had he won one, we couldn’t have afforded him.

“He’s magnificent as a

specimen and War Front is, in my opinion, along with Galileo, the best stallion currently active in the world.

He has been very successful in Europe as well as the US and we’re thrilled to have his son.”

With three potential sources of speed and precocity, all boasting deep American roots and representing – in the case of Scat Daddy and War Front – two stallion lines breeders have shown a near unlimited appetite for, the new team at La Haie Neuve have wasted little time in making a determined statement.

Saliou says: “I never look back too much because if you get stuck in reflecting on the past, you never achieve much.

You have to make things happen for yourself and I was like that, even when I was much younger. All the people I’m close to who have succeeded in life have been prepared to take risks.”

In the case of Magneticjim – a well-bought and useful

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Racing Post Thursday, January 17, 2019

MARTIN LYNCH (RACINGPOST.COM/PHOTOS)

MARK CRANHAM (RACINGPOST.COM/PHOTOS)

Seahenge (main picture, right) wins the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and now becomes the third stallion formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien to stand at Haras de la Haie Neuve, alongside Whitecliffsofdover (top) and Pedro The Great

performer on the Flat for Pascal Bary before winning over hurdles with Alain Couetil – there may have been less upfront financial risk. But Saliou is hugely enthusiastic about a horse with whom he has plenty of shared history.

“I foaled Magneticjim when I was at Montaigu and he was then sold for €500,000. The dam, Dibenoise, is from a family of stallion producers both on the Flat and over jumps. I followed his racing career very closely and when he came up for sale I looked for some partners and we were able to get him.

“He was full up the first year, covering 115 mares. He was a very accessible price but I find generally that it’s better to start off like that and get plenty of foals on the ground, rather than starting off at a higher price and getting fewer covers. I think he’ll be popular again because he’s a beautifullooking horse. Around here he is known as Magnifique Jim.”

American dreaming More new US blood on the Route by hot duo Scat Daddy and Kitten’s Joy LA HAIE NEUVE is not the only farm in France to have acquired a son of Scat Daddy, with Haras de SaintArnoult’s Larissa Kneip now standing Seabhac, a name probably not too familiar to European eyes but who was a Grade 3 winner on the Belmont turf for Todd Pletcher as a juvenile.

Out of a Curlin half-sister to Afleet Alex, Seabhac is being offered at €5,000 in 2019.

Kitten’s Joy enjoyed a landmark season in Europe in 2018 as well as the US, where he was leading sire for the second time, and his son Taareef should prove popular at Haras du Mezeray, where he is being launched at €6,000.

Taareef was a tough and classy miler for Shadwell and Jean-Claude Rouget over four seasons, twice running away with the biggest allage miling prize over Arc weekend, the Prix Daniel Wildenstein.

His sire’s progeny have thrived in France from limited opportunities

and, with Vita and Niccolo Riva having moved their operation European Bloodstock Management from Haras du Thenney to Haras d’Annebault, Kitten’s Joy has another stallion string to his bow in France with the arrival of Luck Of The Kitten, who boasts the same Giant’s Causeway cross as Eclipse and Sheema Classic hero Hawkbill.

Luck Of The Kitten’s best performance was when chasing home Wesley Ward stablemate Hootenanny in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and he will stand for €3,500, joining EBM’s roster stars Reliable Man and Spanish Moon in a seven-strong line-up at Annebault.

And one from a different vintage . . .

Elusive City may have made his career on the racetrack with Gerald Butler but Haras d’Etreham’s Prix Morny hero, who has just turned 19, is an all-American boy.

Seabhac, winning a Grade 3 at Belmont Park, will stand at Haras de Saint-Armoult

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

BLOODSTOCK SPECIAL ROUTE DES ETALONS

Martin Stevens

SIX TO SEE EN ROUTE Dream Ahead

Pedigree: 11yo bay Diktat - Land Of Dreams (Cadeaux Genereux) Stands: Haras de Grandcamp A visit to Haras de Grandcamp offers the opportunity to view a horse who made headline news on the track and has proved a more than capable sire at stud.

Dream Ahead is one of few who could claim to have been an equal of Frankel – as a juvenile at least, when he was recognised as Europe’s jointchampion two-year-old alongside the future dual world champion after landing the Middle Park Stakes by nine lengths.

At three the son of Diktat played his part in turf history when he was partnered by Hayley Turner to win the July Cup, becoming the first outright Group 1 scorer in Britain ridden by a female jockey. Later that season he added the Haydock Sprint Cup and Prix de la Foret – at the expense of Goldikova – to his resume.

Initially retired to Ballylinch Stud, he has supplied Group 1 hero Al Wukair, talented sprinter Donjuan Triumphant and last season’s impressive Vintage Stakes winner Dark Vision. He has been leased to stand at Grandcamp since 2017, so his first French-conceived crop are yearlings.

Elvstroem

18yo bay Danehill - Circles Of Gold (Marscay) Haras du Petit Tellier It’s surprising what you can stumble upon as you drive around Normandy on the Route des Etalons. At Haras du Petit Tellier you will find a bona fide superstar of the Australian racing scene in Elvstroem.

The son of Danehill won the Victoria Derby, Underwood Stakes, Caulfield Cup and CF Orr Stakes down under and proved his mettle on the international stage when he took the scalps of Alexander Goldrun, Alkaadhem and Right Approach to land the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba.

Elvstroem has supplied Group 1 winner Hucklebuck and Group 2 scorers Carrara, Go The Knuckle and Outback Joe from his early career standing in Australia, and he moved to France in 2016.

His first French-bred yearlings went through the ring last year and they made as much as €100,000, the amount Gerard Larrieu paid for a half-brother to Listed winner High Alpha at Arqana in October.

Essential destinations on Normandyy road trip

Kapgarde

20yo bay Garde Royale - Kaprika (Cadoudal) Haras de la Hetraiee ong been Kapgarde has lo recognised as a fine source of jumpers and hiss fee in 2019 2,000 – a hefty has risen to €12 on standing in sum for a stallio this sphere. Thee price is n you consider warranted when he has supplied the likes of Alisier D’Irlandee, Garde La d Thomas, Mr Victoire, Milord and Ultragold.

Thriller, Ubak a But recently K Kapgarde’s reputation has rrisen to a new level. That is because he is the Des Obeaux, the source of Clan D easy winner of tthe King George VI Chasee last month, and thatt horse’s stablemate Flic Ou Voyou, who has won his last two bumper

starts in comprehensive fashion.

Also over the Christmas period the stallion’s son Cuneo took a valuable handicap hurdle at Leopardstown for

Henry de Bromhead, while ea arlier in the month the same trainer’s A Plus Tard was an eyyecatching winner of a beeginners’ chase at Naas.

The sire is a half-brother to th he high-class hurdler Geos an nd another of their siblings, Ka ap Rock, stands alongside Ka apgarde at Hetraie.

Kap Rock has provided Gu uillaume Macaire’s smart pa air Onsaijamais and Sharock ass well as Alan King’s dual bu umper winner Criq Rock.

M Manduro

Clan Des Obeaux: latest jumps star for Kapgarde

1 17yo brown Monsun M Mandellicht (Be My Guest) Haras du Logis A true great of the turf – a world champion, no less – is avvailable to view at Haras du Lo ogis, where Darley’s Frenchba ased stallions are heeadquartered.

Manduro was deemed the beest racehorse on the planet in

2007 after storming to victory in the Prix d’Ispahan, Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois, and throughout his career he showed rare versatility to win Group races between a mile and 12 furlongs on going ranging from good to firm to very soft. No wonder Andre Fabre hailed him as one of the best he has trained.

The son of Monsun has not set the world alight as a stallion, but he is the source of popular stayer Vazirabad among five European Group 1 winners – a group that also includes Manduro’s studmate at Logis, Ultra.

Manduro is, unsurprisingly considering his profile, emerging as a useful sire of jumpers. Just last month his son Man Of Plenty landed a Listed handicap hurdle at Sandown, while Anemoi and War Brigade impressed

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Racing Post Thursday, January 17, 2019

JOHN REARDON

The striking Manduro at Haras du Logis

‘Manduro is emerging as a useful sire of jumpers. Just last month his son Man Of Plenty landed a Listed handicap hurdle at Sandown’

HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE RACING POST DIGITAL NEWSPAPER? 24

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when scoring in novice hurdles.

He is also the damsire of last year’s surprise 1,000 Guineas heroine Billesdon Brook.

Pedro The Great

9yo bay Henrythenavigator Glatisant (Rainbow Quest) Haras de la Haie Neuve Pedro The Great proved to be one of the surprise packages among the young French stallion brigade. By one 2,000 Guineas winner – Henrythenavigatorr – and a other in half-brother to ano d, his first Footstepsinthesand m modest two crops bred from chances have yielded aks Grade 1 Del Mar Oa heroine Fatale Beree, Listed winner Feralia and narrowly beateen ac Prix Marcel Boussa fourth Lagrandecatherinee.

Another notable runner by the n stallion is the Kevin Great Heir, a Ryan-trained The G 2 yearling €33,000 Arqana V2 purchase by Stepheen Hillen 50,000 pot who scooped a £15 for winning the Weeatherbys Racing Bank £300,,000 2yo Stakes at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting in September.

Pedro The Great has earned 10,000 at a fee increase to €1 Haras de la Haie Neeuve for The Great Heir: big earner

by Pedro The Great

2019, up from an opening price of €3,000 and €6,000 last year.

He looks set to receive a decent book of mares in terms of quality and quantity.

Haie Neuve boasts an intriguing roster of exciting young names by notable sires.

Whitecliffsofdover, a son of War Front, and Magneticjim,

by Galileo, retired there in 2018, and Seahenge, a Champagne Stakes winner by Scat Daddy, is introduced this year.

Seabhac

4yo bay/brown Scat Daddy - Curlin Hawk (Curlin) Haras de Saint-Arnoult Stallion masters across the world have been busy snapping up sons of Scat Daddy as the late Kentucky phenomenon has looked like a potential breedshaper.

Not only was Scat Daddy an exceptional conduit of class in his own right – his runners in 2018 included US Triple Crown laureate Justify and Group 1-win nning juvenile filly Skitter Scattter – but his first signiificant son at stud, No Nay Neveer, was Europe’s champion first--season sire last year and delivvered the unbeaten Middle Park k Stakes winner Ten Soveereigns.

Ha aras de Saint-Arnoult has this year y managed to secure Seab bhac, who beat the classy pair Voting Control and Mara aud to land the Grade 3 Pilgrrim Stakes at Belmont Park for Todd T Pletcher at two.

Seabhac has more in his pedig gree to recommend him than n just the identity of his sire, as he is out of a mare who b the excellent Curlin and is by is a half-sister to Preakness an nd Belmont victor Afleet Aleex.

Seabhac’s fellow newcomer to Sa aint-Arnoult, the well-bred Germ man Group 1 winner Dsch hingis Secret, will also makee a trip to the stud wort worthwhile.

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Thursday, January 17, 2019 racingpost.com

Almanzor EUROPEAN CHAMPION IN 2016

35.000€ L.F.

© Photo : Haras Etreham

1st foals in 2019

1 st Criterium de Bordeaux L. at 2 - 1 st Prix du Jockey Club Gr.1 - 1 st Irish Champion Stakes Gr.1 - 1 st Champion Stakes Gr.1 Filly ex Quara by Pivotal

Nicolas de Chambure +33 (0)6 24 27 06 42 Franck Champion +33 (0)6 07 23 36 46

01/2019

“Probably the best book of mares ever bred by a freshman sire in France“

HIS 1 ST FOAL HAS ARRIVED! “Well balanced and full of class“