Henri-Francois Devin
Yesterday's piece with a selection of leaders in the French bloodstock community concluded with a teaser regarding the future stallion career of Daryz, the winner of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. Of course, there is a lot of water to pass under the bridge, and more Group 1s to be won, before a decision has to be made, but it will be a conversation all the same as to whether Daryz takes up residence at the Aga Khan family's Haras...
Henri Devin, who ran France's historic Haras du Mesnil with his wife Antonia, died at the age of 71 earlier this week. A noted owner-breeder, Devin inherited the stud from his grandparents, Jean and Elisabeth Couturie. Some of the best to call Mesnil home are the 2001 G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Terre A Terre (Kaldounevees), and G1 Hong Kong Vase and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Ange Gabriel (Kaldounevees). Another is G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Nonza (Zanzibar), who gave Devin's son, Henri-Francois, his first top-tier score as...
Listed winner Intellect (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) has been sold and left French shores for America on May 22, the Jour de Galop reported on Thursday. The deal was brokered by Hubert Guy. The 3-year-old colt, bred by Ecurie Michel Sardou, has never been worse than fourth in nine starts for Sophie, Antonia, and trainer Henri-Francois Devin. A three-time winner from six to seven furlongs, he landed the Listed Prix du Pont Neuf in front-running fashion over the latter distance at ParisLongchamp on Apr. 25. Out of winning Iffraaj (GB) mare...
Al Shaqab Racing's juvenile filly Balsam (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Bea Remembered {GB}, by Doyen {Ire}) was a two-race maiden heading into Wednesday's Listed Prix des Reves d'Or at Vichy and went home with a stakes rosette and a breakthrough success in the bag after denting a pair of unbeaten records. Balsam, let go as the 13-2 fourth choice of seven, was sharply into stride from the outside gate and occupied a prominent slot in second through halfway. Looming large on the bridle out wide to threaten the pacesetting 'TDN Rising...
Tuesday's Prix Parade d'Amour for unraced 3-year-old fillies at Saint-Cloud was the stage for the entry of the latest TDN Rising Star for Juddmonte and Frankel (GB) as Wensleydale (GB) cut a dash in the sunshine that preceded a wintry snowstorm. A daughter of the speedy G3 Ballyogan S. winner Divine (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the Henri-Francois Devin-trained chestnut was quickly away under Pierre-Charles Boudot before being restrained to track the leaders. Tanking her way to the front with two furlongs remaining, the 5-1 shot showed a sharp turn of...
Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Insights features a half-sister to G1SW Epicuris (GB) (Rail Link {GB}). 5.37 Deauville, Cond, €22,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT CAPTIOUS (GB) (Frankel {GB}) debuts in the Khalid Abdullah silks for the Henri-Francois Devin stable and is a half-sister to the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Epicuris (GB) (Rail...