By Emma Berry
They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and much of the success of last weekend's Irish Stallion Trail can be attributed to its French forerunner La Route des Etalons, which took place for the first time in 2010.
Much has changed on the French stallion scene in the intervening years and when the studs of Normandy open their doors to breeders and the general public on Saturday morning they will have plenty to boast about.
Since Sea-Bird II (Fr) in 1965, no French-bred horse had won the Derby until last year when Wings Of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}) sprang a 40/1 upset at Epsom. Injury curtailed his season after the Irish Derby and he has returned to take up stallion duties at his birthplace Haras de Montaigu, where he will doubtless draw many visitors this weekend.
Wings Of Eagles is just one of more than 20 new stallions standing in France this season, with Al Shaqab's Haras de Bouquetot having had to extend its stallion yard to accommodate new arrivals Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead), last season's dual Classic winner Brametot (Fr) (Rajsaman {Fr}), Ectot (Ire) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and Zelzal (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), while Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who has his first runners this season, has also relocated from the National Stud in England to Bouquetot.
The German ranks have been depleted by the defection of Reliable Man (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) to Haras de Thenney and Pastorius (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) to Haras de la Hetraie, while the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval has welcomed a special homebred in Zarkava's Group 1-winning son Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who will stand alongside one of the country's leading stallions, Siyouni (Fr).
Haras de Montfort & Preaux is home to another popular French stallion, Le Havre (Ire) (Noverre), and has recently welcomed The Queen's homebred Recorder (GB), who is one of three sons of Galileo (Ire) to be retiring to stud in France this season along with The Anvil (Ire), who will stand at Haras de Grand Chesnaie, and Magenticjim (Ire). The latter joins Haras de la Haie Nueve, which will also stand the first son of War Front in France, the Claiborne Farm-bred Whitecliffsofdover.
Another enticing new addition to the stallion ranks of France is the treble Group 1 winner of 2016, Almanzor (Fr), who will stand alongside his sire Wootton Bassett (GB) at Haras d'Etreham.
Start times vary from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., and while most of the 24 participating farms are open throughout Saturday and Sunday, it's worth noting that Haras de Bonneval and Haras des Trois Chapelles are only open on Saturday, while the newlywed Julian Ince will open the doors of Haras du Logis, which has new boy Ultra (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) this season, on Sunday only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A full list of opening hours, and the 105 stallions who will be available for viewing, can be found at www.laroutedesetalons.com.
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